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Steering rack clunk

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Old Jan 15, 2004 | 03:15 PM
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Default Steering rack clunk

I get a clunk in my steering rack, where the steering shaft enters the steering rack. What's this a sign of?
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Old Jan 15, 2004 | 05:23 PM
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Something bad.
Any leaks?

Are you sure it the shaft going into the rack or is the steering shaft itself just moving and the set bolt need tightening.
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Old Jan 15, 2004 | 05:29 PM
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I'll double check it all but no leaks.
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Old Jan 16, 2004 | 04:58 PM
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I added some fluid, it was low and it helped a bit but the noise is still there.
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Old Jan 16, 2004 | 05:58 PM
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Does it clunk with the engine off or only when it has power assist? Is there any slop in the linkage? Is the set bolt (mentioned) loose? Is the rack still bolted tightly to the car?

I'd guess that you have something loose, the rack mounts, the steering linkage or something. How many miles are on that beast now?
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Old Jan 16, 2004 | 08:01 PM
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Originally Posted by trackbird
Does it clunk with the engine off or only when it has power assist?
Both.

Is there any slop in the linkage?
None that I can tell.

Is the set bolt (mentioned) loose? Is the rack still bolted tightly to the car?
Will check both of those for sure. When I have someone turn the wheel and I'm looking at the portion of the rack where the steering linkage inserts it sounds as if it's coming from there.

The reason I think it's the rack is that my upper driver's side ball joint has been busted for about 5 months now. I have had a new ball joint ready to go in for 4.5 months but I lost my lug key and got very busy and never got around to it. Well, found the lug key, replaced the ball joint, and it's still clunking. It was clunking about 1 month before I replaced the upper ball joint. I think the driving on the damaged upper ball joint for that long of a time caused damage to the steering rack. It's my own fault but it's only a part and it can be replaced.

I'd guess that you have something loose, the rack mounts, the steering linkage or something. How many miles are on that beast now?
I'll check those, too. I have 92,000 on her , 9500 on the MTI motor
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Old Jan 20, 2004 | 12:48 AM
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Occasioanlly my SS will get kinda tough to turn on sharp turns like into a parking spot and sometimes make a slight humming noise. I have never autoXed the car. Have there been any issues with our racks yet?
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Old Jan 20, 2004 | 08:50 PM
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Set bolt is not loose. Steering rack is firmly bolted to the K-member.

It only does it if the car is at idle or very low RPMs. I'm wondering, is it the power steering pump not providing adequate pressure?
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Old Jan 20, 2004 | 10:02 PM
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How old is the fluid? Not likley to fix it, but it can't hurt.
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Old Jan 21, 2004 | 01:53 PM
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trackbird, fluid is relatively new.
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Old Jan 21, 2004 | 03:11 PM
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Geez Levi, between the shocks and the steering rack, you may just have to leave that car with me for a while.....
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Old Jan 21, 2004 | 03:14 PM
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Originally Posted by trackbird
Geez Levi, between the shocks and the steering rack, you may just have to leave that car with me for a while.....
I think it's just the rack. I have a new one with less than 5K on it coming

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Old Jan 21, 2004 | 09:14 PM
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Are you sure you don't need to leave it with me for a year or so to "check it out"?
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Old Jan 21, 2004 | 09:15 PM
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I'm pretty sure . If I change my mind I'll be sure to let you know.
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Old Jan 21, 2004 | 09:40 PM
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Well....ok
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Old Jan 26, 2004 | 09:41 AM
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What are the bolts that attach the steering rack to the car should be torqued to?
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Old Jan 26, 2004 | 10:31 AM
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the rack prolly has gone bad. When you first get into the car try and turn the wheel if it gets stiff and loosens up its time for a new one
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Old Jan 26, 2004 | 11:04 AM
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Originally Posted by HumpinSS
the rack prolly has gone bad. When you first get into the car try and turn the wheel if it gets stiff and loosens up its time for a new one
I've had no issue with increased steering effort. I only get this click in the steering rack. The click occurs at the same position in the steering cycle, too.
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Old Jan 26, 2004 | 11:07 AM
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Mine started out that way also and then it progressively got worse until there were times where there were increase steeering efforts for brief periods
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