Help - Steering Rattle

[lesley]

Today I have developed a strange rattle coming from just behind the steering wheel which is only apparent at full throttle, it generally starts when im coming on boost in 3rd gear and continues in the other gears also when on boost. There is no vibration in the steering, just the rattle, its as if something is really loose?

If I turn the steering full lock clockwise for the last 5th of a turn there is a bit of resistance in the steering, but if I do it anticlockwise there doesnt seem to be any resistance. Im getting worried that it could be the steering rack, altho the rattle is definately coming from the behind the steering wheel and I would like to think on 4 year old car with less than 40k miles the rack wouldnt be gone already?

Anyone any suggestions as to what it could be?

[st3ph3n]

Some STIs have had steering rack issues. Take it down the dealer and have a shout.

[GaryD]

Cheers stephen, whats the better dealer to go to, Halleys or S&S or is it much a muchness?

[GaryD]

Ressurecting a old topic....

This is still a ongoing problem. Ive had all the steering components checked over on the car and everything is ok. Stripped off the cowling inside the car which is over the steering column and nothing in there is loose or missing.

Ive narrowed the fault down to it being inside the actual steering wheel. Also noticed that the noise happens when the car is moving and is the wheel is a 1/4 turn clockwise, but it doesnt do it when the wheel is anticlockwise.

Are there any known faults with the drivers steering wheels or airbag on the Sti 7? Also does anyone know how to disarm the airbag so that I can open the steering wheel up and see if everything is okay inside?

Cheers folks...

[fai17]

Just keep the ignition off when opening the steering wheel or dissconnect the battery.

Could the rattle come from the steering knuckle hitting the down pipe as i had that problem because the snakehead was too big or it could be caused by the engines mount being goosed as that happned to Cyp_rock.

Go and check them first.

[scoobyfuzzy]

yeah i was gonna say the same thing, certain downpipes can cause a knocking noise with the knuckle hitting it

fuzzy

[GaryD]

Cheers guys, when we had the car up on the ramp I checked all the steering and nothing was hitting anywhere.

Its not really a metal rattle either, its much more of a plasticy rattle. Basically as if there is something loose inside the steering wheel itself.

So as long as the ignition is not turned on I should be able to pop the airbag cover off the wheel?

Cheers

[fai17]

So as long as the ignition is not turned on I should be able to pop the airbag cover off the wheel?

Cheers

Yes..there are 2 screws on the back of the steering wheel that holds the airbag in..hop that helps.

[diffbuster]

If the newage is the same as classic the airbag ecu is in the centre consul below the stereo remove the two yellow tabs to disable.