intermittent steering grind

[DomP182]

My 172 has what I first thought was a knackered ps pump as it was grinding/crunching and sometimes a belt squeal near full lock or at car park speeds when turning.
Today it seemed to have disappeared or nearly except the odd grinding noise near to full lock. One other theory was a loose aux belt, a trip to a garage is the obvious answer but except Renault there is nobody near me (hereford) I know of with any knowledge of Renaultsports. Any thoughts would be most welcome

 

[Dan@M.A.D]

Is it like a light knocking noise?

 

[DomP182]

no its a bit more of a crunch/creak noise (almost like dry steering on gravel or ice) and a few times it sounded like a slight belt squeak, just weird that it disappeared so I went around the car park at work going lock to lock and it was fine but the later on it was back but not as severe. My main worry is that its the aux belt being loose and its going to take the cambelt out

 

[Dan@M.A.D]

If it's when your turning at low speed then it's most likely the common top strut issue. It's usually either a knock or a creak

Have a read through this & let me know if you need the washers
http://www.cliosport.net/forum/show...t-top-knocking-fix&highlight=top+strut+washer

 

[DomP182]

Hmm I might be wrong but it sounds like its coming from lower down. I will have to have a look tomorrow. If I sit engine running and steer (to the right mostly) it grumbles as the power steering cuts in and I thought it sounded metallic. Thanks for the strut idea though,I think I will just do that anyway will let you know

 

[mgoode180566]

Mine did this for a while. Then the crankshaft pulley fell in half !

 

[DomP182]

very weird this as it has all but stopped today, has saved me some fuel though coz Ive been driving cautiously like its going to help

 

[Gavin.]

Did you find out what this was Dom? My 1.2 is doing exactly the same thing, sounds like the steering rack is grinding/scraping on something but it only does it while accelerating and turning.

 

[DomP182]

think so I have got some spacing washers now to stop the struts catching on the suspension turrets as a starting point. we will see!

 

[Gavin.]

Hmm, mine is in the garage tomorrow. It needs two new track rod ends anyway, the grinding seems to have stopped but i'm sure they will have a look.