I have an 04 RSX Type S and I am getting a really disturbing noise coming from the steering mechanism:
--low pitched squeaking/straining/grinding noise
--happens anytime I turn the wheel sitting still or moving, no difference
--it has been really cold here for the past 2 weeks
--only suspension mod is Koni's, had those for 6 months and this is the first time I have noticed the noise
--happens even when the car is NOT running and I turn the wheel (no power steering)
--happens when I turn the wheel from straight to left or right, same noise turning back to straight ahead
--it's freaking me out

Any ideas? I have heard of a power steering pulley problem with the RSX, but because it is happening even when the car is off it leads me to believe it is something more "mechanical" like metal that is straining --maybe a worn out bushing somewhere? The steering seems to be OK, but I don't want to damage anything by driving it. Help!

 

you could try synthetic power steering fluid but i would just take it back to the dealer and have them replace it for free you shouldent be stuck with a pos pump

 

But if I can replicate the sound even when the car is off (no power steering) do you still think it is the pump?

 

I think you have to take off the cover right behind your steering wheel and just spray some lube in all the joints. YOu should be fine no big deal

 

i jsut installed a swap and my **** makes noise aswell and the oil in the containter is like boiling and steams is coming out what could be the problem

is it the p/s pump thats bad or is it the rack and pinion???

 

u have the "creaking steering rack" that tons of other people have with ep's. not sure if all the rsx's are having that problem but what u are describing sounds exactly like what the ep's have. do a search on it there are threads at ephatch.com about it. seems when u lower ur car it changes the angle of ur tie rods and causes them to make a creaking sound.

 

my car is stock height

 

So is mine...

Would the Koni's make a difference?

 

some cars are making the noise even at stock height. there isn't a recall or anything about it but some people have had defective steering racks. just go to the dealer and they should fix it under warranty

 

i have an extra rsx rack and pinion should i try changing that first or should i change the p/s pump first

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by cmoney555 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">u have the "creaking steering rack" that tons of other people have with ep's. not sure if all the rsx's are having that problem but what u are describing sounds exactly like what the ep's have. do a search on it there are threads at ephatch.com about it. seems when u lower ur car it changes the angle of ur tie rods and causes them to make a creaking sound. </TD></TR></TABLE> its usually after a lowering, or a drop. for some reason this happens. i took it to Honda and they said that it was of the lowering springs that i had put on the ep. but, who knows

 

today i checked and the **** in the little container is bubbling up and steam comes out

is there air in my rack and pinion??? and if there is how do i get it out???

could it be my p/s pump thats bad????


can someone please help

 

it's most likely the rack, my gf's rsx would run out of ps fluid every week, we brought it in, they fixed the seals on the rack, a week later same issue, so they replaced the whole rack, haven't had a problem since.

 

its not leaking from the rack and pinion its leaking out of the resevoir tank whne its bubling up in there and the oil is all bubbly

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mattsroush &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Any ideas? I have heard of a power steering pulley problem with the RSX</TD></TR></TABLE>

Not to hijack the thread, but do you (or anyone else) have more details on the pulley problem you speak of? I just took my '04 RSX auto into the dealership for "grinding" noise coming from my P/S pump and they SWEAR they don't know what I'm talking about. I have to go in there today to ******* point it out to them.

 

does your **** make the noise when u turn the steering wheel cause my does??


and does steam come out of your p/s resevoir?? mine does

and does it leak out of the p/s resevoir?? mine does

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TYPERman2001 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">does your **** make the noise when u turn the steering wheel cause my does??


and does steam come out of your p/s resevoir?? mine does

and does it leak out of the p/s resevoir?? mine does</TD></TR></TABLE>

Mine is a bit different. No steam, no leakage. The only thing I notice is that whenever I'm in drive OR "sport shift" as they call it, and idling at a stop light/sign I hear a LOUD grinding sound coming from the engine bay. This does not happen in either park, or neutral. I verified it was the PS pump, as I had someone hold the brakes while in drive, and listened for noise coming from that area. Sure enough, there is a visible and audible vibration. Maybe a broken bearing? The pulley doesn't seem to be loose. Noise doesn't seem to be any louder while steering. I can't tell if it only makes that noise at idle due to the fact that the gridning *could* be muffled by the engine noise.

 

can someone help

 

??????

 

lowering changes the steering angle and after time will need to be lubed because of extra wear due to the increased angles......

 

my car is stock height complete stock car

 

any experts on this site?????

 

????????????????????

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mattsroush &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
--happens even when the car is NOT running and I turn the wheel (no power steering)

--it's freaking me out
Help!</TD></TR></TABLE>

that sucks!!

 

I checked both sides and the big nut that holds the piston in place is as tight as it gets...torque is supposed to be 35 lb/ft (I think) and it is at least that, probably more.

I had the guy who installed the Koni's take a quick look and he said it sounds like some "sticktion" going on somewhere...like when something is supposed to turn smoothly but instead gets "hung up" and turns in short little quick movements instead, causing vibration. Going to take it in to him on Monday or Tuesday but don't want to spend any money if this is something I can fix easily myself...any idea what other moving parts down there could produce this kind of noise?