'98 V70 Creaking Steering

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 21 May 2017, 18:51

I just recently replaced my tie rods since they were so far gone and were in desperate need of replacement. Along with that, I replaced the control arms. I had an alignment done once I finished the job, and since Firestone can't do a good alignment for the life of them, I had to bring it back because the car was violently pulling to the left. That was fixed, but my steering is still creaking like it was before changing the tie rods.
What happens is when I get close to lock, it starts creaking and hits a tight spot, like a step almost, and then frees up like normal and hits lock. That only happens when I turn the wheel left. Right is fine, but it still creaks badly. Perhaps worse than before I changed the tie rods. In addition to that, the steering has felt a little less responsive when driving. When I'm turning around a corner of just around a bend in the road, it feels fine. It's just in a straight line it feels a little disconnected.
All of my front suspension is new. Struts and mounts, bump stops, spring seats, sway bar links, control arms, and inner and outer tie rods. The only thing I can think of that I didn't replace was the rack, but I don't know why this issue would just start (as far as the steering feeling loose and unresponsive) after replacing the tie rods.
I thought I had a leak from the rack, so I put in some Lucas stop leak, but it turned out to be an axle seal on the passenger side (I'll worry about that when it gets worse... just changed the axle, not in any rush to pull it back out). If anything, that stuff is supposed to smooth out the steering and not make anything worse.
Is there anything else I'm missing here? It's incredibly annoying (and a bit embarrassing at times) when I'm parking, and I'd like to get it taken care of.

Post by **scot850** » 21 May 2017, 23:35

Have you checked the bearing at the bottom of the steering shaft where it passes through the floor? It can seize and make the steering wonky.

Check the gaiters at the ends of the steering rack are not full of oil due to failed rack end seals.

Neil.

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 22 May 2017, 08:25

scot850 wrote: 21 May 2017, 23:35 Have you checked the bearing at the bottom of the steering shaft where it passes through the floor? It can seize and make the steering wonky.

Check the gaiters at the ends of the steering rack are not full of oil due to failed rack end seals.

Neil.

I have not, but I will probably do that at some point today. Totally forgot about that.
Funny, because over the winter I had that steering squeak when it was cold. I just never bothered to check anything on the steering column.
I did check the rack ends, and they look good. Unfortunately I never replaced the boots when I changed the tie rods, totally slipped my mind, but it looks clean and dry at the ends of the rack.

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 22 May 2017, 13:11

Removed, cleaned, lubed, and replaced the steering column collar on the firewall. Haven't driven it yet, but I'll report back after some testing. I'm hoping it's solved.

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 22 May 2017, 14:31

Still creaks. I noticed though that it creaks more when it's in gear. It doesn't do it as much when it's in park, which is another reason I think it's something in the suspension rather than the column. It sounds like a stretching, straining creak. It's driving me nuts! What else could it be?

Post by **scot850** » 22 May 2017, 15:14

How are the engine mounts? Particularly the upper and lower torque rods/bushes?

I get a creaking in my cars front suspension. Changed many parts and still does it mainly on turning. Only things that have not been changed are the lower control arms (done by PO about 5,000miles ago) and the front springs.

When you replaced the anti-sway bar end links, did you torque them with the suspension under load, also the same thing with the control arm bushes?

Neil.

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 22 May 2017, 17:31

scot850 wrote: 22 May 2017, 15:14 How are the engine mounts? Particularly the upper and lower torque rods/bushes?

I get a creaking in my cars front suspension. Changed many parts and still does it mainly on turning. Only things that have not been changed are the lower control arms (done by PO about 5,000miles ago) and the front springs.

When you replaced the anti-sway bar end links, did you torque them with the suspension under load, also the same thing with the control arm bushes?

Neil.

I did not torque the sway bar links under load, however I did torque the control arm bushings under load.
The upper torque mount is in good shape, just replaced it with a new Lemforder bushing a couple months ago. The lower torque rod is original, I plan to order it soon with a bunch of other parts.

hanzbe420 · Post by **hanzbe420** » 23 May 2017, 06:55

My steering is creeky to but I went under there while someone turned the wheel back and forth and it was just a bushing making the noise

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 23 May 2017, 09:12

hanzbe420 wrote: 23 May 2017, 06:55 My steering is creeky to but I went under there while someone turned the wheel back and forth and it was just a bushing making the noise

Interesting. It sounds like it could be a bushing. What bushing was it?

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 23 May 2017, 19:25

My steering has been making creaky noises (like an old wooden boat) for many years now. It's not the groan of the PS pump, but I'm pretty sure it's the steering bearing/bushing as some have mentioned.