Knocking coming from steering rack end?

[moggy240]

Are the steering rack bushes in good condition and no movement when turning

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Hi Graeme, I'm late to this but think your knocking could be the part you posted at the start of the thread. I've experienced that on my old car.

 

[Farmer42]

You can normally feel play in the rack ends by lifting the front off the deck, getting underneath and trying to move them by hand. You will feel the clunk if they move when the wheels stay still.

Before you go to the hassle & expense of replacing inner & outer track rods, check the condition of your ARB bushes and also as Moggy240 said, your rack mounting bushes. If they are rubber, they are prone to perishing and knocking especially on bumps. They are relatively inexpensive in comparison, easier to fit and are available from RockAuto.

 

[Graeme - CZ]

Just let me know if you require it.


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Thanks Joe. Will message you.

 

[Graeme - CZ]

Hi all - thanks for the tips. Much appreciated as always. Will try and get a proper look under the car at the weekend to check out the rack in more detail.

So far I am thinking:

- replace the inner track rods (I've already replaced the outer rods)
- replace the rack bushes (these look perished from what I can see in the picture)
- replace the bellows whilst I am at it
- replace steering coupling bush (which I have anyway, just not fitted it yet - though I don't think this the source of my issue)
- examine the brass / bronze bush on the rack that Wally referred to

If problem still persists, then it's consider a replacement rack. Though I suspect the issue is related to above as I don't seem to have steering play.

Any further thoughts on above?

Cheers, Graeme

 

[Farmer42]

Is there noise when you turn the steering wheel from side to side or is it just when you go over bumps? If the rack was worn you would not get corresponding wheel movement when you turn the steering wheel. You would be hard pushed getting another rack especially a RHD so if there is still noise when you go over a bump when you have done all the above, I would strongly recommend that you check/replace your anti roll bar bushes and possibly the drop links before thinking about a replacement rack.

 

[Graeme - CZ]

There is no noise when i turn the steering wheel. It’s just when i go over bumps. It’s a LHD, so steering racks seem to be available and have found an old one i could perhaps repurpose if need be. Anti roll bar is new, along with all the bushes. I’ve also replaced all the bushes on the front suspension etc - last job is to switch to BC’s.


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[Graeme - CZ]

Hi Graeme, I'm late to this but think your knocking could be the part you posted at the start of the thread. I've experienced that on my old car.

The inner rod ends you mean Rob?

 

[Rob Gaskin]

The inner rod ends you mean Rob?

Yes.

 

[Alphabettispaghetti]

Have you used the fsm and set the ‘preload’ o the inner joints?

 

[Graeme - CZ]

Have you used the fsm and set the ‘preload’ o the inner joints?

Hi. Not entirely sure what any of that means. And no, not done any of that. G


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[Alphabettispaghetti]

Hi. Not entirely sure what any of that means. And no, not done any of that. G


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if you look in the service manual, you set the rack back to factory settings. you can set pre-load on the track rod ends.

 

[MaximG]

if you look in the service manual, you set the rack back to factory settings. you can set pre-load on the track rod ends.

I’m going to take a wild stab in the dark and say I’m not sure Graeme has even taken the wrack out the car, let alone start to dismantle it. As for looking in the service manual not everyone has one

 

[Graeme - CZ]

I’m going to take a wild stab in the dark and say I’m not sure Graeme has even taken the wrack out the car, let alone start to dismantle it. As for looking in the service manual not everyone has one

Oh, you’ve just reminded me to go fish out the manual from my car. AND yes, I don’t have the rack out of the car yet.


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[Alphabettispaghetti]

Oh, you’ve just reminded me to go fish out the manual from my car. AND yes, I don’t have the rack out of the car yet.


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you can do most of the bits with it in the car, i'd be looking at the rack bushings also.