Steering rack bushes worn?

[ciaran1380]

Hi, I have a 2005 182 full fat, when I hit a speed bump, accelerate , decelerate , turn the wheel I get a kind of cracking noise.

I've done engine mounts and new top mounts.

All I'm left with is arb and steering rack bushes. I'm thinking the rack bushes could be on the way out?

 

[Darren S]

I wouldn't have thought a steering rack would make cracking noises on acceleration or braking though? I know the heat shield on my rack was catching and making a noise - it still does slightly now tbh. Either that, or my rack is on the way out!

 

[ciaran1380]

Yea I was thinking that too but it's the only thing left I can think of? Just wondering if anybody had similar experience? It mostly happens when turning.

 

[Carlv8415]

Wishbone bushings or ball joints ?

 

[LeeRS]

Mine clunks aswell. Have been under the car and checked everything obvious. tightened bolts, still clunks.

 

[ciaran1380]

Ball joint done on drivers side, no obvious play either.

Is this just something they do ? It's definatley not right ? It's doing my head in!

 

[ciaran1380]

Mine clunks aswell. Have been under the car and checked everything obvious. tightened bolts, still clunks.

I don't like the noise it's making, I suppose ill have to get under and check, I don't want to have a failure of the steering !

 

[sburrell93]

My 172 used to click and clunk a bit when steering back when I got it, took it to my local alignment place, guy had it up on the ramps, nipped up any nuts and bolts he checked. Stopped the clicking, clunking was still there. Turned out that was an incorrectly seated spring. I thought that was my rack bushes until I had the wheels off and saw the spring sitting half off the spring platform!

If the rack bushes are worn you'll be able to see the rack moving. I'm sure you can look down the back of the engine and see it. Get someone to move the steering back and forth and if there's any movement there's your problem.

 

[ciaran1380]

T

My 172 used to click and clunk a bit when steering back when I got it, took it to my local alignment place, guy had it up on the ramps, nipped up any nuts and bolts he checked. Stopped the clicking, clunking was still there. Turned out that was an incorrectly seated spring. I thought that was my rack bushes until I had the wheels off and saw the spring sitting half off the spring platform!

If the rack bushes are worn you'll be able to see the rack moving. I'm sure you can look down the back of the engine and see it. Get someone to move the steering back and forth and if there's any movement there's your problem.

Thanks ill check this tomorrow

 

[ciaran1380]

Just a update, rack bushes are shot, you can actually see the wheel pull back when it's moved, looked down the back of the engine and rack is moving about 5mm

 

[flebay]

Interesting how many miles are on the clock?

Just a update, rack bushes are shot, you can actually see the wheel pull back when it's moved, looked down the back of the engine and rack is moving about 5mm

 

[ciaran1380]

85,000 miles

 

[flebay]

OK should have another 20,000 left in mine.

 

[ciaran1380]

Ok still nil fix on this. Changed lower wishbone, top mounts (modded spacers) , shocks, arb bushes (c**t), rack bushes.
Tried spacers under the top hats. Basically tried everything bar the rack.....

What is it that s***s itself in the rack? I have a inner tie rod on the shelf, could these be worn?

Fuckin sick of this noise.

 

[LeeRS]

LOL. Annoying isn't it. I had mine in yesterday and they said everything is fine. Going to do the outer arb bushes next.

 

[ciaran1380]

LOL. Annoying isn't it. I had mine in yesterday and they said everything is fine. Going to do the outer arb bushes next.

I've done inner and outer arb bushes, no joy. And it's 100% not worth the hassle

 

[ADS_V6]

Last week i had the powerflex rack bushes fitted and steering is much tighter,and the mechanic said there wasnt a lot of wear on the old ones,took him 30 mins

 

[LeeRS]

Still going to do them anyway, everything else is powerflexed so may as well.

 

[ADS_V6]

do it lee it is noticeable with having the inner and outer arbs,whens car going into garage?

 

[LeeRS]

When the bushes turn up, probably next week now. I have a garage in the next unit to my work so is ideal

 

[ciaran1380]

Last week i had the powerflex rack bushes fitted and steering is much tighter,and the mechanic said there wasnt a lot of wear on the old ones,took him 30 mins

Yea the rack bushes are handy when you've the tools. It tightens up the rack , doesn't fix the clicking!

 

[LeeRS]

Can you post up a vid of the noise yours makes just to see if its what I'm experiencing.
No worries if you cant

 

[ciaran1380]

Can you post up a vid of the noise yours makes just to see if its what I'm experiencing.
No worries if you cant :smile:

I will try tomorrow, don't know if it will come through on the iPhone clearly .

 

[Mr Plums]

Did you ever find the cause of the noise?

 

[banderson]

Have you done bottom ball joints?