[NickCooper]

Hi guys,
I have bought a 2005 Suzuki Jimny and last week I noticed a noise coming from the steering components when I turned to the right sharply when going slow. It sounds like it is stiff but feels normal. I though maybe the recirculating balls need oiling or maybe there is something going on with the power steering but would like other opinions. After driving it today I can hear the noise when I turn both directions while also going slow. Anyone here maybe have an idea on what the problem could be?

Thanks
Nick

[Bugsta]

Is it a groaning noise that occurs at full lock even if you are not moving the steering wheel?

[NickCooper]

Bugsta wrote:

Is it a groaning noise that occurs at full lock even if you are not moving the steering wheel?

I just went for a quick drive and I cant hear it groaning when at full lock with the steering wheel held however when I am completely stopped and turning the wheels I can definitely hear it, seems to be coming from the front left more than anything

[NickCooper]

Here's a video file of a audio recorder inside the cab on the passenger floor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6C6-xeyr18

[alien]

is it the steering dampner? (it looks like a shock absorber under the radiator)... take it off and see if it still happens.

[NickCooper]

alien wrote:

is it the steering dampner? (it looks like a shock absorber under the radiator)... take it off and see if it still happens.

I will take it off tomorrow but I find it weird how the noise sounds like it is coming from the front left wheel, but I could be wrong. Thanks for the suggestion.

[alien]

cars do that sometimes... the metal translates the sound to another location making it hard to identify the problem.

have you had someone else turn the wheel while you watch to see if anything is obviously shuddering? it sounds like a shudder like somethings getting stuck and coming unstuck repeatedly? Have you tried jacking the whole front end off the ground as well to see if it still happens (you can also turn the wheels by pushing on them rather than using the steering wheel, and may feel the issue better?)

[NickCooper]

alien wrote:

cars do that sometimes... the metal translates the sound to another location making it hard to identify the problem.

have you had someone else turn the wheel while you watch to see if anything is obviously shuddering? it sounds like a shudder like somethings getting stuck and coming unstuck repeatedly? Have you tried jacking the whole front end off the ground as well to see if it still happens (you can also turn the wheels by pushing on them rather than using the steering wheel, and may feel the issue better?)

I had the car jacked up the other day but don't remember hearing the sound when turning the wheels (but then again I wasn't looking for the noise as I was figuring out other things) I was going to get my brother to turn the wheel for me while I was underneath but he ended up staying back at work until later. I will give it a go first thing in the morning and if I can't locate the noise then I will take the damper out and then try again.

Thanks for all your help. Much appreciated.

Nick

[alien]

dont thank me yet, i'm probably completely wrong =)

[NickCooper]

alien wrote:

dont thank me yet, i'm probably completely wrong =)

[NickCooper]

Thanks for the help Alien, had a look at it in the morning and noticed that the steering dampener bracket was loose. But seems I was out being thrown around in the tray of a friends hilux that later on caught fire, I was unable to tighten it so that is my tomorrow job.