Steering rattle

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 6:52 pm

I have noticed over the last year that when driving over rough ground, i can feel a rattle in the steering wheel. Feels like something is loose.

The steering uni joint looks ok, and i had a quick look at the tie rod ends and they look ok

Could my steering rack be worn? How hard is it to replace?

Cheers

Goon · Post by **Goon** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 8:11 pm

Yup, same with mine, last time i went to get parts from "the mechanic", he told me to change out the uni and that should sort it out. Went with gut feeling had front disks machined and replaced pads. Worked for a while, so ok, time to change out old front bearings, did that, rattle only got worse- but only below 70k's? Older bro reckons it's a combo of loose brake shims/backing inserts and tired tie rod ends..or a rippled tire wall and uneven load in vehicle...or, God forbid, buggered spider gears in rear diff. Anyone else here got a theory 'bout this one?

Goon · Post by **Goon** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 8:13 pm

OOps, forgot to mention recently got a replacement tail shaft w/centre bearing from a Great club Member, still to fit and test.(sorry! work,work,work etc.....)

D3V1L · Post by **D3V1L** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 8:18 pm

lower controll arm ball joints caused this in my old L series wagon
u might also find that shagged shockies will make the same tapping type noises. my black liberty did that

dave

steve_rising_sun · Post by **steve_rising_sun** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 10:18 am

Sometimes the steering column flogs out were the slides are and that makes a nice noise over bumps.
Steve

sven '2' · Post by **sven '2'** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 6:26 pm

check also your steering wheel shaft bearings - you have x2 - an easy job if they are stuffed

sven

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 5:17 pm

Ive narrowed it down to the steering rack (i think)

I got dad to wobble the steering wheel and i watched the tie rod ends and i noticed that the steering shaft was moving, but the steering rods werent.

So i priced a new rack

Over $400 for a new one.

Can i get it reconditioned?

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 5:53 pm

Suparoo wrote:Can i get it reconditioned?

I don't see why not...

bretgc · Post by **bretgc** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 6:45 pm

over 400 for a new steering rack?! thats not what i wanted to hear...i have lateral movement in the steering column...

chubby37 · Post by **chubby37** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 6:57 pm

have you chexked your rack bushes....very common problem....cost about $30 for the 2 new ones from fulcrum

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 7:04 pm

Rack bushes?

Are they inside the steering rack, or the ones that attach it to the crossmember?

chubby37 · Post by **chubby37** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 7:05 pm

you can see the bushes here in this pic even tho its not a subaru rack....its the ones that hold the rack to the car and stop it moving
http://opc.mr2oc.com/online_parts_catal ... g_rack.gif

chubby37 · Post by **chubby37** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 7:05 pm

the one that attach to the Xmember....stop sideways movment

bretgc · Post by **bretgc** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 7:45 pm

nah not yet, only just noticed it yesterday, ill check em out. thanx mate.

Bret

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 4:47 pm

Update...

I got another steering rack (power steering) wow, much more precicse, but harder due to the fact i havent fittet the power steering pump yet

There is less movement in the steering wheel, so my steering rack was worn, but the rattling noise when driving over rough ground is unchanged, so it looks like i will be replacing the steering column bearings.

How is it done? And what bearings do i ask for?

Cheers

Lang · Post by **Lang** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 5:42 pm

You can replace the tie rod to rack shafts, about $40.00 or so per side, even without removing the r/p from the vehicle, bit of a juggle, though you may and should get a wheel alignment after. Make sure your anti-sway bar bushes are ok, they kick up a fuss,and are cheap.

timmo · Post by **timmo** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 8:05 pm

Suparoo wrote:Update...

so it looks like i will be replacing the steering column bearings.

How is it done? And what bearings do i ask for?

Cheers

reading with interest. I've been thinking about doing something about my steering column clunk for about 5 years

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 10:27 am

Had same in my Brumby. Left the undercar obs to my mechanic mate who I thought at the time knew better - leading to diagnosis - it's in the rack. reco rack goes in. By the way, this is after fitting new discs to fix the problem.

What fixed the problem in my case was : BRUMBY REMEMBER L may be diff size

hardy spicers U/J kit staked steering K5 A699

somehow removed the original staked uni in the steering shaft between rack and firewall and tack welded new one in place - or you look like you have access to many of these sort of bits Gannon, swap another in. I was told by someone that man and power bits are different. I recoed a spare to keep car on road

hardy spicer 1/9 Moterey Rd, Dandenong Sth 3175 - good bearing centre should be able to supply