Internal squeaking and groaning ...

[Michael-Pinner]

Hi,

I have a 1988 XJ-S - had it for nearly two years and recently there has been a lot of squeaking, or better described as groaning coming from what sounds like the steering column.

I had a look and a couple of very old screws were very loose. i tightened them but its not made much of a difference.... any ideas?

[AndyF]

Hi Michael,

Could it be steering column bearings? Do you get any play or free movement when you pull or push the steering wheel from side to side or in and out?

Does the groaning happen when you turn the wheel?

One lateral thought - does it happen when you turn the wheel at low speed or stationary? If so, it could be the power steering pump cavitating (check for PAS fluid level) or the PAS belt slipping....

Failing that, if you drop the driver's knee roll trim, is there anything fowling the column? Or has the lower column seal - where it passes through the bulkhead deteriorated and bound up with the column?

AF

[greeban]

I have a 95 year celebration and found having left it lying over winter a year or two back, the knuckle joint on the engine side of the bulk head had become stiff and needed lubricating - perhaps this is making the groaning sounds?