Creaky steering wheel

[Forestgreen]

Haven't posted for a while in these fora as I haven't had anything really go wrong with Forestgreen in a while (touch wooden dashboard....) despite being nearly a quarter of a century old now. Mileage has gone down a bit since the pandemic turned my 15 mile trip to the office into a 15 step walk up the stairs to work, which has probably helped with longevity.

Anyway recently I have noticed a creaking noise coming from the steering wheel at low speed if turned more than about an eight of a turn (ie 45 degrees or more from horizontal/straight). Turn to a quarter turn/90 degrees or more and it gets much more noticeable. No clunks or "gives", no whines. Can't say I notice it when driving more than around 15mph though road noise may be drowning it out. So I notice it mostly in carparks or on side roads. Bit easier to hear if turning to the right, but can happen in both directions.

And the last couple of times I've had the car out it's been getting louder and more obvious.

Any suggestions? Is the car safe to drive? And where should I take it to - a Twitfit type tyre and suspension place, a nearby decent general garage or one of the remaining Rover 75 forum experts (nearest one being other side of the country to me probably)?

Any suggestions?

Bonus problem to solve - the rear passenger lock buttony thing that pokes out the doorcard and that you press to lock the door has fallen off. Not that I would ever need to press a button in the doorcard to lock the door, but it's left a little hole and is obviously missing compared to the other side. I don't like things falling off my lovely car and leaving holes. Is it easy to get replaced?

[suzublu]

I would suggest droplinks as first port of call for the noise, cheap and simple fix, if that's the cause.

Sent from my SM-A145R using Tapatalk

[xsport]

front shock absorber top mounts probably.

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by Forestgreen

... recently I have noticed a creaking noise coming from the steering wheel ...

In that case David I'd say that external components are unlikely to be responsible. It's probably just due to the lack of use your car has had.

If you're worried, book it in for an early MOT test. That will establish whether it's safe to drive (and be relatively cheap too).

Originally Posted by Forestgreen

Bonus problem to solve - the rear passenger lock buttony thing that pokes out the doorcard and that you press to lock the door has fallen off.

Unlike the door sill buttons on earlier generations of car, I've considered these to be indicators only on the 75/ZT. Although RAVE says that they can be used to lock each door individually from inside the vehicle, using the master switch on the centre console is a better option. This will disable the exterior door handles but the doors can still be opened from the inside with two pulls of the release handle.

Simon

[Forestgreen]

UPDATE


Took it to my local garage who are normally pretty good at fixing things, and they diagnosed the problem as a driver's side top mount bearing issue, so I got a brand new one from DMGRS and had it fitted.


Creaking noise is still there just as bad whenever I turn the steering wheel more than about 45 degrees (ie an eighth of a turn) in either direction. Poor car sounds so sorry for itself, it's embarrassing.


TLDR: tried that didn't work. Next suggestion please?

[barry]

Hello Forest Green

Mine is a V6 180 Sport with 95000km showing.
A few creaks and light knocks started around the 90000km mark from the steering.
Car has had a fairly easy life, one owner since 2004, so was a bit disappointed with the extraneous noises from under. Audible at low speed on uneven surfaces. Quiet on straight travel. Intermittent and unable to identify.
Have used a suspension specialist to give a checkover. He did find the locating bolts for the rear suspension needed re torqueing, likewise checked the front suspension, tightening the top fixing nuts on the struts and any wear observable on any joints. Nothing out of order showed. But car felt a lot tauter afterwards. Issued a new Warrant of fitness (MOT). A lone creak is audible and felt when steering wheel is moved 45deg left or right when stationary.
Have decided to ignore meantime the extraneous noises and not fit my hearing aids. Just enjoy the ride at least until a definite problem arises.
Good luck with your search
Barry

[xsport]

Originally Posted by xsport

front shock absorber top mounts probably.

Apart from the above , there is also the seating of the springs to consider. I have mentioned before about these springs not being finished correctly at top and bottom. Some have curled up ends , and sat side by side to other new ones ,there are big differences. I renewed and had to renew again the same springs. The point im making is that if the spring ends are not seating properly ,they will dig in and not allow the correct rotation. There are stop locations that just cannot locate at the bottom support,and at the top will destroy the mount rubber , when turned. There is a definite amount of care to take when renewing these on assembly to make sure that the top mounts are aligned square to their threaded mounts, or they will rotate at an angle. .. I have bought springs from reputable suppliers and am now very wary of what i buy. ...