Crunching noise when turning car

[lgch25]

Hi

 

 

 

I know this isn't necessarily a "consumer question" but two years ago I got some really good car maintenance advice on here and I'm hoping someone may be able to help me again!

 

I am having a problem with Citroen Saxo Desire 1.1

Petrol engine

Hatchback

2003 53,000 miles on the clock

 

When I turn a corner to the left at a slow speed 5 - 20 mph I occasionally hear a kind of crunching / grinding noise which sounds like it is coming from the front right hand side (driver side). It doesn't happen every time and only seems to happen when turning at a certain speed or angle. If I'm very slow and gentle around a corner it mostly won't happen!

 

Now I had a problem with the CV joint gaitor 2 years ago and its definitely not the same noise I had then. That was a clunking / knocking noise and this is definitely more of a one off-crunch or knock.

 

In the last two years I have had new CV joint, brakes, calipers and pads and new tyres. (The car is 7 years old and this work was done over two services / Mot a year apart, and is otherwise doing well.) I also had the two back sections of my exhaust replaced about 2 months ago when the back box fell off due to excessive corrosion.

 

Looking online something was mentioned about steering linkage and it could be that it needs lubricating or replacing? Does this sound right? (Only I'm a young blonde girl and I know when I go into a garage it could be tempting for them to take me for a ride, so to speak, and I reckon it has happened before. So I would like to go in saying what I think it is and hopefully avoid being completely taken to the cleaners!)

 

Any advice on what it might be (and if you can, an indication of likely repair costs i.e. more or less than £100) would be greatly appreciated!

 

Thanks so much!

Laura

[Conniff]

Welcome back. You of course recognise that without an inspection there is not definate way to tell as it could be a few things.

 

A couple of questions. Is the noise continuous as you are rounding the corner or just while you are turning the wheel?

 

Does it happen when turning in either direction?

 

My thinking at this moment is the suspension spring/s.

[lgch25]

Hi Conniff

 

Yeah I know I will have to get it looked at, my thought was that if I go in saying "I have been advised it might be X or Y" then they might be slightly less inclined to try to fob me off with unneccesary repairs. (I think I have found a good garage now but I've only been there once).

 

The noise isn't continous, it tends to happen at a certain point during turning and only when the turn is more than about 75 degrees. I haven't noticed it on gentle corners or when I'm turning right.

 

Sometimes I wonder if I'm being paranoid and imagining it because it doesn't happen all the time(!). But I guess better to be paranoid and get it checked out than leave it and end up with my wheel falling off or something! I might get my Dad to drive it this weekend and see if he notices anything.

 

Laura

[borisbeaver]

It could even be your power steering pump.

[Bazooka Boo]

Drive shaft? Put it on a full left hand down lock and go round in a circle listen for any knocking/grinding, then change to the opposite lock and listen again for knocking/grinding.

 

If it's a definite grinding noise, then I suspect the wheel bearings, which can be checked by going to whichever wheel station is making the grinding noise and grab the wheel on top of the tyre and pull push in a rocking motion if there is any movement it will be your wheel bearing either collapsed or on it's way out.

 

Then again, could be the steering column bushes, the steering rack, the horses head rolling round in the boot...

Edited July 14, 2010 by Bazooka Boo

[heliosuk]

Common on the Saxo is the lower arm rear suspension bush and they go about this mileage. The strut moves as designed to a certain position and the pre load gives. However it's generally a knock and can be heard quite clearly over corrugated roads.

 

It won't be in the steering linkage as are sealed for life joints and nylon bushed. Neither will it be the wheel bearing.

 

What it is more than likely is the wheel catching the wheel arch liner. The lower rear of the liner should be inside the lip of the end of the sill and secured about 1 inch up by a screw. The screw is guaranteed to fall out by design!!! ( French again!)

 

To look at it you wouldn't think there was anything wrong.

 

I don't suppose it started to happen after driving in heavy rain did it?

[lgch25]

Hi

 

Very sorry everyone, I thought I had posted an update on this ages ago when I had my car looked at, but clearly not!

 

It was my front offside wheel bearing, which only cost me £45 to fix (phew). Although at the same time as fixing it the garage noticed a fault with my seat belt.... only £145 to replace! Gaaarr!

 

Thanks very much for your advice, very helpful as ever!!

 

Laura xx