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Hi folks. I have a clunk/rattle in my 2gen OB steering when I drive on bumpy roads, it's fine otherwise. There appears to be some slop in the rack/pinion input shaft bearing, I can get some movement there and it seems like the first step in finding the issue. Is it possible to change that bearing with basic workshop tools? It's definately coming from the column or rack rather than the suspension area. Cheers.

Probably not with basic tools. You may find you need some seals on hand before trying. It is a lock collar drifting loose perhaps??

I have a similar clunk found to be in the 392,000km rack itself manual in my Brumby, clunks up driveways, over some bumps, and on gear change, thought to be rack ends at first ( the rack end of the tie rod connector) found them to be fine. Time to throw the spare in ....

If there's no slop it could be one or both of the front struts - they give a very dull knock over gentle bumps and when beginning cornering as the strut moves.

But if there's slop it could be one of the little uni joints in the steering column, if you've got adjustable steering wheel height there's another one in the system there.

How many k's on the clock?

Cheers

Bennie

Jack it up on stands at the front and with the motor running get someone in the car flicking the wheel from side to side while you are under there having a look listen, usually easiest way to find a clunk.

Thanks for the replies folks. I can see and feel movement where the steering shaft enters the rack and if I put sideways pressure on it while someone is moving the steering wheel the clunk stops so I reckon that's where the issue is. I haven't had a good look yet, I was hoping I could just remove that top section where the steering shaft enters and replace those bearings. Guessing it won't be that easy though!

Sounds like the rack has issues and personally think it easier/cheaper to find a low km jap import one.

Cheers, I'm still yet to sort it out, haven't had the opportunity to do much more investigating. There's a chance it's actually the uni joints on the linkage, which would be much better than changing the rack!