Power steering clunk

[Jezza_hr]

Hi guys, it's from one issue to another. Any input is mostly appreciated.

The issue I'm facing:

- Low level clunking sound heard/felt mostly at idle or low speeds from both sides of the car when steering
- Only heard when switching directions


Inspected so far:

- Tension rods
- Inner and outer tie rods (no play)
- Control arm ball joints (yet again, no play)
- Wheel bearings (all fine)
- ARB drop links are fine
- Lower steering U-Joint, appears to be no play, fully greased.

My only thought is that pre-load on the rack and pinion might need adjusting, but I need to get hold of a spanner big enough for the job to get at it.
Before I go down this route though, would anyone else have any other ideas on what could be causing the problem?

Thanks,
Jez

[allencr]

How much free play? How far does the steering wheel move before resistance?
moving the steering wheel back & forth, testing each part with your hand or listening with a piece of hose should show you where its coming from with a significant difference in feel or sound.

[Jezza_hr]

I couldn't tell you quite how far the steering wheel moves before resistance, as I haven't measured it, but I can tell it could be better. I've hand someone move the steering wheel ever so slightly while I felt around the U-joint and there was a slight knocking sound but it didn't appear or feel like the U-joint but something further down.

[Jezza_hr]

I've captured a video of the problem with the engine off so the sound is easier to hear. Any input is much appreciated.

[totta Crolla]

Sounds like a suspension coil spring is binding in a top mount or something like it.

[Jezza_hr]

A bit odd if so, as the sound seems to be quite low down across the rack, unless it's travelling through everything from the spring. I've also inspected the springs recently and nothing appeared to be out of place. I'll have a closer look at them anyway.

[jondee86]

I'd be with totta on this one, especially if you have
coilovers with spherical bearings at the top. That sound is
very much like the sound of a spring getting wound up, and
then slipping/spinning one end to release the tension.

Cheers... jondee86

[zenki]

(07-22-2014 11:35 PM)totta Crolla Wrote:  Sounds like a suspension coil spring is binding in a top mount or something like it.

(07-25-2014 04:43 AM)jondee86 Wrote:  I'd be with totta on this one, especially if you have
coilovers with spherical bearings at the top. That sound is
very much like the sound of a spring getting wound up, and
then slipping/spinning one end to release the tension.

Cheers... jondee86

It's probably this, my d2 coils make that sound. I took the wheels off and turned the steeringwheel and the springs made the same clunking sounds as in your vid.

[Jezza_hr]

In which case, I'm thinking the best option is to give the springs a good clean and some grease along with the top mounts to see if it helps the problem.

[Bean]

(07-27-2014 10:00 PM)Jezza_hr Wrote:  In which case, I'm thinking the best option is to give the springs a good clean and some grease along with the top mounts to see if it helps the problem.

If this turns out to be the problem, one permanent solution would be fitting top hats with a bearing. Something like this https://technotoytuning.com/toyota/ae86/...86-corolla