Rack and pinion noise

[MarkM66]

I've had a clunking sound in the front of my '01 Civic for awhile now, that I can't seem to pinpoint.

I've replaced the bushings, complete strut assemblies, and the pass side axle. But the sound is still there. I can only hear it when hitting small sharp bumps, like on a gravel road.

I did a little searching today, and I've notices some movement in my steering rack, at the connection of the tie rods. The rack on this car has a center unit that drives the tie rods. I'm sure there's a name for this style, but I'm unaware of it.

In this picture(not my unit), where the tie rods connect, I can pull up on the tie rods, and get some movement and noise at that connection, more so when there's not weight on the front wheels. It also seems to be were the noise is coming from.

The rack itself is solid, and doesn't move.

Could this just be wear in the gears themselves? It steers fine.

 

[Dakota1820]

yep ive seen several cars do it my friends 06 cobalt for one. my saturn will do it very slightly on a really bad gravel road and driving fast. its just play at the gear is what im told. pretty common in general. not a big deal.

 

[Trav]

Quote:
where the tie rods connect, I can pull up on the tie rods, and get some movement and noise at that connection

Are you sure you dont need inner tie rod(s)?

 

[mechtech2]

Originally Posted By: Trav
Quote:
where the tie rods connect, I can pull up on the tie rods, and get some movement and noise at that connection

Are you sure you dont need inner tie rod(s)?


Right!
That's my first guess.

 

[stephen9666]

Originally Posted By: Trav
Quote:
where the tie rods connect, I can pull up on the tie rods, and get some movement and noise at that connection

Are you sure you dont need inner tie rod(s)?


This was my first guess, too.

To the OP-
I'm not familiar with your specific model, but here's how it generally works. You may already know this info:

There should be inner tie rod ends that screw into the rack. The tie rods should be a ball-and-socket type joint, or something similar. So, unless there is a problem in the rack itself (which is possible), it sounds like you have loose inner tie rods.

It looks like inner tie rod ends range from $16 - $37 on Rock Auto. Amazon may be a better deal after including shipping, but I didn't check there.

 

[MarkM66]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Originally Posted By: Trav
Quote:
where the tie rods connect, I can pull up on the tie rods, and get some movement and noise at that connection

Are you sure you dont need inner tie rod(s)?


Right!
That's my first guess.


I can't get any movement from the tie rods, either up and down, or in and out, just from the part that they screw into. I'll have to look into it a little more.

Also, I'm not sure why I put this in the forum, it should be in the mechanical forum.

 

[artificialist]

Have you ever replaced the sway bar bushings and links? I frequently have to replace those 2 items due to noises made while going over bumps.

 

[MarkM66]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
Have you ever replaced the sway bar bushings and links? I frequently have to replace those 2 items due to noises made while going over bumps.


No I never have. But I can't find any wear in them, they seem solid.

I checked the tie rods again, and I still don't see any movement in them. I guess I'll just live with it for now.

 

[mechtech2]

OK... Try this:
Have someone turn the steering wheel back and forth rather rapidly about 1-2 inches. You go and feel and look for stuff that is not moving when it should. There should be no play. Any wheel movement should equal parts movement.
This is a great and simple check for what is really loose.