10 replies to this topic

[Bujon]

Can anyone help me here with any ideas? My VX squeeks like mad only when I turn right at about 20% lock. The noise appears to come from the centre of the dash but from behond the the footwell. It sounds like someone rubbing polystyrene together and is driving me mad. It occassionally does it when breaking too. I've checked the suspension coils, and lubed all the bushes but to no avail, and have decided it's more a cosmetic problem rather than a mechanical indherence. Is there a bush at the base of the steering column?

[Shep]

Mine made the same horrible squeaking polystyrene noise! Eventually got rid of it by replacing the steering rack (there was excessive play as well though) I lubricated it like crazy trying to get rid of that noise but it always came back. Sorry not much help really.

[Bujon]

What was the damage for a new steering rack? It's sounds like it might be the same problem. I do notice the noise stops momentarily if the car has been jacked up, which is while I thought it may be something and nothing as it reappears when the car settles back into shape.

[Scotsdave]

I'm in the process of replacing my steering rack and have done a little research in to it. The steering rack was made by a company called Titan Motorsport. The rack will cost £550 direct from vauxhall. Plans motorsport will sell you a recon rack for £220 +vat + your old rack. Titan Motorsport will sell you a brand new rack for £200 or they will recon your old rack for you and post it back. They quoted an hours labour to recon the rack and they charge £35 per hour + parts and postage back if your not local. I'm guessing it will cost just over £110 for my recon from Titan as postage to them was £18.50 alone. There are alot of of reconditioning companies out there but I choose Titan as they designed the rack so should know what there doing it. Play in the steering rack seems to be a common problem and a rattle over uneven ground is normally a good indication of the play. Not a good start for me owning the car but one of those things I guess. It took me an hour to remove the rack and putting it back on shouldn't take much longer. To remove the rack you need to disconnect the track rod ends, remove 4 bolts under the dash and then disconnect the intermediate shaft on the steering column it then twists and slides out a box section in the chassis. I hope this helps. Davie

[Guy182]

im getting worried... ive had what i think is the same squeeking before :(

[Claws]

Holy thread resurrection Batman! I hit a pothole last night at about 20mph, getting the same squeaking sound from behind the passenger footwelldash when turning the wheel. Have I broken my steering rack? There doesn't seem to be any excessive play and the car still feels tight enough. I'll have a look after work tomorrow, any tips/pointers for things to check?

[Claws]

Well, I put off leaving work sharp this afternoon When I eventually got home I had a proper listen, it was definitely coming from the rack. I jacked the front up, took the NSF wheel off and run the steering back and forth, had a general poke about, definate squeak there. Noticed my tyres have taken a mullering in the past few months, spotted a few other niggles while I was poking around making a list of things to fit for preventative maintenance, I just seen pound signs after factoring in a new rack. Disheartened and in a foul mood I stuck the wheel back on, put the car on the deck, took the roof off and went out a spirited drive. No squeak! It will probably re appear at somepoint, but it has gone for now, happy days

[Nelly Vx]

If it starts squicking best pm ibob

[TheHood]

My steering used to squeak when I turned the wheel especially in cold weather. For years I thought it was something to do with the cheapo plastics on the steering wheel and binnacle rubbing against each other. But when I was stuck in the foot well doing some wiring I noticed the metal steering column tube passes through a rubber grommet in the bulk head. A three second squirt of silicon spray on said grommet stopped 5+ years of annoyance

[N.E.M.O]

Mines just started the same squeak! So so so annoying >:[

[TheHood]

Job done