My steering sounds as though I am twisting a spring

[Caladon]

When I am stationary and I turn the wheel slightly left or right, it sounds as though a spring is being pinged. When I open the window the noise appears to be coming from the rack itself inside, rather than outside, the car.
Any ideas?

Thanks,
Cal

[kojak]

Hi Cal

It sounds like the Steering rack/ column may need lubricating/greasing........i had a fault on one of my cars which turned out to be dryness around that area. Not an expensive job....just make sure you pick a good mechanic to diagnose and fix fault.

good luck

[kojak]

I will add that when i turned the wheel, i had sqeaking, not so much a spring pinging, so may be that something's come loose on the rack too.

[Caladon]

Thank you both.

Doc, this would make sense as I noticed i hear a very similar, if not the same noise, when i go over bumps.

[kojak]

You're welcome, Caladon.:)

In that case, if you hear similar noise when going over bumps, Doc's right that fault may point to a suspension problem.
Hope you get it sorted soon.

[logic]

DOC,
I never knew that,

[Hymie]

Avoid turning the steering wheel while stationary as much as possible.

Before power assisted steering was fitted as standard, turning the wheels while stationary required considerable force on the steering wheel. Now it is possible for the most dainty of drivers to turn the wheels lock to lock. However do this too often and you will need a new steering rack. The enormous force that the driver had to apply to the steering wheel to turn the road wheels while stationary, is now being applied by the power assistance, wrecking the steering rack.

[TWR]

Hi, Jack the car up if possible & see if the noise is still there, if not it will not be your rack, the car when on the ground is under pressure with road contact, most racks on cars are non serviciable apart from the bellows, you can insert grease into these but its a messy job, Is there oil in the resoviour? is the P.S.Belt (If you have one tight? is there a leak on the system causing an air lock?