I have a creaking/popping noise that I believe is coming from either the steering shaft or steering rack.

There is absolutely no noise when cold, but once hot I get loud creaking and popping during slow turning. The noise occurs during the first 20 degrees or so of steering travel in either direction from center, and stops past that. To my ear it sounds more like a rubbery noise than metal but I could be wrong. I tried spraying silicone spray on the rubber piece where the shaft connects to the steering rack and didn’t notice any change. I’ve noticed no play/looseness in the steering, and the car was recently aligned and tracks straight.

Any ideas on what specifically may be causing the problem before I just start replacing things? If it is the shaft and not the rack can that be replaced without removing the steering rack? I’ve searched the forum and haven’t really found any answers so far.

FYI shocks and sway bar + bushings/links are new and I‘ve soaked ball joints, control arm bushings and leaf spring bushings with silicone lubricant since I’ve seen those as suggestions in other threads about steering noise. No change in noise from any of that.

 

Anybody?

 

Guess I’m just going to replace the rack and see if that fixes it. Any recommendations on where to buy/ who to avoid?

To my knowledge the only options are used or remanufactured, nothing new, is that correct?

Anything else I should replace while I’m down there? Balancer has already been replaced.

 

Have you tried the steering with both wheels elevated and then tried with only one wheel elevated and the other on the ground?
HTH

 

Found this in a list of tips
Squeaky steering wheel
When you turn the steering wheel, you may hear a squeak. It's just the plastic surfaces rubbing against each other. A shot of lubricant fixes this.

 

Not my issue, but thanks. I’m pretty sure it’s the steering rack.

 

If you are sure its the rack, send yours to TurnOne for a rebuild. You might consider doing the pump at the same time. If you are dropping the front cradle to get to the rack, check your engine mounts.
Most importantly, don't let the steering wheel turn while you have the rack off!

 

End links?

 

. All new but worth a try, check the sway bars and links for correct torque. My rear sway bar popped and clunked. The clamp nuts and bolts were loose.

 

Did you have the issue before replacing any parts on the front suspension? Double check the install and all torque specs. Are you at stock ride height or lowered?

 

Yes, the issue was there prior to replacing any suspension components. Stock ride height

 

What is the condition of the bumpers on the front lowering bolts? If the bolts are bent or the bumpers are binding this can create the sound you are describing.

Maybe inspect, clean, and lubricate. I have heard poly bushing grease works well.

 

I sprayed some lube on them at one point and noticed no change. Haven’t closely inspected them. Haven’t really been in the mood to mess with it lately. Sometime soon hopefully I’ll go through and double check a few things, see if I can narrow it down further.

If it were the leaf spring bumpers I wouldn’t think they’d be very affected by whether the engine was warm or not. Also no noises going over bumps. That’s why I believe it’s the bushing at the top of the steering rack, since it’s right there near the exhaust. No noise at all when the engine is cold, but once it’s hot it’ll drive you crazy

 

Might as well check the power steering rack bolts to the frame. The right side bolt does have a bushing. Never heard of that bushing going bad though. Good luck with the issue.

 

Just an update for anyone who may encounter this. I replaced the steering rack while doing a cam swap and the noise appears to be gone.