The Maverick

Hi All,

I own a lovely WRX STI Type R import and have just started to notice a chattering noise and some judder when driving it.
The chattering noise happens when turning the steering wheel. It seems worse first thing in the morning when the car is cold before I have driven it.
The chattering noise and judder seems particularly noticeable when driving round corners or tight bends. (I can just hear it over the exhaust! lol!) It also happens when turning the steering wheel when parking but it is less noticeable.
When driving round tight bends the steering feels like it is fighting back. The car has the DCCD diff. control thingy. There is also a very slight whirring when driving in a straight line where once it was silent. (This may not be related).
I thought it might be something to do with the power steering pump and took it to a garage for Jap motors (not a Scooby specialist). It was warm when they road tested it and they said that it 'might' be the pump. The fluid was also a bit murky.
I thought I would check on here if anyone recognises the symptoms before I go about getting parts replaced. The car is a 97 model.
Can anyone help with this?
Also, I have noticed that since the winter weather the moving parts in the engine are slightly noisier (whirring) where once they were silent. Can anyone advise on what I should be lubricating?

Many thanks.

Flib

iTrader: (2)

What position do you have the DCCD set on?

Andy

Imran21

iTrader: (5)

The juddering noise while performing tight turns etc is normal with DCCD equipped cars. It is more noticeable when the DCCD is on full lock.
I believe it should only be in this setting in the wet or on any loose surface. Otherwise drive with it open.
You can also learn all the intricacies of how the DCCD functions by doing a search on the forum.

Cheers,
Imran

The Maverick

Hi,

Thanks for the replies.
The DCCD dial is right back, i.e. in the Off position! This is assuming that moving the dial forward brings the DCCD into operation. It is definitely a new noise/judder when the DCCD is off.

Does this sound like a power steering fault??

The Maverick

Thumbs down to AFR Tuning in Crawley who failed to diagnose what was causing the steering fault and suggested that I could start by replacing the power steering pump. (Like I'm made of money!). I'm still waiting for the quote by the way!?!
Thumbs up and thank you to Subaru4You for diagnosing the problem and fixing it free of charge! Turns out the power steering fluid was low. It's all topped up and I'm keeping an eye on the levels! Thank you S4U!