Grinding noise when turning the steering wheel

[Matt102030]

Hi folks,
Bought my Leon Mk1 FR TDI end of last year and been very happy with it, 3 days after the warranty runs out I start to get problems!! Hoping I can get some advice...

Drove to work and back a couple of days ago with no problem, then a couple of hours later I went to drive it and got a loud grinding/whirring noise when manouvering out of the space, pulled over and turned the wheel full lock both ways and noise got worse as more rotation, but disappears when central, carried on driving and at speeds over 5-10mph the noise again disappears, and only happens if engine is running. Had a look through the threads and there are a couple of similar cases but I am still none the wiser, really cant tell if its steering, susspension or wheel problem... Any ideas?

Much Appriciated,
Matt

 

[Matt102030]

Ok, done more digging and there are loads of similar posts!! Looks like Alternator pully change in order... From what I have read in other posts it sounds like a reasonable easy fix, anyone know of an online guide or tips?? Cheers

 

[gb]

have you checked the power steering fluid ?

 

[Matt102030]

Yeah, fluids fine, spoke to mechanic he reckons its the tensioner has gone as it was rocking like a bitch

 

[mccracd]

hey did you ever get this sorted? mines doing something similar (just sounds angry when dry-steering!)

 

[Matt102030]

Sounds similar to my problem... does it get worse/louder the more the steering is turned?

It was the drive belt tensioner/pully which had gone on mine, bolts to the sie of the alternator, part was around £40 from my local motor factors plus a new belt £15, took about half hour to change the part (Local VW garage quoted me over £300 to fix!) If you want to change it yourself it wasn't too difficult, just a bugger to get the belt back on...

There are 3 bolts connecting the tensioner to the alt, you need to release the tension by pulling back on the tensioner, take the belt off, undo the bolts, replace with new part and put the belt back on in the same order. I will whack some pics up which will show it better, best advice is to take a photo before removing the belt so you know which way it goes back on...

 

[mccracd]

Cheers! im gonna take it to SERE in Belfast after work today for a laugh, just to get a diagnosis and then take it to a local garage. Not that SERE aren't a good place for repairs, just cant have the £75/hr rates as compared to £25/hr at Sprint autos!

Then again, i managed to do the door seals and glow plug wiring loom on my tod so this might be a DIY driveway job aswell.

 

[Matt102030]

As long as you have the right tools (large wrench, spanners and nimble fingers) it's worth it for the cash you'll save...

£75 hr is daft, don't know how they get away with it!! If you know a local mechanic you trust it is a quick job though if you don't have the time yourself.

Seat and the crappy seals, don't know a single leon owner who hasn't changed em!

 

[mccracd]

yeah but the more you work at them the more problems you see so i might just leave it in to the local one!

Thanks for the info' anyway, if you get any photo's uploaded it would be great but not to worry if you can't.

 

[mccracd]

Hey

Any chance you have the part numbers for the pulley, tensioner and Belt?