[luko]

Hi there, I recently changed the power steering coupling on my 2011 i30cw CRDI SX wagon. The clunking stopped and it works perfectly. It sounds like it's coming from the electric motor, and it sounds louder when I turn the wheel fast. The sound is unnoticeable on normal driving. You can only here it when you turn the wheel fast and it's almost a clicking whir sound. Could I have done the motor bolts up too tightly? It sounds to me like it's coming from the motor and maybe the bearing of the motor is stressed due to new coupling and/or me doing it too tight. When I first got the car it had this sound but wasn't as noticeable; you really had to turn the wheel fast to hear it. Any ideas?

I had a good look on the forum and this is the only topic that sounds like it, with no solution. slight whir in steering column base?

[sundiz]

How bad was the coupler? Seen some pics where it has transformed into rubber dust.

Were you able to clean it well before installing new? Just wondering if there was some rubber parts/dust that could cause alingment issue with the motor and the counter part.

[luko]

It was pretty bad. I noticed the motor was done up super tight so put it back in that way. I saw on one online video that it said to torque the motor bolts. The sound is definitely coming from the motor and wasn't prior to changing the coupling. Makes no sound if you move it slowly, only when you turn the wheel fast. I actually remember it did this a little bit when I first got the car second hand, but it stopped shortly after. I'm guessing this is because the coupling was starting to die. I'm going to pull it apart again and check for rubber I may have missed and maybe put the motor back with less torque on the bolts. It was really hard to put back in and it felt like the coupling was too thick. There has to be something I did wrong. 

[sundiz]

When I disassembled the power steering column I first thought that the motor was busted. It made clunk noises after I had removed it from the column. When I looked it bit more I noticed that the motor made contact to the metal housing. It seems that the motor is connected from the rear to the housing and is able to move. The "teeths" that go in to the coupler center the motor so that it should not make contact to the housing. If the motor housing is not lined straight to the column there might be a risk that the motor makes some contact. But I would assume in that case there would be sound even when turning slowly. I have no torque specs on those bolts, but I believe they need to be tight not to allow any movement for the motor.

Looks like it had chewed your coupler completely.

[The Gonz]

After reading this thread I've been listening for whirring from Firty's steering assist. Not a sound.

[luko]

Now my ESP/TCS light came on solid (not blinking). Could this be related?

[sundiz]

Better read code(s) while it/they are active.