Strange sound in steering wheel

[osx_mr.p]

Can you hear the same noise when turning the steering wheel with the engine off?

[evlweevil]

The noise could be coming from the boot on the steering shaft were it goes threw the firewall, sometimes goes away if you can lube the area between the shaft and the boot. also sometimes it could be the clock spring. The noise could be coming from the front suspension (strutt tops). The only way to tell is to have dealer tech thats good with noises to ride with you so you can pinpoint the noise. Or you could try it yourself by getting a mechanics stethescope and listen for it.

[johncastle]

Well, finally I went to the dealer and had it checked out. They said its the Steering Rack, not in stock so I have to bring it back when the part arrives. I noticed this morning that there is no sound when I first start the engine, but as it got warm the noise was more noticeable, I also turned the steering wheel with the engine off and the key in "on" so the SW wouldn't lock, and there didnt seem to be any sound either. Anyways, I hope it really is the Steering Rack, its on warranty so I dont care. Will post when the part arrives.

[SuzukiDon]

As noted by John 90% of the "steering wheel noise" complaints we have received is solved by replacing the steering gear/rack-n-pinion.

We are also starting to see more and more XL7's with bulging or cracked dashes above the passenger side airbag.

Both are only covered under the 3yr/36k NOT the powertrain.

[johnhampt]

I have the same sound in my steering wheel as well. Does not do it on start up but does after warming up. I describe it as sounding like this: The sound that a remote controlled vehicle makes when it steers right or left.

[tiraggi]

I too have the bulging / crack over the passenger airbag. This will be covered under the warranty? Its a 2007 XL7 31000 miles.

[jeffmi]

I too am having the same issue with my wifes 07 XL7, it currently has 62k on it and this just started. I took the car to the dealer where they quickly identified it as the rack, which is not covered by the power train warranty. A new rack cost 550.00 which I ordered, however its been on backorder for the last month!!

Currently its like driving a go kart, as the steering wheel does not straighten out by itself. It seems that there are quite a few ppl having this problem from searching the web along with consumer complaints to the nhtsa which you can read online.

My two biggest questions are why is this happening and no one doing anything and two...when is a dealer going to be able to obtain the parts needed to repair. Its bad enough that this is going to cost me $900.00 between parts and labor.

[Kenpachi]

I have the same issue (2007 XL7).

I asked the dealer to fix it when I took it in for its last oil change. Their official response was that is it was a common issue and Suzuki has no fix for it at this time.

Sounds like they have no intention of fixing it. So much for a warranty. Apparently it isn't a defect if it happens to more than one person.

Please post if anyone is successful getting this fixed. This is one of several issues I have that the dealer refuses to address under warranty.

[jeffmi]

No the noise does not occur when the key is simply on. You mostly hear the noise when driving at slow speed and turning.

From reading other post, replacing the steering rack does resolve the issue. If you take a look at the NHTSB website you will see that someone has already complained.

From speaking with my dealer, they have other XL7's in the shop with the same issue. My service rep stated that they know of over thirty five Xl7's with this issue just within the state of MA. The biggest problem is the fact that they can not obtain the parts. There are dealers out there with racks, however they will not sell them to the dealers they need them for out of warranty repairs like myself.

I am honestly done with Suzuki, which is sad since we own two. I have had numerous issues with my 05 Verona as well. It seems that every time something goes wrong with either car, I always hear well that's not under the power train warranty.

Like I said before, you get what you pay for. I have friends that have 07 Santa Fe's that never have issues. Not too mention that the Hyundai owner site gives you everything you would ever need to fix issues yourself, TSB's, tech manuals, etc. Suzuki just finally made it so you could make a car payment online, they are well behind the times as well as extremely frustrating to deal with.

They will only deal with the rack issue, after a few people are killed for loss of steering.

[zstalker]

Originally Posted by jeffmi

I am honestly done with Suzuki, which is sad since we own two. I have had numerous issues with my 05 Verona as well.

Whoa whoa whoa...let's not judge Suzuki by the two "Suzukis" that you own. The XL7 is a GM vehicle and shows it...its build quality is poor and the whole vehicle is overly complex to a fault. Then the Verona...jeez, don't get me started...the Verona is an abortion of a car built by Daewoo, NOT Suzuki. Once Suzuki saw how many problems this car has and will continue to have (many and significant) and GMDAT wouldn't be updating it to help, they cancelled their order after just 3 years of sale in the US.
Really, any Suzuki with a "J" at the beginning of the VIN (stating built in Japan) is a cheap, but great little car. If not for the GMDAT cars (VIN "K" for Korea) and the XL7 (VIN "2" for Canada) we'd be sitting around like Maytag repairmen. I know already owning two bad "Suzukis" will sour you to the brand, I really recommend you go drive a Grand Vitara or a Kizashi when they hit dealerships...you'll be pleasantly suprized.

Originally Posted by jeffmi

They will only deal with the rack issue, after a few people are killed for loss of steering.

a groaning noise in the steering rack (likely a seal squeaking or some such thing) is not really likely to lead to deaths, but manufacturers like to fix rashes of problems to satisfy customers...I'm sorry yours seems to have happened outside the comprehensive warranty and at a bad time, what with backorder issues; GM parts suppliers aren't exactly in good shape right now.
~Erik~