Grinding/Stiff Steering
27-Jan-2010, 10:37 PM
#1
Luka
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 14,319
Grinding/Stiff Steering
History: went to get wife's car safetied and it needed upper balljoints. Upper control arms were replaced.
Then started to get some squeeky noises in the front end...lower balljoints were replaced.
Now, I'm have a really weird off and on issue. An EXTREMELY LOUD grinding noise occurs from time to time when I slowly move the steering wheel side to side. It sounds like metal on metal.
Also, the steering gets so stiff that if I made a right hand turn and let go of the wheel, the wheel won't turn back on its own. I have to force the wheel back to the middle.
The noise occurs when going over bumps once in a while, but mainly when moving the steering wheel side to side. It also doesn't happen if I move the steering wheel quickly.
The odd thing is that the passenger side was doing it for a while and the drivers side wasn't. Now it's the complete opposite.
Can this be bad balljoints again or what? Can it have anything to do with wheel bearings?
Then started to get some squeeky noises in the front end...lower balljoints were replaced.
Now, I'm have a really weird off and on issue. An EXTREMELY LOUD grinding noise occurs from time to time when I slowly move the steering wheel side to side. It sounds like metal on metal.
Also, the steering gets so stiff that if I made a right hand turn and let go of the wheel, the wheel won't turn back on its own. I have to force the wheel back to the middle.
The noise occurs when going over bumps once in a while, but mainly when moving the steering wheel side to side. It also doesn't happen if I move the steering wheel quickly.
The odd thing is that the passenger side was doing it for a while and the drivers side wasn't. Now it's the complete opposite.
Can this be bad balljoints again or what? Can it have anything to do with wheel bearings?
28-Jan-2010, 02:13 PM
#6
Luka
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 14,319
it's off and on. I can drive half way to work without hearing anything and then it will start happening.
Difference is when her balljoints were squeeking I could make them squeek anytime just by pushing down on the hood of the car.
I cannot replicate this sound on my own. It just comes and goes by itself.
Difference is when her balljoints were squeeking I could make them squeek anytime just by pushing down on the hood of the car.
I cannot replicate this sound on my own. It just comes and goes by itself.
28-Jan-2010, 09:20 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 3,745
it's off and on. I can drive half way to work without hearing anything and then it will start happening.
Difference is when her balljoints were squeeking I could make them squeek anytime just by pushing down on the hood of the car.
I cannot replicate this sound on my own. It just comes and goes by itself.
Difference is when her balljoints were squeeking I could make them squeek anytime just by pushing down on the hood of the car.
I cannot replicate this sound on my own. It just comes and goes by itself.
check to see if rotor covers are rubbing against the rotors it could be as simple as that
29-Jan-2010, 07:39 AM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Pfaff
Posts: 1,560
Luka,
Does it happen when the vehicle is stopped? If so, it probably is the lower bj.
If it only happens when the wheels are in motion you are most likely looking at a wheel bearing.
Jack the vehicle up and put it in drive. Cautiously have a listen to both wheel bearings, if you hear any grinding/howling sounds, it's time to replace 'em.
Does it happen when the vehicle is stopped? If so, it probably is the lower bj.
If it only happens when the wheels are in motion you are most likely looking at a wheel bearing.
Jack the vehicle up and put it in drive. Cautiously have a listen to both wheel bearings, if you hear any grinding/howling sounds, it's time to replace 'em.
29-Jan-2010, 08:51 AM
#10
Luka
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 14,319
I will jack it up maybe on sunday when it's a little warmer.
But what about the other part of the symptom? The stiff steering? Does that make it lean in any direction? like more of a balljoint issue?
The steering gets really stiff, like if i turn the wheel to make a turn and don't move it back to the center the car would just keep turning in circles forever.
But what about the other part of the symptom? The stiff steering? Does that make it lean in any direction? like more of a balljoint issue?
The steering gets really stiff, like if i turn the wheel to make a turn and don't move it back to the center the car would just keep turning in circles forever.
29-Jan-2010, 08:52 AM
#11
Luka
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 14,319
Luka,
Does it happen when the vehicle is stopped? If so, it probably is the lower bj.
If it only happens when the wheels are in motion you are most likely looking at a wheel bearing.
Jack the vehicle up and put it in drive. Cautiously have a listen to both wheel bearings, if you hear any grinding/howling sounds, it's time to replace 'em.
Does it happen when the vehicle is stopped? If so, it probably is the lower bj.
If it only happens when the wheels are in motion you are most likely looking at a wheel bearing.
Jack the vehicle up and put it in drive. Cautiously have a listen to both wheel bearings, if you hear any grinding/howling sounds, it's time to replace 'em.
And if it is the lower balljoints?
Are you going to smack whoever gave you the parts?
lol
29-Jan-2010, 03:14 PM
#12
Inactive
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: N/A
Posts: 4,641
Was alignment done after lower balljoint installation? It could be a toe that's off and that's why the steering doesn't come back. Also check if the pump is working. If you open the power steering reservoir and get somebody to turn the wheel left/right. Look inside the reservoir, the fluid should be moving. If its not, then you have pump issues also.
29-Jan-2010, 09:28 PM
#16
Luka
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 14,319
it also only happens when turning the wheel slowly
if i violently turn the wheel left and right no noise is heard
im gonna investigate more tomorrow if i have the ***** to go outside in this cold
the car sits on the driveway for 6/7 days a week which is why i havent cared to fix it quickly
if i violently turn the wheel left and right no noise is heard
im gonna investigate more tomorrow if i have the ***** to go outside in this cold
the car sits on the driveway for 6/7 days a week which is why i havent cared to fix it quickly
31-Jan-2010, 08:17 AM
#18
Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 73
I would look towards the rack and pinion/power steering pump hydraulics/belt based on your description above. seizure and noise from maybe very low or no PS fluid. Never seen ball joints / tierods etc. cause symptons per your description above.
31-Jan-2010, 01:16 PM
#19
Luka
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 14,319
the PS fluid needs to be flushed but it's not low
anyways, I didn't have the ***** to jack the car up in this cold but I did figure out that the noise only happens when I'm sitting in the car.
If I stand up outside of the car and turn the wheel slowly, there's no noise.
So, it's something that only happens under load.
anyways, I didn't have the ***** to jack the car up in this cold but I did figure out that the noise only happens when I'm sitting in the car.
If I stand up outside of the car and turn the wheel slowly, there's no noise.
So, it's something that only happens under load.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
imported_Team Rukus
Honda Civic Performance - JDM Discussion
0
29-Aug-2002 01:30 PM
