04 reg Ford Ka grating sound from top of steering column

chigley

As the title really. Coming home tonight in the missus' car (Ka) we noticed a grating sound coming from the top of the steering column, almost as if it were full of gravel. I checked under the bonnet and am sure its not the steering rack or power steering pump - mainly as I could not hear the noise from there, but its very obvious when you are sat in the car (Ka )

Anyone got any ideas about this? It has not been in any environments where dirt could have got into the column.

Cheers

hewhoisnotintheknow

i know a common fault with ka's is the steering rack

do they have power steering? does the fluid for this need topping up?

jeannieblue

They are prone to top mounts, wishbone arms and steering rack ends, and a few other bits and bobs.

Get a garage to take a look.

debred86

i had the same problem a few weeks ago.

took it to the garage, they said one of the joints in the steering rack had ceased. They put some grease on the joint and the griding stopped.:T

They did tell me that the grease doesnt always work, and even if it does, it can come back. If the grease hadn't of worked, they said that it would need the rack replacing and that would cost £350. :eek:

thankfully they were nice and helped me, and the problem hasnt come back, hope ypu are as lucky as i was.

chigley

Thanks for the advice so far. Its definately not the rack or power steering pump, as the noise is there with the engine off too. I am pretty savvy mechanically, as I have just rebuilt a Land Rover from ground up (not bragging honest) but just wondered if anyone was aware of a fault from this area before I pull the plastic covers off this weekend.

Actually, by the time we got to work this morning the noise had stopped, so maybe it was some grit/dirt that had been trapped and then fell out - lets hope so!

debred86

mine started exactly the same way, at first it was just every now and again (mainly when manouvering into tight spaces, because you mave the wheel alot). Then it slowly worked its way so it was doing it all the time. The garage sid it was just one of the joints, not the whole rack, so maybe you missed it when you had a look.

Although i dont really think it is that big of a problem as mine passed the mot with it doing this, so i dont think its a dangerous problem, just annoying!

Keith

chigley wrote: »

Thanks for the advice so far. Its definately not the rack or power steering pump, as the noise is there with the engine off too. I am pretty savvy mechanically, as I have just rebuilt a Land Rover from ground up (not bragging honest) but just wondered if anyone was aware of a fault from this area before I pull the plastic covers off this weekend.

Actually, by the time we got to work this morning the noise had stopped, so maybe it was some grit/dirt that had been trapped and then fell out - lets hope so!

We've had 2 Ka's both have done that. Like a noise as if the wheel is catching the plastic surround as you turn it? I've not stripped the column but can't see any obvious catchs

As you say it comes and goes, and doesn't seem to effect anything.

ooo000ooo

If it's anything like my old fiesta, there's a universal joint at the bottom of the steeering column that wears and makes a grinding noise, eventually making the steering very heavy to turn, not expensive to replace but awkward as hell to change

moonrakerz

I had the same on my wife's Ka. I took the shroud off from behind the steering wheel and put some grease where the steering column appeared to be supported. Noise gone !

chigley

Excellent replies - and along the lines of what I was thinking. Well, its quiet for the time being, and low on the list of current mechanical needs of the rest of the 'fleet', so I will see how it goes.....

Thanks all

hewhoisnotintheknow

its not a temperature related noise is it?