Steering Squeek????

[Brian McVickers]

HI all,
I am hearing a bit of a squeek when I turn the steering wheel, especially to the left. It is direclty related to the movement of the steering wheel, it is not continuous. I only hear it when stopped or moving at idle like when pulling out of the driveway. It sounds like a squeeky piece of rubber, kind of like when you rub your sneeker on a tile floor.

Any ideas on a diagnosis??

Oh, and the fluid level is fine although it looks brown, not sure what color it is supposed to be.

Thanks
Brian

 

[Desertdude]

Sounds like a slightly loose or worn Power steering belt?

 

[seriessearcher]

I concur

Had this happen to my Disco II. It was a glazed belt which could not grip anymore.

I would suggest replacing it to see if that helps.

 

[Brian McVickers]

Thanks guys,
Where is the belt power steering belt?, I thought there was only one belt on this engine, the Serpentine Belt. The Serpentine Belt was just replaced four weeks ago!

Also note, it's not a prolonged squeeking belt type of noice. It almost sounds like a rubber bushing or joint that squeeks only and directly related to the turn of the wheel.

Come to think of it, it just started when the weather turned cold.

Brian

 

[gjackson]

My sister's D1 had that problem. Turned out to be the steering column plastic surround rubbing on the steering wheel. Also happened in cold weather because everything gets tighter!

See if it happens only at a certain angle on the steering wheel.

cheers

 

[Brian McVickers]

Thanks Graham,
I'll Check into it further.

Ya know when my heater core went out about two months ago they had to take my steering wheel and dash board off.
What a PIA!
They finished the job and I went to pick up the truck just as they were closing. About three blocks away from the dealership it just felt funny. I pulled into a parking lot and drove backa and forth a few times - well they put my steering wheel back on about 15 degrees offcenter to the left. When I was trying to drive straight I was changing lanes!!
So back the next morning to have them fix the mistake.

Picked up the truck again and headed out on the trail. I engaged the CDL and heard no selenoid click and saw no indicator light. In diagnosing the problem, first thing - pull the switch - only to find no wires connected!!

Further analysis found the CDL switch disconnected, my rear spotlight switch disconnected, the hazard lights button disconnected and the rear defroster switch hooked up to the hazard lights!!!

This time I made them come pick it up from me and give me a loaner.:sport_box

Finally I got it back, drove for about three weeks including a few trails and the other day my radio head unit fell partially out of the dash!!

Long story short, I would not be surprized if they messed the steering wheel colunm up during all of this. :gunt:

I have not called them back yet on the radio, even with the extended warranty I don't really want these guys pawing my rig anymore!

 

[gjackson]

Yikes, that's pretty bad. I've experienced similar neglect at dealerships though. I'll always do all my own wrenching on my Defender.

cheers

 

[BigAl]

I usually ignore squeaks until they go away or make themselves more obvious. I know that's not much help but I can tell you that you need a new garage

 

[Hunter]

*I admit, I dont know much about Rovers. Just havent had the chance to work on them much. with out hearing the squeak, hard to say. So these are more of a generic list of trouble shooting ideas

If the noise is inside, the it is most likely somewhere on the column among the bearings. Squeaky steering columns is VERY common among TJ's. The platic collar wears out, drys out, etc. If its outside could be a few things.

With a serp belt, it could still be going bad (Or loose) as the pump can put a lot of strain on a system. Most notably at stop on pavement at idle. A simple red-neck-tech-belt-check trick to see if it is the belt, is to spray some water or even better, spray can of belt restorer. (pick up at checker, autozone, etc). If it stop making the squeak or changes, its the belt.

If it still squeaks, check the joings on the steershaft, they can go bad or dry out. Some units have what is called "ragjoint" at the joint for the steeringbox and shaft meet (old school term) and has rubber spaced between to allow flex. Could go bad and sqeak.

If those are good, check all the tie-rod and ball joints might be dry or worn and make noise.

Also check the pitman arm on the bottom of the box.

Another possiblity could be something in your suspension. With the radius arm style front end, your pan hard bar could work loose and squeak as the steering pushes against it.


All above are symptoms I have seen before on various vehicles. Hope it helps.

Best Regards
Hunter

 

[Brian McVickers]

I climbed under this evening while someone wiggled the wheel.
It sounds like the pitman arm on the bottom of the box.
Anyone know what that means? Is there a rubber bushing to go bad?
Dangerous?

Brian

 

[sinuhexavier]

D1 or D2?

Your power steering fluid should be red by the way.

 

[Brian McVickers]

Dii

 

[sinuhexavier]

I'm sorry, I can be of no help with a D2.

 

[tdesanto]

View attachment 13243

Brian,

I had this eventually start happening to me at random times. I ususally found it happening after taking my vehicle off road--I think dust collected on the steering column bushing or dust shield.

When you said that it sounded like a sneaker on a tile floor, that's when I thought that maybe you're having the same issue. You can definitely hear it on my vehicle when the hood is raised and someone turns the steering wheel left and right.

In the diagram I attached, it's either #2 or #3. The steering column is rubbing against the rubber. I solved it by spraying a small amount of white lithium grease on the dust shield where it was rubbing. Ever since, I just wipe away the old grease and apply new--probably once a year or so now or whenever it happens again.

I hope that's all it is instead of a pitman arm or linkage issue.

Good luck,

Tony D.