Groaning on full lock

TRS30

I was pulling into a parking spot yesterday and noticed a slight groaning (for want of a better word!) from the front wheel area. Only had drivers window down so not sure if it was on both sides.

Is this normal or if not is it something that I should be worried about?

2009 Mondeo, 67K.

bbam

Some models don't like having power steering on full lock and they "groan" when they do.
I know my Passat used to do that and it said in the manual not to keep it held on full lock as it may damage the power steering unit.

nct tester

similar thread a few months ago
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=81151768

TRS30

nct tester wrote: »

similar thread a few months ago
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=81151768

Thanks. I did a search before posing however that thread didnt come up.

Not sure if that is the same issue as the OP mentions a differnt noise when on full lock to the one he got resolved.

I would bring to the Ford dealer near me however would be worried they will invent something to be fixed!

Could this just be 'normal' for this make of car?

Mr Benevolent

Have you been telling bad jokes in the car?

On topic, I'd check the power steering fluid level first.

TRS30

Confab wrote: »

Have you been telling bad jokes in the car?

On topic, I'd check the power steering fluid level first.

All the time

The car was services about 6K kms ago so would have though that it would have been check then?

demanufactured

TRS30 wrote: »

Thanks. I did a search before posing however that thread didnt come up.

Not sure if that is the same issue as the OP mentions a differnt noise when on full lock to the one he got resolved.

I would bring to the Ford dealer near me however would be worried they will invent something to be fixed!

Could this just be 'normal' for this make of car?

DONT go to a ford dealer for work like that.
You might as well bend over and hand them a bottle of lube.

Go to a good indipendant garage.

Voodoomelon

Service or no service, check the PS fluid level. Even its a few mm below the min mark, it can cause groaning. Unless its quite noticeably loud and the steering also feels a little different, I wouldn't be overly worried about the noise.

cena

My punto is doing this as well. Only thing is the streeing is electric no fluid in these cars

TRS30

Voodoomelon wrote: »

Service or no service, check the PS fluid level. Even its a few mm below the min mark, it can cause groaning. Unless its quite noticeably loud and the steering also feels a little different, I wouldn't be overly worried about the noise.

Will check later when I get home.

Steering seems fine and wasnt that loud. Am just worried it could turn into a bigger issue.

_Kaiser_

demanufactured wrote: »

DONT go to a ford dealer for work like that.
You might as well bend over and hand them a bottle of lube.

Go to a good indipendant garage.

The problem with this advice (although you're right in theory) is that many people don't know a "good independent garage" and so go to the dealer by default.

For example, I only heard about George Dalton through Boards and even at that he's a good hour's drive away. To make the saving worthwhile it'd have to be a dear/big enough job at a dealer to begin with.

biko

Had this on a car and it turned out the power steering fluid was low.
After refreshing the fluid noise was gone.

Mind if you're looking to change the fluid fully (which I recommend) it's easy but messy, read up on how to do it first.
I used the turkey baster method

TRS30

biko wrote: »

Had this on a car and it turned out the power steering fluid was low.
After refreshing the fluid noise was gone.

Mind if you're looking to change the fluid fully (which I recommend) it's easy but messy, read up on how to do it first.
I used the turkey baster method

If I find that the PS fluid is low can I just top it up or do I need to drain and replace??

Wossack

sounds like powersteering fluid alright

but fwiw, tyre fouling the bodywork can be another cause

steering geometry with some cars sometimes has the inside wheel to the turn making a little more tyre noise then you'd expect too (hear this in underground car parks particularly)

biko

If the old fluid is dirty and manky then it's probably best to change it as much as you can.
When did you last do it? If not sure you might as well try to change it out.

The turkey baster method I used means sucking old fluid out and filling up, then rotating wheels to pump it thought the system, then suck it put again and filling.
After +5 times of this the fluid should look much better.
Use gloves and paper towels to protect the engine, this stuff is pretty harsh.
Check level again after a week or so and top up a bit if needed.

The other option for a full flush means getting under the car and letting it flush out into a pan, then filling system with fresh fluid.

TRS30

biko wrote: »

If the old fluid is dirty and manky then it's probably best to change it as much as you can.
When did you last do it? If not sure you might as well try to change it out.

The turkey baster method I used means sucking old fluid out and filling up, then rotating wheels to pump it thought the system, then suck it put again and filling.
After +5 times of this the fluid should look much better.
Use gloves and paper towels to protect the engine, this stuff is pretty harsh.
Check level again after a week or so and top up a bit if needed.

The other option for a full flush means getting under the car and letting it flush out into a pan, then filling system with fresh fluid.

Sounds like a weekend job when I have some light.

How do I tell if the fluid is low? i.e. is there an easy line near the top that the fluid should be up to. Can i buy fluid in Halfords or from dealer only?

biko

Yeah there is usually a little indicator on the stick or the bottle depending on model.
I got fluid in Halfords but all factors have them too.
You need to google your car model and see which to use.

TRS30

Right, had a look earlier and PS fluid is a fraction under max. Took it out and did a few full lock turns and the noise is actually more from under the bonnet/ dash then the wheel area. Was also only when I held the steering tightly on full lock. When I let it off a fraction there was no noise at all.

I think it is fine and all cars will make a small noise when the car is held on full lock.

TRS30

Right, had a look earlier and PS fluid is a fraction under max. Took it out and did a few full lock turns and the noise is actually more from under the bonnet/ dash then the wheel area. Was also only when I held the steering tightly on full lock. When I let it off a fraction there was no noise at all.

I think it is fine and all cars will make a small noise when the car is held on full lock.

biko

It doesn't have to be low for a noise to happen, it can just be old and bad fluid. Of course it could be something else too.
Swing by a garage and ask but if you haven't changed fluid before now could be a good time to do it anyway. For the price of a bottle and a baster it's an easy diy and at least it's done for the next few years then

Btw, for me the noise would only be heard on full locking to one side so I knew then something was up.
At first I thought it was a joint or somesuch but started with the easiest and cheapest step. Luckily for me this was the issue fixed so didn't have to take things apart.

No one suggested cv joints?

Kenny Logins

Daniela Squeaking Marriage wrote: »

No one suggested cv joints?

I assumed the car isn't moving...