Steering groan

[gravitylover]

When I turn the wheel there is a noticeable groan that happens twice in each direction. There is a vibration associated with it that can be felt through the pedals which leads me to think lubrication issue where the shaft goes through the firewall. When the vibration happens while driving, rather than just at parking lot speeds, there is a distinct resistance that's somewhat disconcerting. I never had it until this recent cold spell but with the warmer temps yesterday and today it didn't go away. Any idea what this might be and should I be worried enough to find a different car to drive until it goes into the dealer on Wednesday?

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by gravitylover

When I turn the wheel there is a noticeable groan that happens twice in each direction. There is a vibration associated with it that can be felt through the pedals which leads me to think lubrication issue where the shaft goes through the firewall. When the vibration happens while driving, rather than just at parking lot speeds, there is a distinct resistance that's somewhat disconcerting. I never had it until this recent cold spell but with the warmer temps yesterday and today it didn't go away. Any idea what this might be and should I be worried enough to find a different car to drive until it goes into the dealer on Wednesday?

Have you "slammed" the front end into anything (like a curb) lately ..??

hmmmm........assuming it's not the power steering unit itself, you might check:

* to make sure you don't have a bad (separated) tire in the front (a rotation would check that)

* I'd jack up the front and see if there is any excess wheel bearing/spindle play, comparing one side to the other

* an alignment check may be in order

OR, do it the humfrz way ....... take it up to my local auto shop, mention to Bubba that something is wrong with the steering on my car, have them run me home, where I will take a nap, and ask them to call me when it's fixed.


humfrz

[stevesnj]

Could be the assist motor having issues.

[strat61caster]

Is it stock? I had a groaning noise that was my camber plate rubbing on itself, no resistance though.

Assist motor issues typically throw an ECU. Maybe the ball joints need lubrication/replacement? How many miles?

[Tcoat]

I am with Strat in the lube camp. (damn that sounds bad!) When it gets cold lube doesn't work the best anyway so if it was already needing attention it would get even worse. You would feel it through the pedals.

I had a bit of a panic the other day when I went to turn and had a terrible shuddering and groaning noise. Pulled over and it was just a large build up of wheel well ice that rubbed when I turned.

[Ultramaroon]

I say trust your instincts, Grav. Something's up.

I'm sure the steering servo is failsafe. Worst that can happen is loss of assist. No biggie.

Take it in ASAP. Let us know.

[gravitylover]

I'm also thinking it's a lube issue. There are apparently a bunch of us in the northeast experiencing the same thing as there's a thread running in the 86 owners of New England group on FB. I guess there's a bearing where the steering shaft goes through the firewall and some people have had it go bad and when it does there's a vibration through the floor that you feel in the pedals. I'm hoping it's something that simple although I bet that it's a bunch of labor time to replace it. This is why I got the car CPO so it has a 7/100 warranty

[gravitylover]

Looks like I'm going to have to put this off because the car is frozen shut and I can't get in through either door or the trunk. We had 2" of rain the other day and it dropped to single digits that night. She's locked up tight I called two tow companies to put it on a flatbed and bring to their garage to thaw it out and they won't touch it because it's in gear with the brake pulled and they won't risk damaging it. If I pour near boiling water in the door gap will the paint peel? It's the latch that's frozen not the lock cylinder. I've already tried lock deicer with a hose but it didn't get in there sufficiently I guess.

[gravitylover]

Brought the car in today and I sure am glad i got it CPO with a 100k warranty. They are going to replace the 'Steering Column Shaft Assembly' because the lower bearings, which are pressed on at the factory, have gone bad. It's apparently safe to drive because it can't fail outright it just feels shitty at a couple of points while the wheel is being turned. The part is ~$850 and the labor is supposed to be 9 or 9.5 hours (@$125/hr) so this would be a devastating blow if not covered. Gold plan deductible is $50

I'm at 93k now and wondering if I shouldn't look into an extension to the extended warranty I already have. Last summer the timing chain cover reseal would have been about $800 and the few other post 36/60 things that have been covered would have added up to pretty well over $3k so if a plan costs $1k I'll probably come out ahead. Will I keep the car for another 100k? Hmmm...

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by gravitylover

Brought the car in today and I sure am glad i got it CPO with a 100k warranty. They are going to replace the 'Steering Column Shaft Assembly' because the lower bearings, which are pressed on at the factory, have gone bad. It's apparently safe to drive because it can't fail outright it just feels shitty at a couple of points while the wheel is being turned. The part is ~$850 and the labor is supposed to be 9 or 9.5 hours (@$125/hr) so this would be a devastating blow if not covered. Gold plan deductible is $50

I'm at 93k now and wondering if I shouldn't look into an extension to the extended warranty I already have. Last summer the timing chain cover reseal would have been about $800 and the few other post 36/60 things that have been covered would have added up to pretty well over $3k so if a plan costs $1k I'll probably come out ahead. Will I keep the car for another 100k? Hmmm...

Any speculation on what would have caused that ...... ??


humfrz

[gravitylover]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Any speculation on what would have caused that ...... ??


humfrz

Well, I didn't notice it before that really serious cold snap we just had. Because it only happens at a few points as the wheel is being turned rather than consistently through the rotation I wonder if it has something to do with a bent or slightly out of whack column angle and the bearing where it goes through the firewall is getting torqued on at those points. The cold could have made it worse I guess, maybe I bumped something in the snow with the wheel turned and tweaked something or I don't know...

Would you believe they want $630 to change the tranny fluid, rear diff fluid and flush/bleed the clutch!!

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by gravitylover

Well, I didn't notice it before that really serious cold snap we just had. Because it only happens at a few points as the wheel is being turned rather than consistently through the rotation I wonder if it has something to do with a bent or slightly out of whack column angle and the bearing where it goes through the firewall is getting torqued on at those points. The cold could have made it worse I guess, maybe I bumped something in the snow with the wheel turned and tweaked something or I don't know...

Would you believe they want $630 to change the tranny fluid, rear diff fluid and flush/bleed the clutch!!

hmmm.......that's the first I've heard of cold weather whacking out that bearing .....

As far as hitting something, I reckon there are several things that would give way before a bearing on the steering column.

$630 for that work ...... yes, I would believe it ....... I just live with sticker shock these days .....

Well, I'm glad you're getting it fixed under your extended warranty.....


humfrz

[gravitylover]

Yeah like I said, I dunno either. I'll try to ask the tech if he has any ideas when it goes in for the work next week.

Yeah you're probably right.

I'm surprised but I guess I shouldn't be

Heh, yeah me too.

[Ultramaroon]

One for the books. Thanks for sharing!