Steering Knock

Sir WIll · #1 25th March 2015, 05:02 PM

Gents,

Noticed over the last couple of days a knock from the front of the car.

Seemed to happen over bumps and when turning.

Had a look at it tonight and the fault is when the steering wheel is turned. At standstill there is a level of slack in the system and if your turning the steering wheel one way or the other you hear a knock.

Its almost like there is a little slack or something has worn on the steering at some location, but it sounds to me to be close the wheel itself or the column in the car.

Steering is fine, car drives straight and ok but there is this knock when turning the wheel. Steering weight is OK and no whine on the system, fluid levels are as expected.

Sounds like its coming from in the car rather than outside but that may just be my ears!

Thoughts?

Sir WIll · #2 25th March 2015, 05:22 PM

Is there anyway I can upload a video to this place?

This may work:

https://vid.me/lY5A

brasiliangringo · #3 25th March 2015, 08:23 PM

These can be a PITA to figure out esp on cars like these with numerous multi link arms. Recording is not going to really help, from here all we can do is speculate when what you need to do is roll your sleeves up and work your way through them to eliminate.

brasiliangringo · #4 25th March 2015, 08:31 PM

Only odd thing this reminds me off that i noted on my old S8 that would vex many (as it did me) during low speed stop start manoeveruing, the pads can shift back and forth ever so slightly (mms) in the front calipers during load state change between R and D causing slight click/knock.

Sir WIll · #5 28th March 2015, 07:25 PM

Had a look inside the cabin today as the knock is from the bulkhead area.

This joint all seemed solid without knocks, it sounds like the problem is just the other side of the bulkhead to this UV joint.

Anyone have a diagram I can look at for this?

Next step is jack the car up and remove the undertray for a better look.

brasiliangringo · #6 29th March 2015, 03:11 PM

the other side is the steering rack as im sure you have figured out. There are bolts just the other-side which hold it in place. If you are certain that is where the noise is emanating from, then it would be worth checking they are all tight OR it could be the inner tie rod ball joint is worn.

Sir WIll · #7 31st March 2015, 04:48 PM

Right we have made some progress here.

Car went in for a service today (Auditechnik in Gloucester, recommended) and I asked them to take a look when the car was up in the air.

The chap stated that the inner rack is worn and there is some play in there so that is the cause.

Not a massive surprise on an old car and no doubt was going to need to be done at some point.

Quoted about 5 hours to do (£300) plus the rack itself, looking around they are about £150 new (Plus £90 surcharge) from EuroCarParts which is a damn good price.

Could I just check if anyone has the correct part number before I go down this route? I should confirm 1N1 Power steering on the build list.

sarg · #8 31st March 2015, 05:25 PM

Correct part number will depend on whether you have standard or servotronic (speed sensitive) PAS, the latter is slightly more expensive but not by much. If memory serves me right the best prices are in exchange for your old rack.

5 hours labour for £300 to change a D2 rack is the deal of the century, am sure the workshop books lists it at 8-9 hours or more

Sir WIll · #9 31st March 2015, 05:30 PM

Power Steering is 1N1 according to the book which is standard I believe.

Yes 5.1 hours quoted in fact so I am not going to argue with that.

brasiliangringo · #10 31st March 2015, 05:39 PM

5 - 6 hours is about right not inc alignment.

Inner rack is worn ? Not the most specific diagnosis. The rack and pinion are made of pretty hard core steel. I hope he is not confusing it with inner tie rod play which is weaker given the plastic cup inside the balljoint which wears and you get a knock.

Although to change the inner tie rod, its a rack out job.