Steering rack replaced, big difference...

[asonda]

Hi,

I thought my steering was noisy on my 2012 Exeo Sport Tech 170 2.0TDi CR.

When booked in for service I mentioned it to the dealer and he said they do make some noise, it's what they do.

Well anyway, there was something wrong somewhere.

It went in on Monday and they dropped the car off at the missus workplace on Tuesday (Today) and picked up the courtesy car, again cannot fault Dales SEAT in Summercourt!

Well the steering is A LOT quieter and feels a little lighter while driving, it still makes a noise but it is very noticeably quieter.

It makes more of a noise turning right than left for some reason but when the car is moving whilst parking etc it was really noisy before, now it's near silent.

It might be worth all of you getting yours checked out if you're in warranty as they're prone to going apparently.

Just thought I'd share with you

 

[jcbmally]

\steering rack!!!!!

If my car is standing still, idling and I turn the wheel it will "groan" a little. Checked fluid ok, reported it to the dealer and he said quite normal. It is fine with slight revs and or moving. Was this similar to your issue?

 

[asonda]

If my car is standing still, idling and I turn the wheel it will "groan" a little. Checked fluid ok, reported it to the dealer and he said quite normal. It is fine with slight revs and or moving. Was this similar to your issue?

Hi it will groan a little especially when standing still.

Even when moving very slowly it will make some noise.

Mine compared to now was very very noisy.

 

[jcbmally]

Steering rack groan

Well the groaning from my steering rack was identified as worn CV joints. Dealer changed them under warranty and its all ok now.

 

[Cornishgreg]

I had the same thing with mine, Dales replaced the Pump and a couple of linkages rather than the full rack as that was where they identified the fault.

Has been perfect and near silent since (except at slow parking speeds when you can hear a bit).

 

[asonda]

Update...

Just a little update. I have switched dealers to the one that Cornishgreg uses and they seem a lot more friendly, knowledgable and just generally seem like they want to help.

As my exeo is coming up to 3 years old, it needed a service including brake fluid and a MOT. On the MOT they advised power steering noisy, so I asked them about it and they booked me in to have it looked at after telling them that it had a new rack.

They are now fitting a new pump today. I have to say though, since the rack was replaced, it was much quieter, so I'm looking forward to seeing how quiet it is now!

Also I've had the drivers window regulator/mechanism replaced too!

Got some paint bubbling up on the sides of the bonnet that is starting to creep over onto the top, hoping they'll sort this too, they should.

 

[Cornishgreg]

Good

Pleased to hear it's all getting sorted and that the guys at Scorrier are looking after you, Gavin and Shaun always seem to be interested in helping.

 

[asonda]

Pleased to hear it's all getting sorted and that the guys at Scorrier are looking after you, Gavin and Shaun always seem to be interested in helping.

Thanks Greg, it's amazing how better and how easier it is to deal with them, it's a different kettle of fish all together compared with the Summercourt lot.

I've now been to scorrier a few times, just had full service with brake fluid change done etc, top stuff. Decent courtesy cars too really and drop off back to mrs's work. Great stuff.

 

[decadent]

. sorry replied to wrong thread!

 

[Matjill]

My Powers Steering saga

I like to share my experience with you regarding noisy steering- I picked up my Exeo from the auction a few weeks ago it had just over 80K on a 12 plate it's the sport mech model, I noticed the steering was a bit stiff and juddery on idle but driving was great hardly noticed it. I thought that's the way it was untill someone pointed out that the steering is heavy compared to another identical car, which I also tested and it was noticeably better than mine no noise and smooth to turn so I decided to investigate further. Took it to my local mechanic and sought some advise on this forum and the dealer who shuck me when they quoted over £500 for a PAS pump alone. I decided to have my PAS pump checked so we took it out noticed that one of the idler pulley was a bit wobbly so we replaced this checked the alternator clutch pulley which was fine. The PAS pump was sent off and instead of sending report back they exchanged it with a reconditioned unit, so I refitted it with a new belt - cleaned the filter in the reservoir bottle refill with new green Liquid and low and behold it was exactly the same, made no difference at all. The car when placed on the rotating plates on the ramp, the steering was turned it was smooth and no juddering, as soon as we put it on solid ground the noise returned, the mechanic is convinced the steering rack is not at fault, he suspects it may be caused by stiff ball joint or suspension linkages, but is not sure. So I ended up with a huge garage bill and I am no better off. Drive it for a while and we'll have another go next week he told me we will get the suspension links and joint's and try that first. Then we will change the rack at the last if all else fails. So that's my story so far. Apart from that it's great motor to drive.

 

[mcdonald]

Earlier this year I flushed the steering fluid after 85.000 km.
After the flush the pump is more quiet and steering is smoother.

I used this how-to: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/250562-power-steering-fluid-flush-DIY
You need 2 liter Pentosin CHF 202 oil or 2 liter OEM oil (art.nr.: G-004-000-M2).


The old oil:

The new oil:

 

[Matjill]

Further to my steering problem I would like to report that I drove the car for a few weeks and the noise got no worse or better. only on idle it groaned a lot turning to the right and hardly any noise when it turned to the left. So I decided to take out the steering rack and get it checked I did not change any of the linkages as driving over bumps and pot holes it made no noise or sqeekes it was quite solid. I had the rack reconditioned, I refitted it and the noise was reduced about 50% turning to the right and left turn it was easy and noise free. The only thing remaining are the hydraulic pipes which I decided to leave for the time being as it was getting quite expensive the garage bill. It drive nice and I can live with a little bit noisy it certainly much better then when I started but weighting up the cost to the benefit, I should of left it as it was, the cost have been far too much compared to what I gained in the noise reduction. I tried my best!