Tech: Minute Mod
Full-Lock Steering Grind
The Mitsubishi SUV has a recirculating ball-type steering, which
usually provides years of maintenance-free operation. One gripe many people have as
the vehicle gets older, however, is a loud scraping noise which emanates from the
front-end when the wheel is fully turned to one side or the other. This sound is
very loud, quite disconcerting, but very easy to eliminate.
The culprit is the steering stop, which comes from the factory with a rubber cap over the
metal protrusion. When the wheel is turned all the way, this rubber
"bumper" absorbs the friction. As the vehicle ages this rubber bumper
wears away, leaving the metal underneath exposed. The end result is metal-to-metal
contact at full rotation, which announces itself as a loud scrape or grinding noise.
This problem is easily eliminated with the liberal application of
heavy grease (wheel bearing or axle grease is good). Rub the grease on both steering stops
with your finger, and simply drive away (It will look like a beat up yellowish rubber cap
over a castellated nut).
Including this spot in your chassis lube regimen is a good way to keep this noise from
popping up again.
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