Technical Steering noise when turning

[Vesuvius79]

Hi all. I bought my Panda 1.1 new in 2004 and it has 20k on the clock. Yesterday I noticed a noise when turning the steering wheel. The noise is hard to describe and every word I can think of makes the noise sound worse than it is, Im just hoping someone knows what I mean which I know may be difficult. The noise isnt very loud, its only slight as when I heard it I couldn't tell where it was coming from. Anyway, the steering doesnt feel any different and there is no warning light.

Any idea what this problem could be or is it nothing to worry about? Anything I can do to check anything?

Thanks guys!

 

[Pandablues]

It might help a little if you gave a clue as to where you're hearing the noise from - in the cab, the front of the car, at the wheels.......? Does it happen when the vehicle is moving or stationary? And if the later, then stop doing it, you'll ruin the component parts.
If it sounds vaguely like someone winding a rusty spring in a steel bowl of rusty parts, it's perfectly normal and you can ignore it. Happy Christmas.

 

[Vesuvius79]

Thanks for your reply.

As I said in my original post, it is coming from the steering wheel, when I turn the steering wheel left and right. I'm not going to turn the steering wheel while the car is stationary. I dont think the noise sounds "rusty", kind of whining or something :/

Happy Christmas xx

 

[Andy Monty]

Does this happen when moving at slow speeds doing a lot of turning (eg parking) no harm in testing it with a bit of dry steering, if your that worried park it on 2 shopping bags which should slip a little


if it sounds like a busted spring on a bed chances are it could be a strut top bearing....

with the help of an assistant get them to slowly turn the wheel lock to lock, and feel the coil spring if it judders and sticks rather than moves smoothly that could be your problem (it often goes away in wet weather as road spray lubricates the bearings)

 

[Vesuvius79]

Thanks for your reply.

Well, Im about to take a short drive out and will test what you say and get back to you.

There is no busted spring noise. Its a smooth, constant, low kind of humming/whining JUST when I turn corners/roundabouts. I wish I could describe it better :/

 

[Vesuvius79]

Ok, I turned the steering wheel from lock to lock while the engine was running, all I heard was the same smooth noise. I felt nothing odd. I then put my ear the the steering wheel and the noise seems to be coming from the inside. If this makes sense, it seems to be coming from where the steering wheel is attached to the part where the indicators are.

 

[Pandablues]

Well, ours does make what seems a similar noise to yours except I reckon it's like a rusty spring. Honestly don't think you need to worry about it. Or just avoid turning corners

 

[Vesuvius79]

lol thanks a lot. I hope it is nothing to worry about. I guess I'll just keep an eye/ear to it and hope it doesnt get worse. Many thanks xx