2020 Defender Talk about the new 2020 Land Rover Defender
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Moaning steering?

Old Feb 6, 2026 | 02:16 AM
  #1  
Vadiable Paradox's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Rock Crawling
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 292
Likes: 138
From: Southwest
Default Moaning steering?

About a month (surprisingly late) after a light mud bath followed by a thorough hand wash my P400's steering developed a sound that I struggle to call anything other than moaning. You know, like the big old rusty metal gate hinges moaning when you open or close it slowly, with all the resonance the gate creates. I'll definitely have it looked at (under warranty), however, since I plan to keep the vehicle for a long time - did someone here face this problem and fix it without a shop visit? I'm sure it's the fine dust (the mud terrain I traversed was as close as it gets to "moon dust" when it was dry) that got into some boots, but which boots? The sound appears as I am turning the steering wheel to both the left and right limits and back to the center at low speed - basically, parking and pulling out.
 
Reply
Old Feb 10, 2026 | 02:01 PM
  #2  
NorCal Defender's Avatar
4wd High
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 9
Likes: 4
From: NorCal
Default

My 2025 just started doing the same thing this weekend. Colder temps but it's been in much colder temps and hasn't done it prior. Anyway, to me it sounds like it's inside the column, I plan to remove the plastic under cover and see if there is a rubber boot running or binding. I assume it's some rubbing in there somewhere. If I can find a fix, I'll report back!

QUOTE=Vadiable Paradox;943953]About a month (surprisingly late) after a light mud bath followed by a thorough hand wash my P400's steering developed a sound that I struggle to call anything other than moaning. You know, like the big old rusty metal gate hinges moaning when you open or close it slowly, with all the resonance the gate creates. I'll definitely have it looked at (under warranty), however, since I plan to keep the vehicle for a long time - did someone here face this problem and fix it without a shop visit? I'm sure it's the fine dust (the mud terrain I traversed was as close as it gets to "moon dust" when it was dry) that got into some boots, but which boots? The sound appears as I am turning the steering wheel to both the left and right limits and back to the center at low speed - basically, parking and pulling out.[/QUOTE]
 
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2026 | 03:47 PM
  #3  
crackhead's Avatar
Three Wheeling
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 70
Likes: 11
Default

High or low pitch?
 
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2026 | 09:35 PM
  #4  
Vadiable Paradox's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Rock Crawling
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 292
Likes: 138
From: Southwest
Default

Originally Posted by crackhead
High or low pitch?
Low. Like I said, very similar to the sound that the hinges of a rusted gate made of pipes would make when you open or close it. Been thinking of it more after I saw your post, there's one more comparison - the old hand pumps like the one on the picture used to make sounds like this. Almost the same sound as a hydraulic power steering would make at the limit, but sure it's not it because on this vehicle it's electric.


 
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2026 | 10:54 AM
  #5  
crackhead's Avatar
Three Wheeling
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 70
Likes: 11
Default

Originally Posted by Vadiable Paradox
Low. Like I said, very similar to the sound that the hinges of a rusted gate made of pipes would make when you open or close it. Been thinking of it more after I saw your post, there's one more comparison - the old hand pumps like the one on the picture used to make sounds like this. Almost the same sound as a hydraulic power steering would make at the limit, but sure it's not it because on this vehicle it's electric.

i think its the dcdc converter. Confirm whether you can hear it when activating front or rear embedded glass heater
 
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2026 | 06:44 AM
  #6  
Brother-Darkness's Avatar
Overlanding
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 16
Likes: 11
Default

My 2025 had this issue pop up in the fall. Once I got it to the dealer they identified the issue and got ahold of the part in about a week. It was some sort of gasket in the steering column.

Went back in once the part arrived and they had me back on the road (moan free) the next day.
 
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2026 | 10:58 PM
  #7  
Vadiable Paradox's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Rock Crawling
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 292
Likes: 138
From: Southwest
Default

Originally Posted by Brother-Darkness
My 2025 had this issue pop up in the fall. Once I got it to the dealer they identified the issue and got ahold of the part in about a week. It was some sort of gasket in the steering column.

Went back in once the part arrived and they had me back on the road (moan free) the next day.
Is the part number listed on the receipt, by chance? I'd be curious to inspect it before giving the car to service.
 
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2026 | 04:58 AM
  #8  
graym's Avatar
Three Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 91
Likes: 34
Default

Originally Posted by Vadiable Paradox
About a month (surprisingly late) after a light mud bath followed by a thorough hand wash my P400's steering developed a sound that I struggle to call anything other than moaning. You know, like the big old rusty metal gate hinges moaning when you open or close it slowly, with all the resonance the gate creates. I'll definitely have it looked at (under warranty), however, since I plan to keep the vehicle for a long time - did someone here face this problem and fix it without a shop visit? I'm sure it's the fine dust (the mud terrain I traversed was as close as it gets to "moon dust" when it was dry) that got into some boots, but which boots? The sound appears as I am turning the steering wheel to both the left and right limits and back to the center at low speed - basically, parking and pulling out.
Yea this comes alive only when its cold....seems something expands a bit an rubs against something....again only when cold outside...I haven't done anything about it...operates fine and rather them not start nosing around on things and it becomes worse
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
graym
2020 Defender
8
Jan 23, 2025 10:14 AM
hrhoward
Discovery I
6
Sep 18, 2017 10:55 AM
Jon Pitts
Discovery I
3
Jan 27, 2015 10:02 AM
treho54
Discovery II
3
Sep 19, 2008 11:29 AM
dodge_mich
Discovery II
6
Feb 24, 2008 09:40 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:37 PM.