Steering knock/creak

[Peter.N.]

Very difficult to say without hearing it. If its the rack, that is by no means an easy job. It could be a steering ball joint or even a suspension ball joint, you really need to let someone with experience to listen to it. You'r not anywhere near Dorset are you?

[Toby_HDi]

Ok, thanks

Yes I am. Sat right on the Hampshire/Dorset border.

[MikeT]

If it's any help diagnosing this; Toby invited me to try it while the engine was running, I felt a sort of slight resistance, a gritty, pulsing feeling through the steering wheel at a very acute point when turning the steering back from left lock, just before the wheels came dead ahead. I couldn't hear anything from the top of the engine.

[Peter.N.]

Ah, thanks Mike. Pulsing is normally a sign that the pump/accumulator is not supplying enough fluid, but the fact that its only doing it in one spot could mean the the ram is allowing fluid past at that point.

Toby

I am at the other end of Dorset, Devon border, but if you fancy bringing it down I will have a look.

[Toby_HDi]

Thanks for the offer Peter, I may take you up on that, pm to follow shortly

Just an update, its now occuring around the same position when turning the wheel left though not nearly as bad as when turned to the right. Doesn't sound too healthy anyway

[Deanxm]

Hi Toby

I had the same thing with my rack on the xm, along with clunking if ii vigerously wiggled the steering, i put a new rack in and all is now well but the creaking was very old hard and spliting handbrake cables rubbing in the guides 8) , would mainly do it turning right because that was the longer cable with more guides to creak in as it was pushed in by the movement of the wheels.
Dont think a rack could be dry enough to creak, alternativly it could be the uj at the bottom of the column just above the pinion getting dry joints

Hope its cheap

D

[AbangCorp]

when i swapped an engine,

they ran the engine, but suddenly my steering wheel is heavy
so, what they did is to put some sealant above round cylinder above
lhm reservior / filter housing / above it

but i still have it now, because permanent remedy is to change it - the filter housing. what do you think?[/quote]

[Peter.N.]

First thing to check is the tightness of the hydraulic pump drive belt, next check the hose that goes from the reservoir to the pump, they very often crack on the bend where they fit on the pump.