Something's "groaning" When Turning Right?

[SS8_Gohan]

Umm... don't even really know if this is the right section, but...

car is R34, 98, coupe

no suspension mods, standard height, just some different 17" rims, 235 front, 255 rear.

I've noticed that when i turn right, mainly slowly, eg. a roundabout, or an off camber right turn, one where it loads up on the left side a bit... something is "groaning" up the front, passenger side? Don't really know if that's the right word, but yeah, it's a rather disconcerting noise...

Some high speed turns i can get it to groan, it seems more dependant on how much it's loaded on the left side or left front?

noticed also on the skid pan day i was at, when i was trying to "drift" very unsuccessfully

The other thing i noticed about that day is that when on full lock, the steering would get kinda "stuck" when i was trying to turn back the other way? So i would be hard full lock one way, then correct and go back the other, but for the first bit it felt like it was "stuck" and i couldn't just smoothly turn back, i'd have to get it to "pop" out of it's stuck position before it's back to normal...

not sure if these are common things, or ever related at all.

Car was RWC'd last year, march, and got new bushes because the old ones were stuffed/cracked. That would be about the only thing replaced suspension wise.

cheers,

daniel

[SS8_Gohan]

hehe, i should ask a question

does anyone have an idea what the problem might be?

[Simon-S14]

when was the last time you had a wheel alignment? This might explain some of the lack of self centering.

as for the noise, i would say it might be a powersteering issue? I doubt it would be a balljoint or anything as they would clunk/make a sudden noise. Powersteering systems can groan when turning from lock to lock if there is a problem with it...

otherwise it may be a wheel bearing?

hard to tell without looking at it really

[HackerX]

No expert, but my R31 groans turning right, and I was told it was the ball joint.

Powersteer tends to be only at full lock.

My guesses would be:

1st Ball joint

2nd Bushes

Take it for a suspension check and they should find out what it is

[33_skyline]

Had this problem just last week so took it to Fulcrum for a free suspension check

They said it was mainly the power steering on full lock, but other noises are just the bushes etc getting tired and showing a little movement.

and on the 33 (not sure about other models) instead of an upper ball joint it is a bearing and they also get a bit of movement after a while.

The main thing is though they said it wasn't anthing major that needed imidiate repair.

but don't take my word for it,

if there is a fulcrum suspension near you go in for a free suspension check only takes about an hour, why not take advantage off this free service

[SS8_Gohan]

don't know if we have fulcrum in melbourne? will check.

I think i know the sound of the power steering whirring, i think... and i'm 99% it's not that.

got new bushes with my RWC 12 months ago, maybe they've already given up?

wheel aligntment and balance about 10 months ago.

it's not really self centering that's the issue, it pretty much gets "stuck" sometimes on full lock. a bit hard to explain.

will ring around and see if anyone can do a free check.

anything else it could potentially be besides the ball joint, bearings or bushes?

[siba33]

hey man iv got a similar prob except myns on both sides and does it with the slightest of steering wheel movement, almost sounds like somethngs come loose and is going places it shouldnt! gettn it checed out real soon

[Mark84]

seems like it could be a wheel bearing as when you load up left side it puts a lot of pressure on the bearing and that is when you say you are hearing it just a thought.. my bearings are stuffed but just cause they must be pitted as they make horrible noise at around 80 k

Cheers Mark

[SS8_Gohan]

looks like could be wheel bearing issues..

is this like quite dangerous? or expensive?