Cracking Sound from Steering Rack
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,770
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From: Construction Sucks! MI
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor '03 & '05
Cracking Sound from Steering Rack
I have a cracking sound coming from what seems the middle of the steering rack. Here's the details:
When the car has been sitting (say overnight), it doesn't make any sound and runs smoothly. After it warms up, the sound starts occuring, but only at slow speeds and sharp turns.
If I'm not moving at all, I only have to turn the steering wheel back and forth and inch and it makes the noise. I do have a small leak, but I can go a whole year without adding any power steering fluid (and only a little at that).
I don't have any deadspots or loss of power.
Is this the gears binding? I plan on doing a front end rebuild, could bad tie rods/ball joints/bushings cause this problem.
Thanks,
Joe
When the car has been sitting (say overnight), it doesn't make any sound and runs smoothly. After it warms up, the sound starts occuring, but only at slow speeds and sharp turns.
If I'm not moving at all, I only have to turn the steering wheel back and forth and inch and it makes the noise. I do have a small leak, but I can go a whole year without adding any power steering fluid (and only a little at that).
I don't have any deadspots or loss of power.
Is this the gears binding? I plan on doing a front end rebuild, could bad tie rods/ball joints/bushings cause this problem.
Thanks,
Joe
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 395
From: Liberty, SC
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Id suggest getring the front wheels off the ground and have someone turn the steering lock to lock while you watch and touch the moving parts. (engine off of course)
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4,206
Likes: 1,325
From: LeClaire Iowa
Before posting ,I assume, you raised both front wheels off the ground and checked everything for tightness, Tie rod ends (both inner and outer), wheel bearings and ball joints. With the wheels off the ground start the engine and try to get the sound with someone looking up front. Should be easy to locate. Dan
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
I had the ball joints & front end inspected a month ago, and I was told it was “fine”. Not sure if they checked when the car was actually up to temperature & making the particular grinding / cracking noise..
I don’t have Jack stands available to me at the moment…
I don’t have Jack stands available to me at the moment…
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 209
Likes: 81
From: Dalbo, Minnesota
With the car on the ground and not running, roll down the drivers window and open the hood. Reach in and turn the wheel back and forth while observing the front tire. Look for lost motion. i.e. the steering has a noticeable dead spot.
Worst case scenario there is a fractured ball in the steering rack ball nut. It would bind or pop when that ball is on the ball screw. Ball fractures can happen when the nut/screw are worn out. So if you have lost motion and it's not the tie rod ends or ball joints the steering rack is suspect.
If it is the rack, and I'm saying it has to be that, replace it sooner than later as the next failure modes are worse.
Worst case scenario there is a fractured ball in the steering rack ball nut. It would bind or pop when that ball is on the ball screw. Ball fractures can happen when the nut/screw are worn out. So if you have lost motion and it's not the tie rod ends or ball joints the steering rack is suspect.
If it is the rack, and I'm saying it has to be that, replace it sooner than later as the next failure modes are worse.
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Drifting
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From: Central Florida
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If you can get the audio into a wav file it will also work.
apk avi bin bmp cfg csv doc docx ecu efi gif gsc hex hpl hpt html jpe jpeg jpg mov mp3 mpeg mpg msl msq pdf png pps psd rar table tun txt vex wav wmf wmv xls xlsx xml zip
If you can get the audio into a wav file it will also work.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 23
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FYI, it appears the doorknobs that checked my
ball joints didn’t realize that the passenger side lower ball joint has a ripped boot…which could be the answer to this mystery, as I assume the joint is dry & dirty now.
ball joints didn’t realize that the passenger side lower ball joint has a ripped boot…which could be the answer to this mystery, as I assume the joint is dry & dirty now.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4,206
Likes: 1,325
From: LeClaire Iowa
If that is a ball joint you would have to think you could temporarily tape up the ball joint ripped seal and pump the crap out of it while turning and get some level of relief on the noise. Dan
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
I might have to tape the old ball joint, as the new MOOG replacement lower ball joint doesn’t fit according to the mechanic. I was told that it fits loose. As anyone experienced this before? I have two (model #K6345) and both didn’t work. Ordered from ROCKAUTO…very unusual
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,064
Likes: 1,166
From: N. Alabama
Mine was. Sent it to Turn One and problem solved. I had a Cardone rack stuck in my LT4 but didn't like the ratio since my '96 was a little quicker ratio from factory. Glad I removed that replacement and sent the original to T1 for rebuild. Excellent work and no creaking/cracking sound when turning.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
It appears that tightening some loose bolts around the rack remedied the problem, very unusual, but not unheard of. I’m now more confused about the loose fitting moog lower ball joint. I haven’t come across a thread that mentions any sizing issues with that particular brand…