C4 Picasso (B78) 2014 Steering Rack loose?

[danlat1415]

I'm currently diagnosing a click/knock noise from my steering rack/column.
I get a knocking noise which can be felt in the Steering wheel whilst driving, and when stopping/starting (can roll car forward and stop and hear/feel the knock)

All suspension parts have been replaced (full struts/springs, drop links and ball joints.
- Not replaced inner or outer tie rods

The knock seems to be from the steering rack itself

Whilst testing various things, I checked my steering wheel column which is all secure in place with the retaining screws, nothing is loose;
However, when I grab the steering column at the bottom end where it goes through the floor behind the pedals - there is very slight movement (about 1mm) in the lower end of the column itself that goes through the rubber floor section, like the movement is on the underside - it gives an audible 'knock' when I push/pull left to right. There is no movement up/down.

Because steering moves and the floor section is rubber, I don't know if this very slight movement is normal or not.


If I grab the lower steering column behind the foot pedals, just above the knuckle (the long straight pole section).

If I grab it by hand and try hard to jiggle it from side to side to see if anything is loose or knocking, the lower section that goes through the rubber floor section moves left to right very very slightly, about 1mm and you can hear a slight knock noise.
It doesn't pull up/down (in and out of the rubber section), but it does move sideways very very slightly.

Everything seems solid in the steering column, with no joint movements, only the the bottom section that goes through the rubber floor.

Because the floor is rubber, and there are lots of joints, I don't know if the very slight movement is perfectly normal, or if it's a sign of wear and tear.


I have tested it in a different car (Nissan Juke), but it's completely different floorplan and steering column and the other car's column was rock solid.
So I wanted to check with someone with the same car to see if it's just mine and a symptom of an issue, or if it's completely normal for the vehicle.


Are there any rubber bushings on the steering rack itself? And is it just held in place by 2 bolts underneath?

I'm hoping something is just loose or a worn bushing - and not a full rack replace.



VIN - VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]

I've tried to record it, by grabbing the steering column and moving it from side to side (no movement up or down).
The video isn't the best - but you can see the slight movement of the steering rack/column where it goes through the rubber floor grommet.

[seefourpio]

Hi danlat1415,

Have you had any luck with this?

I've been struggling to resolve a similar problem since purchasing a 65 plate (18k miles) C4 GP (B78) in the Spring.

My current thinking (which could be completely wrong) is that the subframe has a lot of movement and/or flex in it - and this is maybe causing the steering column (or something else attached to the subframe) to knock against the bulkhead or something else. All rather vague I know.

In my case, I had the front subframe extension arms replaced (as one was clearly loose and knocking) which improved the problem but did not solve it completely. Then the (rear) subframe bushes were also replaced and this fixed it completely for a few months - before the problem then slowly started to return.



The knocking got quite pronounced again recently and, grabbing at straws, I "exercised" the steering height adjustment (up and down several times) to see if this had any impact and, surprisingly, it seems to have reduced the knocking by a very significant amount. I don't really know why this would be but wondered if it very slightly affected the angle with which the steering column passes through the bulkhead????

However, I’ve returned the steering height to my usual setting and the knocking has remained much improved. Not completely gone, but much better – for the moment at least.

Do you find that the knocking is worse when steering slightly, rather than when dead ahead?

[poulsenj]

I have had similar click/knock noise from the steering rack/column. I also replaced a lot of suspension parts until I found the culprit: Excessive play in the pinion. In the video you can see the amount of play when I move the steering column sideways by hand.



Citroën offers no spare parts for the steering rack, and it would also require special tools to replace the parts. In August 2023 it was impossible to buy refurbished steering racks that would cost app. 600 EUR as there was a lack of returned defect steering racks for refurbishment. A Citroën dealer made an offer for a new steering rack at the cost of 2350 EUR, replacement 450 EUR, wheel alignment 120 EUR.
I located a used steering rack from a 2017 Spacetourer in Portugal for 290 EUR incl. shipping to Denmark, mounted it myself, had the wheels aligned, problem fixed.

[Mattmate88]

To reserect an old thread. How hard is a steering rack change? Whats involved? Thanks

I have had similar click/knock noise from the steering rack/column. I also replaced a lot of suspension parts until I found the culprit: Excessive play in the pinion. In the video you can see the amount of play when I move the steering column sideways by hand.



Citroën offers no spare parts for the steering rack, and it would also require special tools to replace the parts. In August 2023 it was impossible to buy refurbished steering racks that would cost app. 600 EUR as there was a lack of returned defect steering racks for refurbishment. A Citroën dealer made an offer for a new steering rack at the cost of 2350 EUR, replacement 450 EUR, wheel alignment 120 EUR.
I located a used steering rack from a 2017 Spacetourer in Portugal for 290 EUR incl. shipping to Denmark, mounted it myself, had the wheels aligned, problem fixed.

[geri138]

Hi guys may I anyone ask is it possible to fix this type of prob with the change of that part below?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/356797907865

Thanks for the answers...