Yesterday when rounding a slow bend I slid wide and bumped the curve with the front wheel at an angle. Didn't notice any immediate ill effects, but today I noticed when turning the steering wheel in the snow the power steering judders quite noticeably.

On normal wet or dry tarmac it seems totally normal, and today did a fair few high speed motorway miles at 70 (or so ) mph and all normal.

However when got near home and manoeuvring in a snowy car park again the judder.

Is this normal? Just read another post about bent wishbones and paranoid now!

The steering wheel is perfectly straight when going straight ahead.

I also don't know why i'm typing in one line paragraphs - could that be caused by the bump too?

Jon

are you sure it isn't just the wheels slipping on the snow giving the suggestion of steering judder

Definitely get the suspension checked over. Doesn't take much to bend a damper/wishbone/TRE

usually the judder happens when you turn the steering whilst stationery on snow, or extremerly slow speeds.. but as Mogg said its worth checking it out as its a matter of safety.. don't want anything suddenly failing, especially when traveling at speeds and in this weather :(

Cheers folks, am having an mot next week so will get it checked out.

Is it possible that it's due to the build up of ice in the wheel arches? When you drive through loose snow it can get packed into the wheel arches - this would then cause a judder as the wheel rubbed on it as you turned. It normally falls off once you stop (the ice, not the wheel!).

just to put your mind at rest, i had the judder through the steering this morning, i was parking on snow using the lock, so normal

If you only get it when turning the wheels with the car stationery (you should never do this, btw - it places massive strain on the power steering), the judders are just the snow trapped under the wheel fracturing and shearing as the wheel direction changes.

Glad I found this thread - when I was stationary and turning the wheel to/from full lock in the snow last week, mine also made some pretty bad sounds and judders. Has been fine before and after. Thought it must be snow related.