C5 rough steering when low

[Wawpeyo]

Hi to all, as the title says, when suspension in lower settings turning the steering to the left makes a creaking noise, can't say if its like air in the steering as when raise to the maximum settings with a couple of turns the creaking goes. Seems to not be the hubs as had the steering disconnected while changing the lower hub bushes and still will do the noise.
Any ideas? It failed the MOT on it so pretty much f
Lds level just fine but car isn't mine so can't be sure 100% that what is there is lds, it's a bit white so either air on it or contaminated
Thanks!

[wurlycorner]

When you say “in lower settings”, do you mean low? Or do you mean it makes the sound in normal height as well?

[Wawpeyo]

Hi. Any other that the maximum height it makes noise

[PaulC5]

What year is the C5 ? The ones from 2007 on suffer with steering rack oil leaks due to corrosion of the input shaft so if one of these something to check.

[Wawpeyo]

Yes after, 2008 plate, but no leaks anywhere that I can see

[wurlycorner]

Hi. Any other that the maximum height it makes noise

If it's anywhere other than at maximum height, then I believe that rules out anything to do with the column and rack itself - they just aren't affected by suspension height. Also - assuming LDS level is correct/not low - I think it also rules out the power steering pump, for the same reason.

That to me points to being an issue with a suspension/steering joint, perhaps the outer CV joints?

[Wawpeyo]

Well the fact is it does the noise even with the wheels disconnected, so it's the rack but obviously something to do with the fluid. Which level can be seen on the grid of the tank, so I assume ok

[wurlycorner]

Sorry I’ve just re-read your original post - I’d missed that it still made the noise with the steering rack disconnected from the hubs.
Then the only link I can think of to suspension height, is the remaining fluid level in the LDS tank. But at max height that would be as low as possible and could only cause potential starvation to the pump - which you would expect to *cause* a noise, rather than cure one???