Vibrations coming up Steering Column on CDTi

[Edward Huggins]

Help! I have just bought a 55 plate CDTi and find a very pronounced vibration coming up the steering column when the car is stationary and with the engine idling.

It varies in intensity at different steering wheel positions. At its worst, it also makes a quite audible creaking/resonant sound - like metal to metal contact.

I realise that the CDTi will not run as smooth as my previous V6, but this really feels very "agricultural". This is my very first diesel vehicle.

I have been advised that the non-return valve in the steering rack may be faulty and interferring with the hydraulic fluid flow.

Has anyone any experience of this? Any guidance will be most welcome. ED

[Dorset Bob]

I had an early diesel and didn't notice any problems, but they were fitted with dampers like this

They stopped fitting them under the cost-cutting "Project Drive" programme.

Maybe, it might be worth trying to source one.

[wuzerk]

Sounds as though you need to carefully check the top drivers side engine
mount (The Hydramount). it is filled with glycol so check for leakage or cracking of the rubber. In normal use the rubber gradually hardens so that it is no longer able to absorb the normal vibrations so that they are transmitted
through the seats and steering wheel etc.

[ProfDave]

and the lower engine mount; not had a car recently that has not needed it changing

[klarzy]

if you are getting metallic noises from the steering you should also replace the strut top bearings...

[Edward Huggins]

Originally Posted by klarzy-dials.com

if you are getting metallic noises from the steering you should also replace the strut top bearings...

Thank you all for your various mesages and suggestions. I'll look into these. ED

[Edward Huggins]

Originally Posted by wuzerk

Sounds as though you need to carefully check the top drivers side engine
mount (The Hydramount). it is filled with glycol so check for leakage or cracking of the rubber. In normal use the rubber gradually hardens so that it is no longer able to absorb the normal vibrations so that they are transmitted
through the seats and steering wheel etc.

Thanks for this suggestion. Based on this, I've now had the mounting "Acorns" checked out both sides and all looks fine with no perishing/seepage. I've now ordered a replacement sterering rack. The experts at x-Part think the non-return valve on the hydraulics may have failed. I'll post the results here. If ther's no improvement, it will have been an expensive exercise for me!! ED

[Edward Huggins]

Originally Posted by Dorset Bob

I had an early diesel and didn't notice any problems, but they were fitted with dampers like this

They stopped fitting them under the cost-cutting "Project Drive" programme.

Maybe, it might be worth trying to source one.

Many thanks for this. I guess as mine is a 2005 build, this steering vibration damper (part number QDT100040) will not be fitted. Would you, or others, by any chance know if this can readily be retro-fitted?

[Steve1966]

Originally Posted by Dorset Bob

I had an early diesel and didn't notice any problems, but they were fitted with dampers like this

They stopped fitting them under the cost-cutting "Project Drive" programme.

Maybe, it might be worth trying to source one.

I might be mis-remembering but I'm pretty sure that the damper was only introduced on autos at their launch and the diesel manual never got them. The OP details do not state whether manual or auto however. Either way I'm inclined to suggest that this would not be a cure.

Steve.

[wuzerk]

Originally Posted by Steve1966

I might be mis-remembering but I'm pretty sure that the damper was only introduced on autos at their launch and the diesel manual never got them. The OP details do not state whether manual or auto however. Either way I'm inclined to suggest that this would not be a cure.

Steve.

I agree with you, fitting the damper to my Auto CDT (which had a knackered Hydramount) made no difference whatsoever! I hope i am wrong but changing the steering rack seems like a waste of money to me.