Steering Rack Squeak
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From: Beverly Hills (Pine Ridge) Florida
Steering Rack Squeak
87 Z-52 with 98K on it. Noise (squeak) started today when ever the front end is pushed down. Tracked the noise to the driver's side tierod in the rack. Can rotate the tierod via the tierod end (at least as far as the rod end will allow), and the squeak comes and goes (disappears for a couple of cycles, and then returns - but varies in pitch and intensity depending on rotation location). And no it is not the tierod end itself (definately coming from the rack). The boots are all "like new".
Has anyone ever heard of this before? This is the original rack, and works like a charm in all other respects. Was thinking of popping the boot clamp, working the boot back, and seeing if I can get some lube into the rod ball socket.
Thoughts? Comments?
Plasticman
Has anyone ever heard of this before? This is the original rack, and works like a charm in all other respects. Was thinking of popping the boot clamp, working the boot back, and seeing if I can get some lube into the rod ball socket.
Thoughts? Comments?
Plasticman
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 10,349
Likes: 673
From: Beverly Hills (Pine Ridge) Florida
I removed the tie rod end this morning (and put it back on for later tests), and it is not the problem. The tie rod end is in nice tight shape with no rough or loose spots in it's rotation and movement. I also greased it, just to be sure (but it was greased 2K miles ago). When reinstalled, the noise was still there.
The squeak is definately coming from the inner end of the tie rod (rack end). "Sounds" like it is coming from the front of the oil pan. I rotated the tie rod slightly, and then tightened the rod to the tie rod end, and the noise is gone. Rotate the rod back to the original spot, tighten the rod end, and the noise was back. I then loosened the rod and moved it all over the place (to distribute any grease that might be left in the area). Retightened the rod to the tie rod end in the correct/original spot. Now the noise is gone and I can't get it back. I know this is just temporary, and figure the next step is to loosen the boot and try forcing grease into the rod end socket, and then reclamp. If that does not work, time for a new rack.
Plasticman
The squeak is definately coming from the inner end of the tie rod (rack end). "Sounds" like it is coming from the front of the oil pan. I rotated the tie rod slightly, and then tightened the rod to the tie rod end, and the noise is gone. Rotate the rod back to the original spot, tighten the rod end, and the noise was back. I then loosened the rod and moved it all over the place (to distribute any grease that might be left in the area). Retightened the rod to the tie rod end in the correct/original spot. Now the noise is gone and I can't get it back. I know this is just temporary, and figure the next step is to loosen the boot and try forcing grease into the rod end socket, and then reclamp. If that does not work, time for a new rack.
Plasticman
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 10,349
Likes: 673
From: Beverly Hills (Pine Ridge) Florida
Update:
Removed the boot from the driver's side tie rod (broke the clamp and with some prying, was able to slide the boot outward towards the wheel). Tie rod socket was dry and had a caked up grease residue. Did not see a way to remove the rod from the socket, but did manage to get a bunch of grease in there to lube it temporarily.
Now the bad part: Since I had to raise the wheels to undo the end of the tie rod, this also unloaded the other side. I checked the pass. side rod and found it was loose at the rack end (it clinks when moved up/down/side to side with obvious looseness and movement). Rack need to be replaced. This loosness is not apparent when the wheels are on the ground (loaded). It also explains why I have been having a slight pull to the right when I hit the brakes (that has not been corrected even though I have replaced the pads).
Recommend that you check the rack end of the tie rods (for looseness) next time your Vette is elevated. This can not be an isolated case.
Plasticman
Removed the boot from the driver's side tie rod (broke the clamp and with some prying, was able to slide the boot outward towards the wheel). Tie rod socket was dry and had a caked up grease residue. Did not see a way to remove the rod from the socket, but did manage to get a bunch of grease in there to lube it temporarily.
Now the bad part: Since I had to raise the wheels to undo the end of the tie rod, this also unloaded the other side. I checked the pass. side rod and found it was loose at the rack end (it clinks when moved up/down/side to side with obvious looseness and movement). Rack need to be replaced. This loosness is not apparent when the wheels are on the ground (loaded). It also explains why I have been having a slight pull to the right when I hit the brakes (that has not been corrected even though I have replaced the pads).
Recommend that you check the rack end of the tie rods (for looseness) next time your Vette is elevated. This can not be an isolated case.
Plasticman
Last edited by Plasticman; Oct 24, 2004 at 11:22 PM.
