Power steering. stiff, noisy, creaks and groans..

[Robert McCracken]

I left the car parked up for three weeks, went and started it, after about 15 mins steering started to stiffen up and creaking and groaning sounds appeared when turning left, right. Sounds like a rusty barn door being forced open. all this can be felt all up the steering column. i have removed the track rod ends from the hub to rule out any suspension issues but it is still the same, pump and fluid level are all as they should be, no noises from the pump.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you ,Boab..

[johnnyroper]

If you have isolated it from suspension then that only leaves pump not producing enough pressure, rack itself faulty or column. Where does noise come from. I would suspect pump pressure personally if you can feel up steering column.

[Robert McCracken]

Thanks for reply.

Can feel vibration and juddering all the way to the steering wheel, does`nt self center. Cant see any evidence of leaks ,rubber boots still intact.very noisy like rusty hinge..

[Robert McCracken]

Also seems to feel more like the steering wheel is being jammed..

[johnnyroper]

Apart from no power assistance what does it feel like with engine off do you still get the noise?

[Robert McCracken]

Same noise, same vibration...

[johnnyroper]

So that rules out pump and hydraulics then.

I would be splitting Column from rack now then and turning the wheel slightly,donââ,¬â,,¢t go too much as you could damage air bag squib. Does sound like rack is kaput though,peel gators back and see what condition rack bar is in you could well find itââ,¬â,,¢s all rusty.

[Robert McCracken]

Will do that over weekend, can only hope for best.will post outcome..

Thanks again for your reply.

[SirDavidAlhambra]

Good morning, friends!

Could this be a defective upper strut mount bearing?  I had creaky steering on my Alhamb (one of the best cars money can buy actually) and the dealer said I needed a new steering rack but I took it to my friend and he said he would change the upper strut mount bearing and that fixed it. The noise was previously as you describe, like a creaking old pirate ship, moored in the misty sea as the pirates drink beer in a nearby islandââ,¬â,,¢s tavern, every time I turned the steering wheel.

Hereââ,¬â,,¢s hoping you fix your lovely car quickly and easily

[johnnyroper]

Good morning, friends!

Could this be a defective upper strut mount bearing?  I had creaky steering on my Alhamb (one of the best cars money can buy actually) and the dealer said I needed a new steering rack but I took it to my friend and he said he would change the upper strut mount bearing and that fixed it. The noise was previously as you describe, like a creaking old pirate ship, moored in the misty sea as the pirates drink beer in a nearby islandââ,¬â,,¢s tavern, every time I turned the steering wheel.

Hereââ,¬â,,¢s hoping you fix your lovely car quickly and easily

No as OP has disconnected track rods and noise still there

[SirDavidAlhambra]

Ah, sorry I missed that bit.

If itââ,¬â,,¢s creaking then could a bit of grease or oil help? Maybe something is rubbing, could be worth putting grease in various spots and seeing if that helps?

[Robert McCracken]

Def steering rack, separated steering column and rotates freely so no problem with that. Tried once to turn the rack with a tightly fitting spanner and it cried like a baby that lost its dummy.

So got a wee bit of a job on my hands . Just for info only, will i need to drop the crossmember/subframe? or can the rack be removed with it in situ,, Thanks again..

[johnnyroper]

Never done one on a galaxy and canââ,¬â,,¢t remember 100% the set up but seem to think it can be taken out with subframe in situ?

@Mirez will be able to confirm

[Robert McCracken]

Thanks for your input. Every bit helps.will post on the outcome of my efforts, meantime have a wee thank you....

[Mirez]

It's been a while since I did one but I'm fairly sure it can be done with the subframe in position, although its obviously much easier if its not!

[SirDavidAlhambra]

It sounds like quite a difficult job, the sort of thing you need a ramp for?

[Robert McCracken]

It's been a while since I did one but I'm fairly sure it can be done with the subframe in position, although its obviously much easier if its not!

Thanks for reply.

Will give it a try, all I need now is for this thunderstorm too pass over, Scottish summer,,,,,,,. Expecting to lose some skin with this.

[johnnyroper]

It sounds like quite a difficult job, the sort of thing you need a ramp for?

Would make it easier but not essential. I have done gearboxes and clutches on stands even did a clutch in a railway station car park other week so rack should be perfectly doable on the deck.

[Robert McCracken]

Would make it easier but not essential. I have done gearboxes and clutches on stands even did a clutch in a railway station car park other week so rack should be perfectly doable on the deck.

Like yourself, I have done some risky jobs where the car would have been better off on ramps, but not always an option. So will tackle this on some sturdy axle stands, nothing better than lying on your back straining at some stubborn bolts in awkward locations while the Scottish summer tries to drown you...