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Vibration through steering wheel


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#1 Robdog77

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Posted 01 April 2018 - 11:25 PM

Gday guys..
So I have stepped up from my Gen3 Liberty Wagon 2.5 n/a..
To a 05 Forester XT Luxury..
Feels like a huge step up in so many ways 👍🏻
But..I do have a strange problem I have never experienced in any of the 40 cars I have owned over the years..
I will describe it the best I can,and hope that someone has experienced it and provide me with the likely cause..
When I hit a bump on the road,but not all bumps..
There is a knocking type sound through the steering wheel
I wouldnt call it a vibration..more like the steering wheel isnt fitted properly..
You can feel it through the hands and there is a metal on metal type sound..
There is no noise from front of car or any suspension type noises..
It is really annoying but I am hoping it is something not difficult or expensive to fix..
Appreciate your time guys

#2 WarrenC

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Posted 02 April 2018 - 12:23 AM

On my 06 XT, the steering knuckle on left turns would grind against the dump pipe giving a feeling similar to what you are describing. Does it happen when turning the wheel either way?



#3 Robdog77

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Posted 02 April 2018 - 02:12 PM

No mate..
It’s only on the straight when hitting a bump..
I would liken it to if you loosened the nut that holds the steering wheel on..just enough for there to be a little play..
That’s probably the best way I can describe it

#4 Robdog77

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Posted 02 April 2018 - 03:01 PM

So I just went out to car and did a little more checking..
I started the car and just turned the steering wheel from left to right and there is a clicking noise when turning it in both directions..
Any ideas guys..much appreciated

#5 duncanm

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Posted 02 April 2018 - 03:44 PM

Is the click/movement right at the end of travel, or the beginning (when you just start to reverse direction of the wheel)?

 

If the former - may be steering rack mounts (though it'll be more of a mushy clunk rather than a click)

If the latter - check all the clamps in the steering column - universal joint and steering rack pinion.  Have a look at the universal joint itself while you're there.  These can be checked by trying to turn the column by hand above and below the universal joint.  Basically get under the bonnet and give everything a good wiggle.



#6 Robdog77

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Posted 02 April 2018 - 04:06 PM

Appreciate that duncanm.
It seems to be at the beginning of the turn I think.
I will check everything in a few mins..
If it requires a steering knuckle,is that an expensive repair by a mechanic..
No chance could I do it myself..lol
I love my cars..but if I did the job,I probably end up hitting a tree because of no steering..lol

#7 El_Freddo

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Posted 03 April 2018 - 08:52 AM

I'd say steering knuckle too.

If that checks out clean, next on my list would be ball joints and then struts. When Subaru struts start to die they can make a very low knock sound either over very small changes in the road surface or when at full lock in one direction or the other.

If it's a steering wheel nut you may be able to pull the wheel towards you and feel it move. Otherwise pull the airbag and check the torque on the nut itself.

Cheers

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#8 JDWhiteWRX

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Posted 04 April 2018 - 09:00 PM

Loose bolts on the steering knuckle.


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#9 Robdog77

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Posted 05 April 2018 - 01:21 AM

Appreciate everyone’s helpful input..
So problem sorted now,and it turned out to be a non existent bolt from the intermediate shaft..
Absolutely no bolt there at all..was very disconcerting to find that there was nothing holding the steering shaft to the knuckle..but considering all the possibilities of what could have been the issue..I was very happy to find after purchasing a shaft bolt from Subaru,that once I inserted bolt,all steering play and knocking noises have completely been rectified..
Thankyou again guys..
Hoping to put up some pics of the new ride once I figure out how to upload them..

#10 duncanm

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Posted 05 April 2018 - 08:29 AM

yowza!

 

Could only be the last clown who worked on it.



#11 El_Freddo

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Posted 05 April 2018 - 11:04 AM

Glad it's all sorted!

Cheers

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