Knocking coming from steering rack end?

[Graeme - CZ]

Hi all,

I've finally isolated a random knock I've been hearing, especially when going slowly over a speed bump. Appears to be coming from the end of the steering rack (I've already replaced the ball joints and tie rod ends).

I'm currently compiling a parts list, so welcome any tips additions for my list. Hoping I don't have to replace the steering rack itself. Has anyone had to deal with this issue before? I'm wondering if simply replacing the inner tie rod ends may fix the problem?

Thanks as always, Graeme

 

[Alphabettispaghetti]

is there play? have you checked the rack bushings first?

 

[Graeme - CZ]

is there play? have you checked the rack bushings first?

Yes. If I rock the wheels left and right, I can feel it. Also, having a friend (Stuart) do it, I could feel the knock at the inner tie rod end. Don’t have any play with my steering wheel though really.

You mean the bushes on the steering column? They seemed ok.


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[Graeme - CZ]

I should add. It's been in a garage twice about this knock, and garages could not isolate the noise.

 

[jonbills]

Have you checked adjustment on the wheel bearing?

 

[Wally]

Could be the rack end bushing? On the one I've just pulled apart the non-pinion side had little to no wear but the pinion side had nearly a mm of wear.


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[Graeme - CZ]

Have you checked adjustment on the wheel bearing?

It's has newly fitted wheel bearings

 

[Graeme - CZ]

Could be the rack end bushing? On the one I've just pulled apart the non-pinion side had little to no wear but the pinion side had nearly a mm of wear.


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Not sure what you mean by the rack end bushing? Do you mean the ones which hold the rack to the subframe?

 

[Graeme - CZ]

I should add. It's a LHD car and the noise appears to be more coming from the front right area.

 

[Wally]

There are bronze/brass bushes which sit at the ends of the casing which the rack slides within.

Located in here

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[Graeme - CZ]

There are bronze/brass bushes which sit at the ends of the casing which the rack slides within.

Located in here

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Ah ok, I see what you mean. You can buy those?


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[Wally]

Ah ok, I see what you mean. You can buy those?


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I couldn't find oem ones but you can order bushings that are the same size. I'm just waiting for mine to come.

 

[jonbills]

if the track rod has play, I think you'd notice wandering steering - does it steer normally?

 

[Graeme - CZ]

I couldn't find oem ones but you can order bushings that are the same size. I'm just waiting for mine to come.

Would you mind sharing what precisely you ordered and from where?


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[Graeme - CZ]

if the track rod has play, I think you'd notice wandering steering - does it steer normally?

Steering feels ok, but I do have this knock - which I can also feel through the steering wheel when it happens.


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[Wally]

Would you mind sharing what precisely you ordered and from where?


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I'm not sure what I've ordered will be much help to you as mine is a 260z rack. I litteraly grabbed a caliper out and measured it.


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[Graeme - CZ]

In terms of my knocking sounds, I'm wondering if anyone has experience of this. I believe the issue to be either 1) the inner tie rods or 2) the steering rack itself. I could very well end up replacing the inner tie rods, only to discover it's not fixed the issue. I then need to buy a whole steering rack, which will come with the inner tie rods. Is steering rack replacement on a Z quite common place? I've got a note on a garage receipt dating back to 2015 (when it was in America), referencing an issue with the steering rack. Not sure what to do.

 

[Wally]

In terms of my knocking sounds, I'm wondering if anyone has experience of this. I believe the issue to be either 1) the inner tie rods or 2) the steering rack itself. I could very well end up replacing the inner tie rods, only to discover it's not fixed the issue. I then need to buy a whole steering rack, which will come with the inner tie rods. Is steering rack replacement on a Z quite common place? I've got a note on a garage receipt dating back to 2015 (when it was in America), referencing an issue with the steering rack. Not sure what to do.

If yours is LHD I've got a spare steering rack plus tie rods kicking around if it comes to it.

 

[Graeme - CZ]

If yours is LHD I've got a spare steering rack plus tie rods kicking around if it comes to it.

Yes, it's LHD. Oh, that could come in very handy.

 

[Wally]

Yes, it's LHD. Oh, that could come in very handy.

Just let me know if you require it.


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