Power Steering Noise
 

Since I first got my RX-8 I have noticed a "rubbing" noise when turning the steering wheel at a standstill or when moving extremely slowly. You could only hear it from inside the car. Outside, with the hood up nothing could be heard above the normal engine sounds, which are not all that loud. Not being familiar with an electronic power assist I didn't worry about it.

I had the car in the shop yesterday to get a cassette player installed and asked them if the noise was normal. Apparently not! They have a replacement power assist module on order and will need the car for at least a day to do the repair.

The good news is that it is all covered under warranty (as it should be), including a loaner car for the day. The bad news is that I am not sure I like the idea of getting my steering system torn down and re-built by the well-intentioned but inexperienced local techs.

I'll post the results after the work is done.

This could very well be a problem with the power steering fluid. Next time u get a chance, go to a gas station and buy some fluid for about 5 bucks, and refill the tank with the power steering fluid and your problem should be resolved

The RX-8's power steering is electric, not hydraulic. No fluid needed.

I have noticed that sound with my car too, and I just figured it was a normal noise for the electric steering. It kinda sounds like there is a bearing that's shot or something.

Could you sort of hear it and also feel the grinding/grumbling through the steering wheel?

My steering seems to be working OK, it just sounds bad when you are turning the wheel going really slow or by turning the wheel back and forth while you're stopped.

What you describe is what I am experiencing.

1. There are no noticable problems in steering. The car steers fine at all speeds.

2. The sound only occurs at extremely low speed (very slow crawl) or a dead stop.

3. The sound is not intermittant. It always occurs under the slow or stopped conditions.

4. The sound is like rubbing corderoy or rubber grinding on concrete. It is not particularly loud or alarming and is most noticable in the cabin with the windows closed and AC off.

5. The sound is linked directly to the movement of the steering wheel.

6. Yes, there is a grinding/grumbling feel that goes along with the sound.

7. The sound is not a loud exterior sound that is muffled coming into the cabin. Outside, you can head nothing over the engine, either from the engine compartment or the wheel wells.

8. Like you, I am not familiar with electric power assist steering so I assumed the sound might be normal (like the thump the ABS system makes when you first start rolling).

I was unable to get any details from the dealership. I assume from their quick/definitive response that this is absolutely a flaw and not just my imagination. Particularly since they say it is repairable only by a major part replacement in the steering system.

I don't know the name of the specific part to be replaced (tech manuals are still not available for purchase in VA). I don't know whether the local techs called Mazda and got info about this being a known issue on some cars or whether they simply went through a standard diagnostic tree that ends with "replace the front 1/3rd of the car". I will nail down these details when I get the work done.

Obviously you need to have your car checked by your dealer. I am curious to know what you are told.

The deed is done!

The dealer replace the Electric Steering Rack, which I believe is a combined electric steering assist motor and rack&pinion module. It took them two days to do it.

The car is certainly no worse than it was and is probably better. There is still some small noise when turning at a dead stop but it seems quieter (maybe?). I have not noticed any noise during slow crawl turns. It wasn't that big an issue when I brought it in so I'm certainly fine now.

Handling is the same, which indicates they were able to do the install and re-alignment and return the car to the way it was coming from the factory. That was my main worry.

uh, try not to do that... it's hard on your tyres, and awful for your steering mechanicals.

Actually I only do it as a test to easily reproduce the problem. I noticed the original problem as a steering noise at very slow crawl, like when parallel parking or backing out of a parking space.

Yes, it is tough on the car. The manual even talks about the power steering system protecting itself. If you do to much no/low speed maneuvering it can cut off the power assist for a few minutes. I assume until it cools down.

my steering makes the same rubbing sound at stop or slow speed. dont know whether to get the steering rack replaced or if it's normal.

Actually it is hard to say. I took it to the dealer and simply asked if it was normal (no complaint, just a question). The next thing I know they had ordered a replacement rack. The new rack is quieter but is not noise free. Replacing it mainly reduced the noise I was getting at a slow crawl.

If you are like me and prefer to have the least amount of work done on your car as possible, your best bet would be to see if you can take a brief test drive in a new RX-8 and make your own judgement.

msrecant, I couldn't agree more about minimizing having the dealer work on the car - the LESS they touch it the better in my book.

Reading thru these posts - this sounds superficially like one of those famouse 'secret' recall campaigns. If the customer complains about noise from the steering - replace it... (?) shug (?)

I don't know anything about this electric steering assist - does Mazda (or Ford?) use it on any other models or is it unique to the Rx8? I don't recall it being mentioned in any of their marketing blurbs so am guess it is not unique and used elsewhere but not sure...?

thanks

I was not aware of the concept of an electric power assist until I pre-ordered by RX-8. Still don't know much. I found a bunch of links like this on Yahoo (http://ca.autos.yahoo.com/030820/11/ugrz.html)

thanks, i think im going to leave well enough alone for now. the steering is perfect in every way otherwise.