[peteuk]

Hi
I have a scenic 1.9 dci 02 reg there,s like a single knock or sounds like a crack noise when you turn the steering from lock to lock it only really happens on full lock ive had it checked out by a couple of garages they all say the springs and upper mountings are ok also there is no play in the steering ball joints and the UJ on the bottom of the steering column is ok..... Kwick Fit said i needed a new steering rack and quoted me £500 to replace it........ Could this be the rack has gone the problem has been there for about a year now with no effect on driving and has not got any worse i thought it was about time i had it looked into even the MOT did,nt pick it up im getting a little worried about this now...... i have to add i only get this noise when the car is stationary

any ideas

 

[cockers]

get the subframe and sterring rack bolts correctly torque tightened , done a few of these and this normally sorts it . if not it could well be in the rack.

 

[peteuk]

Hi Cockers thanks for getting back

Well ive had the bolts checked by one garage and those seem to be ok but in saying that kwick fit did notice a slight movement were the rubbers fit around the rack they said they could see shiny metal as though the rack is moving slightly but they still maintain its the rack were as the other garages have ruled it out you see i don't want to fork out for a rack just for the problem to still be there there are cheaper ways to get the rack replaced but i don't want to waste any money i just tried the steering from lock to lock without the engine running and the noise is still there its just a single sound like a crack which can be felt through the steering wheel im taking the car to another garage tomorrow who specialises in this sort of thing to see what they can find......... and ill ask them to torque up the bolts like you suggested......... ill see what they can find

Pete..........

 

[peteuk]

Hi again

There,s one more thing i forgot to mention there is a creaking noise coming from the drivers side wheel arch as i drive along over any slightly bumpy road ive never mentioned this to any garage but i think i should

Pete..........

 

[mord]

get the anti-roll bar-linkages checked out first.
a new/recon rack is about 120 from a main parts suplier (check on ebay they advertise there)
fitting is about 150 tops for the rack.
keep away from qwack£it, find a good local garage, ask a load of mincab drivers where they go, and check them out, pick the one your happiest with after going round for quotes.

 

[peteuk]

Thanks Mord

I had it checked out again yesterday by and it was confirmed that it is the rack by an independent garage who in fact deal with taxi firms he is going to charge £60 labour and £200 for the rack he also said i could supply my own rack and he will fit it........since then i went to a auto factors and they quoted me £100 plus £40 surcharge (Returnable) for a new rack the only problem i now have is there are 2 types that fit there is the SMI rack or the TRW rack and i don't know which one is fitted and i have to get the right one because they are not interchangeable is there any way i can tell which one is fitted

Thanks everyone for your help
Pete.......................

 

[Rentech]

I would tighten the 13mm bolt at the bottom of the columb before spending any money, common fault, only happens on full lock. or change of direction in heavy conditions

 

[peteuk]

Hi Rentech

Can i get at this bolt from inside the car or do i have to get underneath it ?

Pete..........

 

[peteuk]

hi all

Just had the car looked at again this time by a steering suspension specialist and MOT centre even they said it was the rack after looking at it on the ramp the guy also had a drive in it too and even he said it drives perfect and there,s no play in any of the joints under the car.......... its strange he just leave it and see how it develops the noise is just a single clunk as you steer it from lock to lock when the car is not moving and it does,nt do it every time but they cant pinpoint what's going on but its definitely inside the steering rack so my question is now how do i tell which rack is on there the TRW or the SMI i think i should get the rack changed but i need to find this out first

Pete..............

 

[peteuk]

Hi all

Just one more question if i check what make the steering pump is this should give me which rack is fitted am i right ? because in theory if an trw pump is fitted then its the same for the rack and vasa versa for the smi

Pete...............