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Steering - slight "groan" at full lock and low speed sometimes

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Old 11-16-2012, 12:41 AM
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stickypatch
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Default Steering - slight "groan" at full lock and low speed sometimes

Should I be concerned? I've had the car for almost a couple of months now and it's still under the limited used car warranty. Is this slight groan (which I'm not certain I can actually hear or whether I'm actually feeling it through the steering wheel) indicative of a power steering problem of any kind? I hear/feel it in places like car parks. It's intermittent too.
Old 11-16-2012, 12:43 AM
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CamsPorsche
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I just had something similar and it turned out to be the suspension camber bolts were loose. All tightened up and there's no more groan on cornering or during parking.

One other thing to look at is a wheel bearing going...
Old 11-16-2012, 01:23 AM
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stickypatch
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Thanks for replying so quickly

Originally Posted by CamsPorsche
I just had something similar and it turned out to be the suspension camber bolts were loose. All tightened up and there's no more groan on cornering or during parking.
That's interesting - I had a wheel alignment done a few weeks ago. Are the camber bolts at the top of the shock absorber - ie: accessed by opening the bonnet (or "frunk"....)? Or are they part of the assembly by the wheel?

One other thing to look at is a wheel bearing going...
How do I check this?
Old 11-16-2012, 04:33 AM
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Stewart
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Check that you have sufficient power steering fluid. Once that gets low (or empty) you can get bubbles in the system, the pump then cavitates and you hear the groan and feel the vibration through the steering wheel. If it is lack of fluid, top up with the correct stuff (pentosin) and keep an eye on it - generally it shouldn't disappear unless you've got a leak. A leak could be steering rack, pump or split pipes.
Old 11-16-2012, 09:18 AM
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TMc993
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+1 on the power steering fluid. Check that first.
Old 11-16-2012, 11:11 AM
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IXLR8
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Originally Posted by stickypatch
I hear/feel it in places like car parks.
And you said at full lock. How many miles on your 993? PS fluid at the correct level?

Do you have a AWD 993 with possible worn CV joints out front? Is the "groan" more noticeable when coming down car park ramps onto the flats at full lock?
Old 11-16-2012, 11:30 AM
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Mark in Baltimore
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It's never a good idea to crank the wheel to full lock; it's supposed to be tough on the power steering pump. Instead, it's best to know where full lock is and then make sure that you don't hit the steering stop.
Old 11-16-2012, 06:28 PM
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jenskleis
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I had persistent groaning when turning and going down-hill/up-hill at the same time, typically when entering or exiting an underground parking.

It turned out to be the front sway bar bushings that needed greasing. Easy and cheap to fix.
Old 11-16-2012, 08:47 PM
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pkrasusky
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'where' do you hear it from?

meaning

out @ a corner / pump area / rack / other?

funny... I posted exactly the same question a coupla weeks back... 100 views, 0 replies. You garnered 7 in a few hours:

https://rennlist.com/forums/993-foru...heel-rest.html

I let it go at the time but now wonder... what gives??? 8-)... Bueller?

Like you said, intermittent and don't exactly feel it thru the steering wheel like I would from a typical pump or rack issue I've experienced in the past.

We had a Nor'easter here and then I've been travelling since I posted that so I unfortunately haven't had time to get the 'bish up on stands to try to discern it for mesself, but had hoped for some insight from youses har - surprised @ the crickets 8-/...

Last edited by pkrasusky; 11-16-2012 at 09:18 PM.
Old 11-17-2012, 03:51 PM
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stickypatch
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Originally Posted by pkrasusky:10004720
'where' do you hear it from?

meaning

out @ a corner / pump area / rack / other?

funny... I posted exactly the same question a coupla weeks back... 100 views, 0 replies. You garnered 7 in a few hours:

https://rennlist.com/forums/993-foru...heel-rest.html

I let it go at the time but now wonder... what gives??? 8-)... Bueller?

Like you said, intermittent and don't exactly feel it thru the steering wheel like I would from a typical pump or rack issue I've experienced in the past.

We had a Nor'easter here and then I've been travelling since I posted that so I unfortunately haven't had time to get the 'bish up on stands to try to discern it for mesself, but had hoped for some insight from youses har - surprised @ the crickets 8-/...
It hear it out at the corner by the wheel (driver's side on my RHD car).
Old 11-17-2012, 05:30 PM
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Mark in Baltimore
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Originally Posted by pkrasusky
'where' do you hear it from?

meaning

out @ a corner / pump area / rack / other?

funny... I posted exactly the same question a coupla weeks back... 100 views, 0 replies. You garnered 7 in a few hours:

https://rennlist.com/forums/993-foru...heel-rest.html

I let it go at the time but now wonder... what gives??? 8-)... Bueller?

Like you said, intermittent and don't exactly feel it thru the steering wheel like I would from a typical pump or rack issue I've experienced in the past.

We had a Nor'easter here and then I've been travelling since I posted that so I unfortunately haven't had time to get the 'bish up on stands to try to discern it for mesself, but had hoped for some insight from youses har - surprised @ the crickets 8-/...
No real data to support this claim, but I think Fridays and Saturdays are the worst time to start new threads since people are busy with kids and other activities that pull them away from the computer. The page count probably shows that lots of folks are viewing the thread on smart phones but don't have the time or patience to answer.
Old 11-17-2012, 11:59 PM
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gtroth
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Groan was low PS fluid for me.
Old 11-18-2012, 12:23 AM
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Had the same issue on my R32. Power steering fluid was below the low mark.
Old 11-18-2012, 09:48 AM
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pkrasusky
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Originally Posted by Mark in Baltimore
No real data to support this claim, but I think Fridays and Saturdays are the worst time to start new threads since people are busy with kids and other activities that pull them away from the computer. The page count probably shows that lots of folks are viewing the thread on smart phones but don't have the time or patience to answer.
thanks for that insight Mark, appreciate it
Old 11-18-2012, 03:40 PM
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stickypatch
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I checked my power steering fluid level - while the car was idling as per the manual. The level was at the high mark on the wee dipstick.


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