Steering noise and squealing tires

[VS97-2211]

Hi,

I just had my steering rack replaced with a reconditioned one because I had a big leak of fluid.

When I drove my car afterwards I notice a fair bit of "soft" grinding and knocking sound coming mostly from the left hand side steering area.

Also, when going around corners (even at slow speed) the front tires are making squealing sounds like they are spinning (burnout)

I went back about ten mins after I noticed this but the mechanic had left, I will be going back tomorrow but thought I would ask to see if anyone here has ideas on what it could be.

Thanks for any help.

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

He could have left a tie rod end loose.

The squealing would be because the wheel alignment is now out and the toe requires adjusting.

[VS97-2211]

Thanks for the reply Not_An_Abba_Fan, I was thinking something needed adjusting but didn't know enough to check.

[hako]

In addition to NAAF's comments, I'd add the you should not drive the car in this condition primarily for safety and secondly because you will ruin both front tyres.

[RX25SE]

....and this is the last time I would use that 'mechanic'.
He obviously did'nt road test it after the job.

[VS97-2211]

Thanks guys, the guy is only 2 k's from me so I can go slow through back roads. I will look around for another guy to go to, the best thing about this guy is that he is so convenient.

[Kunu]

Thanks guys, the guy is only 2 k's from me so I can go slow through back roads. I will look around for another guy to go to, the best thing about this guy is that he is so convenient.

convenient doesnt equate when ya life is at stake!! Like RX said definately didnt road test and if he did well god help us lol
Id be looking somewhere else thats for sure!!

[Kioes]

As above, my mechanic comes out to me and i used to work for him so he's trusted, find someone you can trust and chat to! being able to have an actual conversation with your mechanic about things is a big one to me! not them just overruling and knowing whats wrong all the time.

[VS97-2211]

Hi, an update, I went back to the guy and he said he forgot to tell me to get a wheel alighnment done (I don't know how you forget that).
So I went to Boob Janes and that helped, but I have this noise coming from the left hand wheel which I'm pretty sure wasn't there before (even though sounds that were there before are now gone!)

Anyway I might be my bearing that's going, so you're right that it looks like he didn't test drive the car because I'm sure he would have heard the sound if he did. (gets pretty loud the faster you drive)

So I'll do that myself first and if the noise is still there, I will look for someone else to have a look.

I don't know what else could be making the noise besides the bearing.


WOW! I just found out how bloody expensive the ABS bearings are compared to the non ABS ones. I wonder if I can just use the cheaper bearings even if that means losing ABS?


I also read on another thread to do with a noisy front wheel that something else "to check is the slide pins that the caliper slides on - seems to be a common problem for the grease to dry out and cause them to stick stopping the caliper from completely releasing"

After all the noise that I'm hearing ONLY started after I had my steering rack replaced, could this have somehow caused the noise? Do they have to take the wheels and or hubs off to do the rack?

[EDGE3]

There is always something else that happens to your car when you replace a part,funny how that happens 99% of the time.The callipers might not be releasing properly,so the pads are sticking,the rotors might need to be machined because they might be warped,you might need new bearings but that means you have to replace the hubs,which like you said costs $$,the brake line might be rubbing onto the wheel.Jack the car up and then spin the wheel and listen and see if you can hear where it is coming from.

[VS97-2211]

You're right Edge, weird how things "go wrong" at the same time :-) I will jack the car up in the morning and have a look and feel, I'm hoping it's nothing serious.

[hako]

Take it back to the the bloke who did the rack - he should be able to check it for you.

[VS97-2211]

Yeah I was thinking about doing that Hako, but he's not there on the weekend and plus I don't know if I can trust him any more. (He's really looking incompetent)

I'll see what happens tomorrow after I have a look.

[GMHCalais]

my mechanic mentioned to me about the caliper sticking. He said any half decent mechanic Will grease them so they can slide freely. Just check with your fingers i suppose. Soon find out i guess. Goodluck either way mate!

[VS97-2211]

Thanks GMHCalais :-)