Creaking when turning the steering wheel

[MAZABON]

if you can get it jacked up safely and remove the wheel ( as in axle stands ) and can get someone else who is sensible to turn the steering wheel

with a big chunky screwdriver pressed on a specific area and the other end held against your ear ( preferably the handle end against your ear ) you may be able to locate the offending area, although you will hear the noise just about anywhere believe me you will know when you are on the money, sounds a bit strange but it works quite well, ive used this method on all sorts before a good example is offending tapets by listening through the rocker cover you know which one is causing the problem before you even take the cover off

be carefull if you do it though

[bongolow]

Just a quick update. Jacked it up and got it on stands. Sprayed various places in turn but it made no difference. When I got a bit further underneath, and using Mazabon's technique, I've now come to the conclusion that the noise is from the steering rack itself. Very odd - if I'm at the side near the wheel the sound appears to be coming from the top of the wheel arch but when I'm on the floor at the front it's definitely from there. The wheel arch must be acting as a sound deflector.

Anyway, I'll try the Wynns leak sealer as Ady suggested earlier and if that doesn't cure it I'll be off to Adrian in Bury with it.

[rita]

Hi,

It might be worthwhile checking the two UJ on the steering shaft,they might be needing a drink.

http://www.lushprojects.com/bongopartsm ... no=.html#5


32-850a there are two of them top and bottom..
Cheers..

[bongolow]

Okay - sorted. Phoned Adrian in Bury yesterday and he asked me to run it up there this morning. He soon diagnosed it was just one of the drop links - one of the joints was seized up. I had fitted these droplinks myself about 18 months ago and I've already had one replaced by Adrian in last October. The ones I fitted were the nylon jointed type, bought through the club website, but I can't say I've been too impressed with them. The one Adrian fitted had pre-greased sealed metal joints.

Anyway he did it there and then and charged me £35, including the part, and I was back home in a couple of hours. I'm sorry I didn't just take it up there in the first place instead of wasting time messing with it myself. Glad it wasn't the steering rack though... phew...

Thanks for all the suggestions, your help is appreciated.

[MAZABON]

glad to hear you have got it sorted

dont be put off trying to sort things out yourself though, that is the best way to learn all the ins and outs of your bongo and improve general mechanical knowlege.

you can then go to a garage with a bit more confidence and knowlege in general and be more aware of the specific problem at the time, possibly even helping the mechanic to narrow down the issue.

[bongolow]

glad to hear you have got it sorted

dont be put off trying to sort things out yourself though, that is the best way to learn all the ins and outs of your bongo and improve general mechanical knowlege.

you can then go to a garage with a bit more confidence and knowlege in general and be more aware of the specific problem at the time, possibly even helping the mechanic to narrow down the issue.

That's true. Trouble is I've driven company owned vehicles for most of my working life so my knowledge of car servicing was limited to where to bung in the oil and water.....

That's a (slight) exaggeration and I've learnt quite a bit since buying the Bongo (which I suppose is still a company vehicle as I'm self-employed.. ) .

The other main drawback is that I don't have a driveway and it's a bit of a pain working on it out in the street.

[mikeonb4c]

Glad its sorted - top man is our Adrian. I'm off to see him on Monday with one Bongo and a broken AFT. Hoping he can work the usual miracle