Click Noise from Steering Rack Area
#1
Click Noise from Steering Rack Area
Hi guys,
I need help!
My R53 makes a quite loud click noise when turning the steering wheel, especilly at low speed like when parking. This is not a noise from inside the car, it is around the steering rack or column in the engine bay. The volume level of the noise comes and goes.
Please help with what this is?!
P.S. I read there is a collar in the steering column that can make a click inside the car (and mine does a tiny bit) but I think this is something else?
I need help!
My R53 makes a quite loud click noise when turning the steering wheel, especilly at low speed like when parking. This is not a noise from inside the car, it is around the steering rack or column in the engine bay. The volume level of the noise comes and goes.
Please help with what this is?!
P.S. I read there is a collar in the steering column that can make a click inside the car (and mine does a tiny bit) but I think this is something else?
#2
#3
More information:
I do hear the sound from inside the car, but it is obviously coming from the other side of the bulkhead. The sound is louder outside the car. Sometimes it's faint, other times clearly audible.
An importiant point I think - the sound doesn't just happen once in each direction of wheel turning. If I keep turning the steering wheel in one direction it can happen 2-3 times, but not always. A slack ball joint for example might only make a sound on change of direction.
No damage to the CV boots.
Also no sound when the wheels are not under the weight of the car, which suggests part of the steering mech to me, as it will have to work harder when the car in on the ground.
On the other hand, CV joints are at a more extreme angle when the car is jacked up and wheels drop. I hear no noise from that area.
I pulled on the wheels top / bottom and side / side. No play. So suggests bushes are and wheel bearings are good. It also suggests my inital thought of inner steering arm joints is not the issue or I'd hear / feel slack when pulling the wheels.
Also no visual damage to the struts and springs.
Sound wise, it seems to be coming from the area where the steering column enters the rack.
I do hear the sound from inside the car, but it is obviously coming from the other side of the bulkhead. The sound is louder outside the car. Sometimes it's faint, other times clearly audible.
An importiant point I think - the sound doesn't just happen once in each direction of wheel turning. If I keep turning the steering wheel in one direction it can happen 2-3 times, but not always. A slack ball joint for example might only make a sound on change of direction.
No damage to the CV boots.
Also no sound when the wheels are not under the weight of the car, which suggests part of the steering mech to me, as it will have to work harder when the car in on the ground.
On the other hand, CV joints are at a more extreme angle when the car is jacked up and wheels drop. I hear no noise from that area.
I pulled on the wheels top / bottom and side / side. No play. So suggests bushes are and wheel bearings are good. It also suggests my inital thought of inner steering arm joints is not the issue or I'd hear / feel slack when pulling the wheels.
Also no visual damage to the struts and springs.
Sound wise, it seems to be coming from the area where the steering column enters the rack.
#4
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#12
And I just noticed the passenger side top strut mount rubber is broken. I'm not sure why I didn't see it before!
I can notice the sqeek when turning but I'm not sure this is going to make the clicking sound?
Needs doing though. Joy!
I've also leanred the rack itself has a bush on one end so that is a point to check on.
R53 damaged top strut mount rubber.
I can notice the sqeek when turning but I'm not sure this is going to make the clicking sound?
Needs doing though. Joy!
I've also leanred the rack itself has a bush on one end so that is a point to check on.
R53 damaged top strut mount rubber.
#13
I changed the strut mount today. Ride is now a little smoother and there is no groaning from the strut side... but the clicking noise from around the steering rack remains!!
Oh bumming hell!
My guess now is the bearing where the steering column enters the top of the rack. I wonder how easy it is to replace.
The good news is I don't seem to have any mushrooming on either strut tower.
Oh bumming hell!
My guess now is the bearing where the steering column enters the top of the rack. I wonder how easy it is to replace.
The good news is I don't seem to have any mushrooming on either strut tower.
#14
Okay guys, help me out here! There must be someone who has disassembled the R50/R53 steering rack?
I think the loud clicking noise I hear is coming from the top section of the rack circled below.
Can I remove this vertical part by un-bolting and withdrawing from the main horizontal rack section? (and what exactly will I find inside it?)
I realise it is full of juice so I really don't want to have a go and then find it doesn't come off.
Help!
I think the loud clicking noise I hear is coming from the top section of the rack circled below.
Can I remove this vertical part by un-bolting and withdrawing from the main horizontal rack section? (and what exactly will I find inside it?)
I realise it is full of juice so I really don't want to have a go and then find it doesn't come off.
Help!
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