Advise / Opinion needed - Steering / Handling

[Gwyn]

Hi all - need more expert opinion. Lately, the FTO has been doing what all FTO's do from time to time - generating wierd noises from places where there should be none.......

Main one is from the steering. Every so often, when turning, the steering makes a noise I can best describe as a loud (sometimes very loud) strained, BRRRRR......BRRRRRR with each turn of the wheel- make any sense ?? Can really hear it if I stop, keep it in neutral and just turn the wheel. Comes and goes though.

Other noise should be easier - lately, when going up the revs, the usual grumble of the V6 is accompanied by that nasty 'airy' whine. I think there was a thread on this a while back but I couldn't dig it out. What needs to be done here ?

One other observation - whenever the accelerator is hit hard in first, on a less than perfect road - the handling does not seem right - like you have to fight with the car and the steering wheel to keep it straight - generally it could be described as a bit skittish. Is this just poor grip from the tyres, or something more sinister ??

All that said, back in love with the FTO at the minute (comes and goes) but the noises really spoil the driving experience. Have had the car over a year and half now, and still look at it and can't believe it's mine. Thought the novelty would have worn off by now, but you'd be amazed what Turtle Wax can do.

Appreciate any input.......

Gwyn

[CJ]

Power steering pump or pulley issues come to mind, is your PS fluid topped up?

Re the engine whine you talk about, has it always been there, is it intermittant? Again, it could be a worn pully somewhere, I'm assuming its not induction roar

The scittishness you describe when florring it in first is torque steer, its an issue with powerful FWD cars, hard driving low down the rev range with bad traction thrown in won't exactly help matters.

CJ

[Muad_dib77]

The loud noises sound like a worn mechanical part - could be the pump or a pulley.. and I'd hasard a guess and say you probably have a spot of air in your system.. it happens.. aparently..

To get the air out it's actually a remarkably simple procedure.. take the lid of the reservoir (make sure there's fluid in there, obviously) - full lock left, full lock right, check fluid level, repeat till fluid level remains the same..
I've seen people describe this process and suggest to do a couple of turns with the ignition off, but to me that seems a waste of time... you need to have the pump going to shift the air & fluid around the system, so do it with the engine running Doesn't take long - and if you get an assistant to do the steering for you - you might even identify the source of the other noise. (Wahey!)

[Gwyn]

Thanks as always for the good advice. Brought the FTO around to Kelly's Garage in Lusk - where I always take it - and they sorted me out. The steering was a mix of fluid and pump. The fluid is fully topped now - but I need a new pump. My friend works in customs clearance, and he clears all spare parts for Mitsubishi - so is checking that avenue out for me. Failing that, would Camskill be the place ?

I also got the ARB's worked on too - and the difference in the driving experience is huge. Steering is taut and responsive, and the back end feels like a part of the car again - annoying knocks from the rear end gone too. Whenever they work on the car they always manage to fix something I never mentioned was broken. In this case, it was the heater. I haven't had air blowing from the vents in over a year. I had heat - eventually - but nothing blowing. Got the car back yesterday and was wondering why I was freezing after 2 minutes in her. Totally sorted. Would recommend Kelly's to anyone on this side of the City

[kevinod]

Always cool when something thats been wrong for a while is sorted out!

Wrt the pump, Camskill or Ricerocket on here are your best bets alright I'd say, both should be able to sort out whatever you need.