Jules_E

I have searched extensively on this and have not found any clear answers, but give my apologies in advance if this is a well know issue and has been answered before.

When I pull away with full lock on (or nearly full lock), there is a very unnerving juddering/grating from the front wheels/suspension that I can also feel through the steering wheel. At times, it feels as if the tyres are buckling (which I'm sure they aren't) or that something is grating in the driven parts near the wheel on the inside of the turn (sorry not very technical terminology, I know ).

This problem only really happens when the car is cold and once it has been driven for a short way, the problem disappears.

I took the car into Cheam Motors for them to investigate, suggesting that it might be the CV joint. They found nothing amiss (although I still had a nice bill to pay!).

Does anyone have any idea what might be causing this and whether I should be worried? I don't like to think that something might be about to fail, but then it is strange that the car is fine once warmed up.

I have read posts that talk about issues with the diff when cold, but it feels like the grating/juddering comes from the wheel area. Perhaps diff issues are felt at the wheel & through the steering? I must say, I am at a loss on this one.

In case it is relevant, I have an 05 wrx with a stage 1 suspension kit from powerstation (whiteline ARBs anti-lift kit) on standard springs and F1 Eagle GSD3s (XL) (which, incidentally, I deliberated over for far too long, but now love, so there's not blame there!).

mje_wrx

iTrader: (6)

not sure what the issue is, but a start is to elimate what u can test urself. so u can jack car up and manual turn wheels by hand feeling for play, u wud feel any hard spots on the rack then, of nothing, take track rod ends off so suspension leg is free and check that for any stiffness or grinding, using pry bar, pressure all bushes and check to make sure they arent worn. while ur there check wheel bearing, remove wheel and check calipers etc, any moving part u can look at urself. by diconnecting the track rod ends it elimates anything being hiden by the rack as u will be working agaist it when turning wheels, do this with engine off and on, as pump will help rack when engine on, cud be issues there.

Jules_E

Many thanks for this response and I will try to investigate some of the potential causes you have suggested. The fact that the problem disappears when the car has been driven for a while makes me think it could be some kind of rubber component that softens rapidly after a bit of movement, or perhaps, oil in the diff being cold? The latter seems unlikely to me, as I would have thought the diff would work fine from cold and, as mentioned above, the juddering does seem to come from the wheel area.

It's a shame that I live some way from the specialists (Powerstation, who I greatly respect) and Mocom, as I think they would be more likely to be able to help. I'm in SW London, so after that long a drive, I'm sure the problem wouldn't manifest itself at all.

Myles

iTrader: (40)

Is it when you pull off your driveway? Mine sometimes makes a noise when one front wheel drops off the drive onto the road and the other is still on the drive (reversing out) Does it happen wherever you are pulling away from. It could be the surface you are driving on.

Luther

iTrader: (13)

I have this exact problem and I'm thinking it might be something to do with the power steering pump or the belt.... Have you tightened the belt slightly? I don't profess to be any sort of expert but this helped me for a little while before it came back.....

Next thing I'm going to try is new oils all round.... Will let you know if this helps.

Myles

iTrader: (40)

Aah yes, you just jogged my memory. check the belt. I had the same about a year ago, juddering of the steering when cold, the belt was starting to split down its length between the toothed parts. A new belt sorted it right out.

Well done Luther, spot on.

nick172sport

iTrader: (6)

discs warped had it with mine also brake pads move around on full lock when cold

Jules_E

Thanks for the idea about looking at the power steering belt. I would never have thought of that!

Dropping off kerbs doesn't cause any issues and it happens on completely flat surfaces.

Jules_E

Would warped discs create more issues when on full lock? It would surprise me if it was this as the discs are quite new and I have never had any issues with braking at all. I suppose the pads could be an issue, but it doesn't feel like the pads are catching. It's quite hard to describe exactly how it feels, but it's as if the car is going over a few sharp bumps in the road while something is not rotating freely, but is jamming against another moving part and releasing. Normally, it will only do make this noise 3-4 times in turning a 90 degree bend.

Given that it only happens when the car is cold, I would be happy to forget about it, but I have a nagging fear that something isn't working as it should and could ultimately fail.

Myles

iTrader: (40)

I found that the problem would arise when the car was cold, and just off full lock both ways, a judder as though the belt was slipping and the assistance was being removed. It was the belt.

Luther

iTrader: (13)

Nice one....

I'll re-tighten mine again over the weekend....