Hey guys, so this Fit that I bought seems to have a few issues. When I turn the wheel left sharply under load, I get a very loud vibration. It only lasts a sec but it's very noticeable and loud. It doesn't happen when in park or at idle. Also, the wheel seems very heavy, specially when turning left. The wheel also doesn't come back when you exit out of a turn.

Does anyone know what could be causing these issues? Could they be related at all? Could it be the EPS unit? Or the rack and pinion? I plugged in a code reader and didn't get any codes but it looks like the battery might have been disconnected recently.

Any help would be great. Thanks.

 

Lift the car on the stands and observe movement of steering linkage (can be stiff outboard cv joint perhaps)

 

Thanks for your reply. Do you think the CV joint would cause such a loud humming / vibration? What else could it be if it's not the CV joint? We looked at them and there's no rips or anything on the boots but I think both CV joints are clicking. I know the left CV joint is clicking when you turn for sure.

Couldn't this be a problem with the EPS or rack and pinion? I saw some video on Youtube of a guy replacing the rack on a newer Civic because the steering wheel wouldn't center after turning. I seem to be having that issue as well but I'm not getting any codes yet.

 

I'm leaning more towards the rack for the heavy steering issue. The loud vibrating, IDK.

 

Swap tires front to back and have the alignment checked.

 

OP:
Have you tried the steering (front wheels of the ground, ignition on ACC)?
If steering is easy, repeat the test with ignition ON messed EPS with screwed torque sensor will turn the wheel by itself (like RC toy) until it stops
If steering wheel turns normally and stops in the center,
switch ignition off and remove front wheels
disconnect tie rod ends from steering knuckles
grab the caliper and rotate each side by hand about 30 degrees (let and right) from straight ahead position and note an effort for each each side
damaged outboard joint, bent front sway bar or bent steering rod ends should be ruled out!

 

I will try what you said but I don't have a hoist or jack to take the wheels off. I would have to go to my mechanic. Thanks.

 

Could a tire make that sorta vibration when turning sharply? I'll try to swap tires.

 

Good luck!

 

Thanks, I put the key at II position and the steering is very heavy, no power steering basically. When the car is on the steering is better but it's still heavy and it doesn't center coming out of a turn. That to me seems like a bad rack and pinion. These are known to fail judging by the complaints I've read online. I'm surprised there's not much info about this issue on here.

 

When front wheels are off the ground and ignition is on ACC there is no weight acting against your effort as well as there is no assist since ignition is off. If at this point the steering is heavy it's mechanical issue (defective rack and pinion perhaps)

 

We put it up on the hoist and the wheels turn freely. It turns easier to the right than it does to the left. My mechanic things the noise and tight steering is the upper front passenger side strut mount. Could this be the issue? I think I'm going to order a complete used strut from the auto wreckers or just sell the car. The front end is also kinda clunking but when we checked everything seems tight.

 

just to clarify, when you turned wheels with on the hoist did you tun ignition on or it was in steering unlock (accessory position)? Strut mount (bearing) makes sense but to fully isolate the issue both tie rod ends must be disconnected from steering knuckles.

 

The wheel was free when on II and on. It was steering free in every position.

 

Is it possible to take off the rubber part on top of the strut and grease the ball bearings? I'm wondering if that would help.

 

Don't think so
When bearing is stuck and wheel off the ground the rubber mount visible under hood will rotate with the strut

 

So the spring is broken. We're waiting for parts. Going to see if this is the problem but it might be. There's scratches at the top of the wheel well from where the spring might have been scratching the body of the car. Part of the spring moved up above the mount.

 

Is there a Pick n Pull near you? Or the like? Make a list and go there when the next GD shows up and get what's on your list. Go for a wheelbarrow full, they let a lot of little parts slid by if you getting a few bigger parts they can get a little money for.

Congrates on you GD3 and welcome to FFs!

But If the spring is broken, ya gotta wonder what did that? New springs and struts can be bought from RockAuto for a good price, and a 4 wheel alignment. ; ^ )

 

Well well well...

You have a vibration under load if you turn sharply left and your left CV joint is clicking. I'd go with replacing the CV joint first.

If the steering problem is still there then try to solve this.

There's a very high chance that your CV joints might be causing your steering problem.

 

Oh, I didn't see this... a broken spring will cause odd problems in the steering on a MacPherson setup.