1/27/26, 9:48 AM TOPIx - SSM000020 - Rattle Type Noise from Lower Steering Column Area When Steering Wheel Rotated
Reference SSM000020
Models New Range Rover / L460 2022 + Onwards
New Range Rover Sport / L461 2023 — Onwards
Title Rattle Type Noise from Lower Steering Column Area When Steering Wheel Rotated
Category Noise / Vibration
Last modified 09-Jan-2026 13:02:00
Attachments Steering Column Flexible Coupling Questionnaire.pdf (Steering Column Flexible Coupling Questionnaire.pdf)
Content SSM:000020
Markets: MENA, UK, USA
Title: Rattle Type Noise from Lower Steering Column Area When Steering Wheel Rotated
Model / Model Year / Derivative
Range Rover Sport / 23MY onwards / All
Range Rover / 22MY onwards / All
Situation:
JLR Engineering investigations have identified a rattle type noise from the steering column area, when driving over an uneven road
surface and the steering wheel rotated as follows:
Left Hand Drive vehicles — rotated 10 degrees to the right from centre position
Right Hand Drive vehicles — rotated 25 degrees to the left from centre position
Cause:
Currently under analysis.
https://topix.jIrext.com/topix/content/documentiview?id= 1804721 &groupid=1595 112

1/27/26, 9:48 AM TOPIx - SSM000020 - Rattle Type Noise from Lower Steering Column Area When Steering Wheel Rotated
Action:
Refer to the service information below.
Service Instruction:
If a rattle type sound can be heard from the area around the lower steering column when the vehicle is driven over an uneven road
surface, complete the following steps:
1. Check the steering column flexible coupling fixings are torqued to the correct value listed in the TOPIx Workshop Manual (WSM)
211-04 Steering Column and Steering Wheel and road test the vehicle to see if the concern is rectified, if rectified no further action
required.
2. If the rattle type sound is still present during road test make an audio/ video recording when the noise is present, showing the vehicle
speed, steering wheel angle and road surface.
3. Replace the steering column flexible coupling. If the replacement component has not rectified the concern, continue with diagnosis
as guided using TOPIx Cloud and with reference to the TOPIx WSM.
4. Complete the attached questionnaire and submit an Electronic Product Quality Report (EPQR) detailing the repair carried out to
rectify the concern with the audio/ video file attached.
(Ref 000400917 / 6424)
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SSM000020
Steering Column Flexible Coupling Noisy Questionnaire v1

January 2026

Complete this questionnaire when a customer reports noises during steering operations, which leads to a steering

column flexible coupling replacement.

In addition to completing this questionnaire, please provide supporting evidence (image(s), sound file(s) and video(s)),

as they would significantly enhance your response.

1) Have you (the technician) been able to identify or replicate the noise?

oO Yes, audible without the need of any audible device

oO Yes, audible with the need of any audible device (versatile electronic listening tool)

oO»

If No, explain why the steering gear was replaced.

2) Test Drive Observations

During which steering manoeuvres does the noise occur?

oO when parking

oO when cornering / turning

oO when driving straight ahead

oO other (specify below)

Does the noise only occur at certain steering angles? Specify below.

Is there any haptic responses / vibrations in the vehicle or steering wheel when the noise occurs?

oO Yes

Ew

During which steering manoeuvres does the noise occur?

oO at a standstill

oO <5 kph or 3 mph (For example, while parking or turning)

oO between 10 - 30 kph (6 - 18 mph)

Oo between 31 — 50 kph (19 - 31 mph)

oO other (describe in the box below)

On which type of surface does the noise occur?

oO on tarmac / asphalt

oO on gravel roads (smooth gravel)

oO off road (dirt or heavy gravel/ stones)

oO winter / icy roads

oO other (specify below)

Is the road surface smooth, uneven, paved or otherwise? What type of road inputs are needed to generate the noise
(for example, is the noise occurring on bumps, potholes)?

What were the weather conditions when the noise occurred? (For example, dry, wet, cold, warm) Please include the
air temperature.

Does the noise change depending on the climatic conditions?

oO yes, specify below

O

3) Noise Frequency and Duration

How often does the noise occur? (For example, every time you drive, occasionally, rarely)
How long does the noise last when it occurs? (For example, 1 second, 5 seconds)

Are there any other symptoms or abnormalities that occur together with the noise?

oO Yes, specify below

OO

Type of Noise
oO BUZZING - high frequent continuous noise sounding like a wasp or bee.
oO CLICKING - Light, high-frequency tapping.
oO CLUNKING/KNOCKING - Heavy thump or bump sound without reverberation that can often sound a little muted.
oO CRACKLING/CREAKING - Repeated, sharp, snapping sound.
oO GRINDING/SCRATCHING - dry, rough sound, like rusty bearing, metal to metal scraping sound
oO HOWLING - high frequent noise, reproducible during steering operation
oO SQUEAKING - high frequent disturbing noise with short random appearance
oO POPPING — Sharp, explosive sounds can be described as popping and usually aren’t as loud as banging.
oO RATTLING — The same sound as marbles rolling around in an empty can be described as rattling.
oO RUMBLING - Almost a roar but sounds like it’s far away.
oO ZIPPER NOISE — low frequent humming noise at steering operation
oO OTHER (specify below)
How loud is the noise on a scale from 1 (very quiet) to 10 (very loud)?
4) Workshop and Diagnosis Observations
Provide the tire information for the front axle:
LH RH
oo [| [|
"ews [| [|
Is the noise reproducible on the lift?
oO Yes, with wheels off the ground
oO Yes, with wheels on the ground
Ow
Are there visible signs of wear or damage to related steering components?
Check for signs of water ingress via bellows, harness, connector pins etc. Check for damage (cuts, punctures and tears) on the
steering gear, bellows, inner and outer ball joints. Check for missing bellow clips.
oO Yes, specify below

O
Are there any visible signs of wear or damage to other components?
Check for any signs of damages to the tires and rims. Check for any damage/play/abnormalities on the suspension components,
heat shields, exhaust system, steering column, i-shaft and steering bulkhead seals. Provide photos of the damage in the ePQR.
oO Yes, specify below
O
Are there any other symptoms or abnormalites that occur together with the customer reported noise?
oO Yes, specify below
Ow
Is the PSCM Software to the latest version?
oO Yes
oO No, specify the PSCM software version
SSM000020
Thank you for completing this questionnaire, can you scan and attach your vi
document, plus supporting image(s), sound file(s) and video(s) to an ePQR January 2026