Knocking from steering

mjennings23 · Post by **mjennings23** » Tue May 02, 2017 2:38 pm

Okay, first up I've just replaced the usual suspects for knocking from the front suspension, so it isn't coming from there.

It feels and sounds as though it's from the steering column, it's possible to grab the column in the engine bay and move it slightly forward and back which makes the same sound. Would I be right in assuming this could be something as simple as a dry universal joint along the column that can be resolved with some grease?

I should note, it's not knocking as the steering is moved much like the "sticky steering" so I don't see that being an issue, that and the tension ring has been moved previously.

mjennings23 · Post by **mjennings23** » Tue May 02, 2017 6:25 pm

Hopefully this shows the sound when idle. It only makes the sound when the wheel bounces back, if that makes sense? So when the pressure of my input is released and the tension forces it backwards

RyanB88 · Post by **RyanB88** » Wed May 03, 2017 11:20 am

Ouch that sounds horrible!

I'm not saying it is this, but worth a try

Mine made a very similar noise and it turned out to be the strut brace just needed tightening!

Rufus59 · Post by **Rufus59** » Wed May 03, 2017 6:50 pm

Which components did you replace?

mjennings23 · Post by **mjennings23** » Wed May 03, 2017 8:54 pm

ARB bushes, control arms and lollipop bushes, and drop links. I suppose it could be tie rod ends, but would that manifest itself as knocking at low speed only?

mr wilks · Post by **mr wilks** » Wed May 03, 2017 9:55 pm

mjennings23 wrote: ↑Wed May 03, 2017 8:54 pm ARB bushes, control arms and lollipop bushes, and drop links. I suppose it could be tie rod ends, but would that manifest itself as knocking at low speed only?

RyanB88 has thrown up a very likely culprit , zero costs to tighten your top mount bolts ( across the suspension where you would fit a strutbrace ) & the bars that connect to where the bonnet sensor is

andyfanshawe · Post by **andyfanshawe** » Wed May 03, 2017 10:00 pm

Sounds very much like the intermediate steering shaft. The one between the 2 uj's.
But dont guess, get it up in the air and repeat the steering wheel movement you did in the video while someone looks underneath.

Good luck.
Andy.

mjennings23 · Post by **mjennings23** » Wed May 03, 2017 10:14 pm

mr wilks wrote: ↑Wed May 03, 2017 9:55 pmRyanB88 has thrown up a very likely culprit , zero costs to tighten your top mount bolts ( across the suspension where you would fit a strutbrace ) & the bars that connect to where the bonnet sensor is

I was hoping it was this, but tightened them up to torque this evening (41Nm plus 100 degrees, I believe?) and its still there.

Previous owner has replaced the intermediate shaft too, so can't imagine it's gone already?

mjennings23 · Post by **mjennings23** » Sat May 06, 2017 7:19 pm

Replaced the torx bolts on the steering column just as a "what if..." moment... it only went and bloody stopped the knocking! Or it's stopped for now, hopefully it stays this way... I'm praying anyway!

MichaelAC · Post by **MichaelAC** » Sun May 07, 2017 8:50 am

If it comes back you may find its the universal joint in the steering as you thought. I had this in my Mini, I could feel and hear a light knocking as I turned the steering wheel, that seemed to be coming from the column. I just took the cowling off under the steering wheel and sprayed WD40 on it and it was fine, as if it had never been there. I think a grease spray would be better if it came back but it hasn't. It's a common problem on the R53.

mjennings23 · Post by **mjennings23** » Sun May 07, 2017 11:39 pm

Will be keeping an ear out for any noise, but it's amazing how much happier I feel with a slight noise eradicated, took it out for a proper blast round the Peak District today and was grinning all the way

JimBob78 · Post by **JimBob78** » Sun May 21, 2017 12:00 am

Just wondering which bolts you changed? Also have a knocking but slightly different, more of a rattle over bad surfaces.
Thanks

poortomsacold · Post by **poortomsacold** » Wed Jun 21, 2023 9:10 am

mjennings23 wrote: ↑Sat May 06, 2017 7:19 pm Replaced the torx bolts on the steering column just as a "what if..." moment... it only went and bloody stopped the knocking! Or it's stopped for now, hopefully it stays this way... I'm praying anyway!

Can you let me know which bolts you replaced please? This morning mine suddenly started making the exact same noise - sounds as though it's coming from inside the car, so wouldn't mind trying your fix in the first instance.

Did yours come on suddenly and with no notice?

Thanks.

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