Rack - sloshing noise, normal?

[Rob669]

With the engine off, lying underneath if I move the wheels from side to side there is lot of sloshing noise in the steering rack. Is that normal, I thought the valves inside the rack would stop the fluid sloshing about?

 

[bloke]

can just be the fluid moving, i've had a few that sound awful when you move them from a road wheel but are fine when pump is running. also have found you can also create slop/play if you move a wheel sided t side quickly, think it just cavitates the fluid or 'pushes it back'?

 

[Rob669]

Cheers for that, I'm trying to narrow down the cause of the poor handling. All bushes are new, plus tie rods and joints etc hence I suspect the rack's past its best. The column has some play so I thought I'd change them both.

 

[bloke]

yet to find one that has needed a rack itself changing unless it's accident damaged. play in column will make it feel awful though.

 

[Rob669]

Top stuff, buddy. No accident damage so I'll change the column and see then how it feels. The engine is coming out as it's having another 'box on it, plus belts need doing and a few other jobs that justify an engine lift out.

 

[bloke]

do the column while engine is out then, makes it a lot easier.

 

[Rob669]

Good stuff.