Technical Groaning/grinding/knocking noise when turning steering

[crazypierre]

Hi,
I'm trying to diagnose what this might be. It's on my 2001 Seicento Schumacher with 39K miles.

When I turn the steering at low speeds, (like when parking) I've noticed this noise that is getting progressively worse.
It's a groaning/grinding noise. I also notice that as I drive out of the drive onto the road where the curb is lowered, I hear like a knocking/groaning.

A bit of online research makes me lean towards it being a worn bearing in the front strut top mount? What do you guys think? In 30 years of driving older cars, I've never come across this part wearing before....is there even a bearing in the top mount?

If it does need replacing, what sort of labour time do you think a garage would charge? Is it an hour or two for somebody with the right spring compressors/tools?

Thanks for any advice.

Pete

 

[varesecrazy]

Hi Pete.

I suspect you are correct.

The bearings tend to be DRY..

So can gather surface rust easily.. leading to the symptoms to have.

Charlie

 

[crazypierre]

Hi, thanks. Any idea how long it may take a garage to replace them?
Pete

 

[varesecrazy]

Hi, thanks. Any idea how long it may take a garage to replace them?
Pete

Look at my GUIDE in the panda section.

TBH.. if you are getting it stripped out by a garage.. you may want to renew the struts too..

Charlie

 

[ZhackZhirack]

Hi, thanks. Any idea how long it may take a garage to replace them?
Pete

An hour should be more than enough.

 

[varesecrazy]

An hour should be more than enough.

Thats what I quoted in the other 'bad bearing' thread