Important! : Help!!! steering issue on VTR

17th October 2018, 21:07

I have a 03 VTR and the steering has started to make a loud clunk mostly when turning right. It originally started a few months ago but is was not that loud and it only happened every now and then but since i had a major service done a week or so ago it has got worse and the clunk has got louder. Any suggestions what it could be or what i could do to fix it?

18th October 2018, 00:46

As with all clunks, you need to start searching for the source. Could just be a track rod end, or it could be a balljoint or even a strut top mount. A common source of such clunks when turning the steering is the top mount. There is a bearing between the top spring pan and the rubber mount which allows the spring to rotate with the steering. If these get sticky then the spring can jump round rather than rotate smoothly and cause a clunk.

Have someone view the spring while you turn the steering to see if it is turning stop start / jumping round, in which case you may need to replace the bearing / top mount. To check track rod end, get the wheel off the ground (safely - i.e. on an axle stand) and then try to rock the wheel when grabbing at the 3 and 9O'clock positions. You can also put your fingers on the track rod end- pinch the pin through the rubber boot and rock the wheel as described. Usually if it is the track rod end you will feel it here.

For a balljoint, same thing -wheel in the air, and then grab at 6 and 12 O'clock positions. Rock the wheel and see if you feel it. Again fingers pinching the pin of the ball joint through the rubber can help to identify it. Could also be the anti-roll bar drop link.

Just a case of working through the possibilities methodically.

19th October 2018, 15:05

Something I would consider is getting a friend to work the steering lock to lock whilst you have your head poking around the engine bay/wheel arches. Get 2 pieces of plastic to put under the tyres so you don't create a flat spot. Lid from a tub of roses or quality street for example. If you haven't got Jack's or axle stands it could help you figure out the issue. May only make the noise under weight too. Maybe get a bit of garden hose, about 1 metre of hose should do, put one end to your ear and point the other end at the part you want to listen to. When you find the clunk the hose will let you know.

20th October 2018, 17:33

Sounds like the spring shifting when you turn. I had the same issue on mine. Although I never really found a good solution to fix it because it still used to do it even after replacing top mount bearings.