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Steering rattle
Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 6:52 pm
by Gannon
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
Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 8:11 pm
by Goon
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?
Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 8:13 pm
by Goon
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.....)
Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 8:18 pm
by D3V1L
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
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 10:18 am
by steve_rising_sun
Sometimes the steering column flogs out were the slides are and that makes a nice noise over bumps.
Steve
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 6:26 pm
by sven '2'
check also your steering wheel shaft bearings - you have x2 - an easy job if they are stuffed
sven
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 5:17 pm
by Gannon
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?
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 5:53 pm
by El_Freddo
Suparoo wrote:Can i get it reconditioned?
I don't see why not...
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 6:45 pm
by bretgc
over 400 for a new steering rack?! thats not what i wanted to hear...i have lateral movement in the steering column...
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 6:57 pm
by chubby37
have you chexked your rack bushes....very common problem....cost about $30 for the 2 new ones from fulcrum
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 7:04 pm
by Gannon
Rack bushes?
Are they inside the steering rack, or the ones that attach it to the crossmember?
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 7:05 pm
by chubby37
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
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 7:05 pm
by chubby37
the one that attach to the Xmember....stop sideways movment
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 7:45 pm
by bretgc
nah not yet, only just noticed it yesterday, ill check em out. thanx mate.
Bret
Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 4:47 pm
by Gannon
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
Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 5:42 pm
by Lang
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.
Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 8:05 pm
by timmo
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
Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 10:27 am
by steptoe
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
