Sticky electric steering

[Oppie]

The '09 Vue XE 2.4L with electric assist steering started to get a bit hard
steering. Very slight movements caused a creaking/groaning sound. Has
anybody seen this?

Though at first that it may be a strut top bearing. It comes and goes. Can't
say that it correlates to wet weather making the sound stop. It does seem to
get worse after driving for some time regardless of weather.

Jacked up the front end and was able to easily move the wheels back and
forth just by pushing the wheels. couldn't find any kind of play and all
looks good. The steering wheel itself seems a bit stiff. The electric power
assist is under the dash on the steering column and looks to be a big deal
to troubleshoot. The universal joints on the steering shaft and rack and
pinion all appear to be good. Threw some oil on the universals just to
see...

[Oppie]

Looks to be the left front strut mount bearing. Ran the steering wheel back
and forth just a degree or two and felt along the steering and suspension
components for the "stiction". Was most notable on the left front coil
spring. I may pull the left side tie rod end to isolate things before
changing the strut bearing.

Post by Oppie
The '09 Vue XE 2.4L with electric assist steering started to get a bit
hard steering. Very slight movements caused a creaking/groaning sound. Has
anybody seen this?
Though at first that it may be a strut top bearing. It comes and goes.
Can't say that it correlates to wet weather making the sound stop. It does
seem to get worse after driving for some time regardless of weather.
Jacked up the front end and was able to easily move the wheels back and
forth just by pushing the wheels. couldn't find any kind of play and all
looks good. The steering wheel itself seems a bit stiff. The electric
power assist is under the dash on the steering column and looks to be a
big deal to troubleshoot. The universal joints on the steering shaft and
rack and pinion all appear to be good. Threw some oil on the universals
just to see...

[Oppie]

Of course, now that the weather has gotten nice again, the problem seems to
have gone away...
I might still disconnect the tie rod and check for any rough movement.

Post by Oppie
Looks to be the left front strut mount bearing. Ran the steering wheel
back and forth just a degree or two and felt along the steering and
suspension components for the "stiction". Was most notable on the left
front coil spring. I may pull the left side tie rod end to isolate things
before changing the strut bearing.

Post by Oppie
The '09 Vue XE 2.4L with electric assist steering started to get a bit
hard steering. Very slight movements caused a creaking/groaning sound.
Has anybody seen this?
Though at first that it may be a strut top bearing. It comes and goes.
Can't say that it correlates to wet weather making the sound stop. It
does seem to get worse after driving for some time regardless of weather.
Jacked up the front end and was able to easily move the wheels back and
forth just by pushing the wheels. couldn't find any kind of play and all
looks good. The steering wheel itself seems a bit stiff. The electric
power assist is under the dash on the steering column and looks to be a
big deal to troubleshoot. The universal joints on the steering shaft and
rack and pinion all appear to be good. Threw some oil on the universals
just to see...

[t***@gmail.com]

Oppie, I think I remember you from a few years ago when I used to post on this board.

Interesting that the electric assist is on the column. I now have two cars which have the electric assist, a Nissan Leaf and a Honda Civic. And as the karma of the universe would have it, both my other cars, a 1999 Ford Truck and a 1988 Volvo BOTH developed power steering leaks this year.

[Oppie]

Hi Dave-
When the weather got warmer, the binding/stiction problem went away. I have
a feeling that it is the left front strut mount that is binding. Will see if
it comes back and replace the strut mount if necessary.

Post by t***@gmail.com
Oppie, I think I remember you from a few years ago when I used to post on this board.
Interesting that the electric assist is on the column. I now have two
cars which have the electric assist, a Nissan Leaf and a Honda Civic. And
as the karma of the universe would have it, both my other cars, a 1999
Ford Truck and a 1988 Volvo BOTH developed power steering leaks this year.