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Hi there, I read through a few sections to try and find an answer to my problem but luck was not on my side, as it always isn’t.
To keep this short, I’ll just start off by saying within the course of a year I have replaced these items.
> Both front left and right lower ball joints
> Front and rear rotors and pads
> Front left brake caliper and bracket
> Outer tie rod ends
> Rack and Pinions (includes new inner tie rods) two times.So as you can see, almost everything in the front end is brand new. The first time I replaced my rack everything was fine except the threads for the feed line stripped out so I had it replaced. This current rack seemed to be doing fine until recently. It’s been in there for about 1.5 months now and I have attached videos of my problems with that below:
I get that noise now and a loud popping/knocking sound when going over slight inclines like driveway entrances to the right or left. It’s more comparable to the sound of a knee popping. It’ll “pop” about 3-4 times and sometimes when slightly turning left or right.
On top of all of this, I now have a moderate to severe vibration above 45mph. I watched some videos and read some articles and I’m suspecting the balance of my tires. They’re brand new, but I’ve taken the front wheels off so much that I may have knocked one off somehow.
Any insights? Thanks for looking!
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You said you replaced the Steering rack…. Do you notice any increase in effort to steer the vehicle at the wheel?
How hard was it to remove the steering rack from the intermediate steering shaft?
I have seen the steering column intermediate shaft (down by your feet) U joint damaged when a hammer or strong force was required to remove the rack from the shaft… Why it this has happened after a few months may be due to how it was installed…. Also ensure the steering rack is secure and on tightly…
To check, Have someone turn the wheel (have them sit in passenger seat) and get your ears down by the pedal and listen for the noise down there or carefully turn the wheel while you are down there yourself… May also want to put the front end on stands with the car off and turn the wheel and listen for the noise location…
-Karl
I cannot feel or notice that it requires any extra effort to move the steering wheel.
It only required about half my body weight to separate the rack from the intermediate shaft. And, of course, any subsequent removals it’ll come off somewhat easy.
When I installed it I made sure that the U-joint clamp bolt was tight, the 4 mounting bolts for the rack were tight and secure, and that the fluid feed/return lines were snug as well. The rack is not leaking anywhere and there is no loss of pressure.
I want to blame the rack, but I find it odd that I would be sent two faulty racks. They’re not remanufactured either, they’re advertised as brand-new.
In that first video I posted the noise seemed to be coming from where the passenger side of the rack meets the inner tie rod. I could hear it louder than the video was portraying.
Yeah… Have seen issues with those Ebay Cheapie racks….. For some reason the bushings are not as tight and the racks can “wander) (I know how expensive OEM is too!!).. Recommend getting a Napa rebuilt version if you trace the problem to the rack….
I recommend getting the front of the vehicle up on stands or a lift and safely look at the rack while turning and listen for noise…
-Karl
Maybe you’re right, this video is what it sounds like in the car, but it doesn’t make the noise when standing still. Could it still be the cause do you think?
Thanks to this video:
I may have just found what my problem was. My end links are extremely rusty and one of them has the boot torn. I’m going to jack the car up tonight and pry on it to see if it makes noise, but I’m pretty sure that’s what it is. I just don’t know why it would make a noise when turning the wheel at a standstill…I hope replacing them both will fix it. I’m going to have to use my Dremel™ to cut them off.
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