One of those evenings...

[Styperman]

You know when something should be straightforward, but things conspire against you, well thats happened to me this evening.  

I decided to try and cure the well documented steering squeak.  In doing so, I inadvertently pushed the power steering reservoir filter into the reservoir itself.   Don't ask.  Just don't.  

No matter what implement I used, I just could not 'feel' it in there.  This led to more and more fluid being drained out (complete with spillages!).   In the end I caught site of it. Of course, it was just out of reach of every tool I had. 

In failing light there was no alternative but to call for assistance.  Within a quick 15 minutes the RAC arrived!.  It only took us both an hour to root out!.

After he had gone, I then followed the remainder of the technical bulletin and it all went swimmingly!.  So what so have taken 20 mins actually took 2 hours 20 mins.

But the squeak has gone. So its a good result!.  I hope you all have had a better evening than me.  Feel free to post annecdotes of simple jobs going wrong, it might just cheer me up!

[Old Peter]

Hi Matt, 

These things are sent to try us.

In 1970 the fan belt on my Austin 1100 snapped one late Saturday evening when we were visiting my parents. I managed to obtain one on the Sunday morning and when I started the so the job in dropped several of the little screws that  held on the case that was attached to the end of the transverse engine which enclosed the fan.  What I thought was an half hour job became a 7 hour job!  I had changed on on my Triumph Herald some years before i about ten minutes.

Peter.

[Guest]

Sorry to hear about your grief Matt and will keep this object lesson in mind for the future.

If I may though I would like to pick your mind, and any others looking in, on the subject of squeaky steering as I am a little unsure what squeak is under the microscope here.

To explain; whenever I turn the steering wheel of my S Type there is a quiet, low pitched, squeak that I have been thinking was a little interference between the steering column and the cabin furniture that surrounds it. Also however, when I turn the wheel to full lock (either direction) and hold it there while gently accelerating I sometimes get a different squeak / grinding noise from the front underside which I think may be associated with the power steering kit.

From a mechanical perspective I know that I need to be more concerned with the noises coming from the front end but bluntly the one inside is much more annoying. Have you, or anyone else, got some pointers concerning cause and fix for both of the above please?

Cheers in advance.

Steve

 

[Styperman]

Hi Steve, the squeak that I had did sound exactly as if it was an interaction between the back of the steering wheel and the cabin furniture.  It was as if it could be easily silenced by a quick squirt of silicon lubricant between the back of the wheel and the column. The closest I can get to replicating the sound is by pulling out an extendable dog lead. The sound is similar to the lead winding itself back in. Or may be a vacuum cleaner power cord being retracted (if you have one that winds itself in).  

I believe that the sound is from a seal in the power steering system.  Jaguar produced an additive.  I got it for around 10 quid off eBay. There is a technical service bulletin that can be footless and downloaded that explains what needs to be done.  It is straightforwards, if you don't make my mistake!.

Sadly, I cannot comment on the squeak/grinding from the underside.  Mine is quiet in that respect at present. But now I've said that, you know what will happen...

[Guest]

Cheers Matt,

With your object lesson firmly in mind I'll get hold of the additive and the TSB and get the job done - always good to get rid of annoying squeaks.

I'll keep monitoring my hard-lock noises and let you/others know if anything nasty develops.

Keep smiling.