Cracking noise when turning?

1st June 2012, 22:44

sometimes when I turn the wheel in my vtr something makes a cracking noise a bit like something being snapped, sounds like its coming from the steering rack area mostly but sometimes sounds as if its coming from the suspension area can't really tell.. steering doesn't feel right either and is a bit sloppy on corners. track rod ends are new so its not those, could it be my steering rack and how do you check the rack to see if its bad?

Thanks

1st June 2012, 23:21

I also had the cracking/clunk from lock to lock.. It turned out to be the big bolt holding the steering rack on.. (where the track rod's meet up in middle) I Replaced that.. and the cracking stopped.

But could also be dry/fucked strut top mounts/bearing.

2nd June 2012, 00:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by saxova

I also had the cracking/clunk from lock to lock.. It turned out to be the big bolt holding the steering rack on.. (where the track rod's meet up in middle) I Replaced that.. and the cracking stopped.

But could also be dry/fucked strut top mounts/bearing.

will check that out tommorrow, I think the top mounts are ok.. well they were last time I had them off anyway which wasn't long ago

2nd June 2012, 19:48

Check the driveshaft as well mate.

3rd June 2012, 15:43

I checked these out today, got my mate to turn the wheel while i had a look for the noise and im pretty sure its coming from the rack area

im just not sure if its the inner tie rod or the steering rack, got the feeling its the rack though.. does any1 know how I can test the rack to see if its bad i'm unsure how to tell really other than listening to the noise?

Symtoms i have are obviously the cracking/knocking noise, feels loose in corners weirdly more loose when turning right than left and if im driving in a straight line there is some play in steering before the wheels actually move.

I would just get another rack and switch it over but its quite alot of work if its not that and would like to be sure first lol..

thanks