clanking from powersteering rack?

woody354 · 07-09-2012, 04:49 PM

So my car has this rattling feeling when I let the clutch out slow from a stop and I've taken it to a few shops and they said the tie rods where bad so i replaced them on both sides and it still does it. The more I mess with it I've noticed when the car is sitting still and i turn the steering wheel back and forth it sounds like theres some clanking together in the rack. Im not real familiar with this part of the car and I was wondering if anyone has experienced this kind of thing before or could it be a bad rack that is causing the rattling when the clutch is being let out? The best way I can try to describe it is almost sounds like "clutch chatter" or a bad motor mount and it only happens from a dead stop or a real slow roll as the clutch starts to grab it the front start vibrating real bad if at a low rpm and the steering wheel vibrates pretty good too. I'm still learning my way around this car, any input or advice would be great!

upgrading_86 · 07-11-2012, 02:06 AM

You said from a slow roll or dead stop are you turning or going straight at the time you here this sound? Have you checked your p/s fluid, I'd start with the simple stuff first

Talon IV · 07-11-2012, 08:29 AM

And did you have both the inner and outter tie rods replaced? And where do you feel the rattle the most? Like in the steering wheel, dash, pedals...

woody354 · 07-11-2012, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talon IV

And did you have both the inner and outter tie rods replaced? And where do you feel the rattle the most? Like in the steering wheel, dash, pedals...

yea, I replaced bother inners an outters on both sides, actually had to redo them once becasue they came loose on me, but I put some locktight on it and tightened it down with the right tool the second time and theyre solid. but the only time it does it is like at stop lights and what not as I let the clutch out as you typcially would, as the clutch starts to grab and if I'm under 1000 rpm it makes a shudder-d like vibration in the tires, dash and the steering wheel and then a light rattle as the clutch fully grabs from what seems to be on the passenger side, but if I ride the clutch out just a little bit to around 1100 rpms or so it seems ok. And when I sit in the driveway and turn the steering wheel wile not moving I can hear a "clank-clank" like sound and it seems to be comming from inbetween the tie rods. Its done this since I bought the car but its been getting a bit annoying lately and I just cant seem to narrow itdown enough to fix the issue yet...

yhype · 07-11-2012, 08:33 PM

Also could be a CV axle problem as they move/flex when turning the wheel and while your taking off from a stop.

luv2rallye · 07-11-2012, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woody354

And when I sit in the driveway and turn the steering wheel wile not moving I can hear a "clank-clank" like sound and it seems to be comming from inbetween the tie rods.

Watch the steering rack housing for movement while someone turns the steering wheel back and forth. Do while car is on the ground first (so it's under load) looking at the housing from the side (sight past the tie rod). If there is movement, jack up front and check the steering rack housing mounting bolts and clamp for tightness. You will have to remove centermember and 2 stays to get at it.

woody354 · 07-13-2012, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luv2rallye

Watch the steering rack housing for movement while someone turns the steering wheel back and forth. Do while car is on the ground first (so it's under load) looking at the housing from the side (sight past the tie rod). If there is movement, jack up front and check the steering rack housing mounting bolts and clamp for tightness. You will have to remove centermember and 2 stays to get at it.

That sounds like it might be the issue, or something like that. Ill try getting under it in the next couple days and see if I can pin point what it is. Thanks for your input. Hopefully Ill get it figured out soon!

Quote:

Originally Posted by yhype

Also could be a CV axle problem as they move/flex when turning the wheel and while your taking off from a stop.

I dont feel like the axles are bad becasue at least I think when an axle is going out it usually makes noise while driving. Once I get above like 15 mph everything feels fine, I could be wrong though.