Grand C4 Picasso 2015 creaking noise from steering only when outside temperature is really hot

[Mathemagic-1970]

Hi all,

Apologies if this is a duplicate - had a problem when the site kept timing out.

I had this problem last year during the hot spells and had a hint of it again today.

When the outside temperature gets very hot - e.g. today where the dashboard was showing something like 30 degrees when I got in - I have a creaking noise when I turn the steering wheel. All through the winter, no noises at all. Last year at the end of July when we had the really hot spell, same again but even hotter so the noise was there even with the tiny corrections you make when driving along.

It sort of sounds like it is in the steering column when driving but that could be a red herring.

When driving I don't notice anything wrong in the steering performance, but the steering is light on these cars anyway so, perhaps, things wouldn't show up.

Any suggestions are very welcome.

Thank you

Tony

[Gibbo2286]

Going way back to the days of Hillman cars they had a problem with the steering seizing up on very hot days, the tolerances on the top steering column bush had been made too tight and the heat expansion caused them to lock up onto the shaft.

[Mathemagic-1970]

Hillman cars - that takes me back! First car I ever drove was a Hillman Avenger - albeit when about 10 years old with my uncle in the passenger seat off road somewhere.

Very tricky to work out if the noise is inside or outside the cabin. I may try an old trick I once saw - a piece of tube pressed into one ear and move the other end to different parts to see if there is an obvious loud spot somewhere along the column.

I think it is going to be one of those annoying things to try and find. My local garage are great but unless it is noticeable on a day where they can hear it, it would be pointless booking it in.

[DISC]

Same problem with my 2017 reg.
Garage have crawled over it twice checking for anything which might be worn or unsafe and they can’t find a thing! Eventually told it’s probably a dry bush.
Did you find a fix for this??

[Richard_C]

Mine was like that, had it over 8 years. Never got any better, never got any worse. Unless it really bothers you, maybe just live with it?