I have an SRT-6 and had the steering box replaced last week. I had loads of noise and funny feeling steering for a couple of days until all the air had bled out the system. Steering works fine now but I have a whine/drone at tick over, a bit like the noise you get when you start form cold, but it stays when warm. Anyone have any ideas what this could be ? They had to remove the whole exhaust system and all steering fluid for the work. I am going back in on Saturday for them to refit my exhaust in the center as they have refitted it all wonky. Also my battery terminal was so loose it nearly fell off !!!

 

It's a little hard to follow your post, I don't quite understand "tick over"... All I can get is that they purged your power steering system after bringing it in for "noises & funny feeling"... That solved the problem ? But created another problem "whine / drone" ? Where ? While doing what ?

More details of your current problem will help... But in the meantime, power steering pumps/system that are not operating correctly will cause the pump to "whine / drone"... Low power steering fluid will cause the pump to make abnormal sounds when turning... Air bubbles in the system can create the same problem...

First thing I ask is that you go out to your car and check the level of your power steering fluid... Then come back to the forum and post a more detailed description of the problem...

 

The steering box was replaced as it knocked loudly if you rocked the steering wheel in the centre position, also if you put half a turn on the steering wheel there was about 2 inches if play before the wheels moved at all. The noises and whine have started since I got the car back. At first the steering felt awful (due to air bubbles the dealer told me) this has got better now and all I have left is this whine at low revs (when the engine is idling is when the whine is worst, it is still apparent if I increase the revs slightly too).

Could this still be due to residual air in the system and if so, how long should I expect it to last before all the air is removed ?

I am new to the crossfire, so where is the power steering reservoir for me to check ?

 

If I understand you correctly the "tick over" might be a loose, or misaligned connection on the exhaust manifold, which sometimes makes a 'tick" like sound.

 

There shouldn't be any air in the system... They should have bled the system after the repair... Open the top of the fluid reservoir (fill if necessary) start the car, have a helper turn the steering wheel back and forth from lock to lock a few times while you look into the reservoir. If the fluid becomes slightly foamy on the top, you have air in the system...


https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...1&d=1180542694

 

"Tick over" refers to when the engine is running when stationary with no throttle (gas) applied...eg 500 - 700 RPM depending on whether "in gear" or not (Auto). It must be a UK phrase, sorry for any confusion. Would "idle" be the correct word ?

Hence there is no ticking noise, just a whine.

 

Thank you for the information, I will look at it tonight. The dealer said air in the system was normal after this sort of job and it would clear itself over a few days. Just can't trust what a dealer says, can you ? At least the steering operates normally now, when I first collected it felt lumpy and juddered a bit.

I am back to the dealer on Saturday to get my Exhaust re aligned as they fitted it wonky. I will show this information to them then too.

 

I checked the Power Steering fluid level last night and it was about 20mm below the dipstick. I will get this topped up tomorrow at the dealers. Is this low enough to cause noise ? as I can see fluid in the reservoir, just rather low.

Cheers,
Si

 

Yes, "Idle" is the word we use here in the colonies.

 

I'm glad we have that sorted then. Idle it is.

 

If it is to low on oil and whining you could be causing damage to the pump! I would make the dealer give you an extended warrenty for letting you leave without properly finishing the car repairs. It should have been bled before they gave it to you.

 

Got it back now and it seems quieter. Not 100% sure it is as quiet as before, as I am listening for it all the time now, so tuned in to it "so to speak". All working ok and feels normal now.
I have 18 months warranty left on it, so I guess that gives me plenty of time if it gets worse to have it sorted.