Member Since: 22 Sep 2014
Location: Hereford
Posts: 2284
Diagnosing a faulty steering rack?
Just wondering if any of you knowledgeable people on here know how I test to see if my steering rack is up the shoot?
My steering is very loose feeling and to drive in a straight line I have to constantly make adjustments to the steering wheel. I also notice a knocking through the steering wheel when off road. The overall handling feels a bit boat like and wishy washy! I've got a bit used to it but when the missus drove it home Sunday she said it felt awful!
I have replaced the lower steering universal joint so I can rule that out, tyres are fine, pressures are good and 4 wheel alignment was done a couple of months ago.
8th Oct 2015 9:14 am
Allan_T
Member Since: 10 Sep 2012
Location: Northampton
Posts: 1034
Have the inner track rod control arms been replaced? They attach to either end of the steering rack and have a ball joint that can wear, it's hidden beneath the inner gaiter. Raise each wheel off the ground and check for play.GAP IID Pro Multi Vehicle Defender L316 2007-2015 - Discovery 3 - Discovery 4 - Discovery Sport L550 - Freelander 2 - Range Rover Evoque L538 - Range Rover L322 - Range Rover L405 - Range Rover Sport L320 - Range Rover Sport L494 Electrical Fault Diagnostics
8th Oct 2015 9:23 am
ekkypoo
Member Since: 24 Sep 2009
Location: Guisborough
Posts: 185
That's exactly the issue I have. Going in to a mechanic tomorrow just to check it's that so I can go armed with a bit of info.
Cheers
Andy
8th Oct 2015 10:05 am
Iceman08
Member Since: 22 Sep 2014
Location: Hereford
Posts: 2284
Thanks Allan, I will have a quick look if I get a chance but another forum member who knows what they are looking for has offered to look at it for me.
8th Oct 2015 3:26 pm
aman
Member Since: 09 Feb 2014
Location: London
Posts: 285
I have exactly the same issue!
The "play"/vagueness when driving
The clunking through the steering wheel when going over a bumpy road
I also found that if the car is parked with the engine off - if you move the steering wheel anticlockwise/clockwise again and again (quite hard) - you can make the clunking noise appear through the steering wheel like this as well
It seems there is almost 10mm of rotary movement of the steering wheel (measured from the outside of the steering wheel) that does not do anything to the wheels...
Did you manage to find a solution?
Last edited by aman on 26th Oct 2015 4:23 pm. Edited 3 times in total
26th Oct 2015 4:14 pm
aman
Member Since: 09 Feb 2014
Location: London
Posts: 285
Just wondering if any of you knowledgeable people on here know how I test to see if my steering rack is up the shoot?
My steering is very loose feeling and to drive in a straight line I have to constantly make adjustments to the steering wheel. I also notice a knocking through the steering wheel when off road. The overall handling feels a bit boat like and wishy washy! I've got a bit used to it but when the missus drove it home Sunday she said it felt awful!
I have replaced the lower steering universal joint so I can rule that out, tyres are fine, pressures are good and 4 wheel alignment was done a couple of months ago.
26th Oct 2015 4:17 pm
aman
Member Since: 09 Feb 2014
Location: London
Posts: 285
Just wondering if any of you knowledgeable people on here know how I test to see if my steering rack is up the shoot?
My steering is very loose feeling and to drive in a straight line I have to constantly make adjustments to the steering wheel. I also notice a knocking through the steering wheel when off road. The overall handling feels a bit boat like and wishy washy! I've got a bit used to it but when the missus drove it home Sunday she said it felt awful!
I have replaced the lower steering universal joint so I can rule that out, tyres are fine, pressures are good and 4 wheel alignment was done a couple of months ago.
That was the part I replaced, it definitely helped but wasn't the cure unfortunately! Another forum member is going to take a look at it for me, as soon as I have a verdict i'll update this thread with our findings
26th Oct 2015 8:49 pm
aman
Member Since: 09 Feb 2014
Location: London
Posts: 285
That would be great
Its the weight of these obese cars...
They slowly destroy themselves lol
26th Oct 2015 8:55 pm
aman
Member Since: 09 Feb 2014
Location: London
Posts: 285
Re: Diagnosing a faulty steering rack?
I heard that there is also another (rubber) joint on the steering column - in the passenger side of the compartment - this is what I have been told anyway... you may as well look at replacing that if you want to make sure everything is good
I haven't seen this part myself - it is just what I was told by a mechanic...
Just wondering if any of you knowledgeable people on here know how I test to see if my steering rack is up the shoot?
My steering is very loose feeling and to drive in a straight line I have to constantly make adjustments to the steering wheel. I also notice a knocking through the steering wheel when off road. The overall handling feels a bit boat like and wishy washy! I've got a bit used to it but when the missus drove it home Sunday she said it felt awful!
I have replaced the lower steering universal joint so I can rule that out, tyres are fine, pressures are good and 4 wheel alignment was done a couple of months ago.
That was the part I replaced, it definitely helped but wasn't the cure unfortunately! Another forum member is going to take a look at it for me, as soon as I have a verdict i'll update this thread with our findings
26th Oct 2015 9:01 pm
aman
Member Since: 09 Feb 2014
Location: London
Posts: 285
Member Since: 24 Apr 2013
Location: All over
Posts: 130
Another sufferer here too so keen to hear your outcome. I've got one track rod end to replace and one tie rod to replace then its had everything except air bags and steering rack so my money is on the rack! Unfortunately thats alot of my money Current: D3 TDV6 S; GGAT's, DIY 7inch Tablet mount, DIY Reversing Camera, Stage 1 remap, EGR delete
Previous: Freelander TD4, D2 V8, D1 TDI, Series 3 Petrol plus Numerous performance cars!
29th Oct 2015 5:46 pm
aman
Member Since: 09 Feb 2014
Location: London
Posts: 285
Just wondering if any of you knowledgeable people on here know how I test to see if my steering rack is up the shoot?
My steering is very loose feeling and to drive in a straight line I have to constantly make adjustments to the steering wheel. I also notice a knocking through the steering wheel when off road. The overall handling feels a bit boat like and wishy washy! I've got a bit used to it but when the missus drove it home Sunday she said it felt awful!
I have replaced the lower steering universal joint so I can rule that out, tyres are fine, pressures are good and 4 wheel alignment was done a couple of months ago.
That was the part I replaced, it definitely helped but wasn't the cure unfortunately! Another forum member is going to take a look at it for me, as soon as I have a verdict i'll update this thread with our findings
23rd Jan 2017 10:12 pm
Iceman08
Member Since: 22 Sep 2014
Location: Hereford
Posts: 2284
A bit late I know
I have since gone on to change my steering rack for a reconditioned one and tie rods and have replaced the two front wheel bearings followed by another 4 wheel alignment. It definitely feels better than it did but to me it still feels sloppy!
At some point I plan on changing all my suspension air bags, and I hope that will improve it even more.
Maybe I'm expecting it to handle better than it ever will, the only way I'll know that is if I drive somebody else's for a comparison!!
9th Feb 2017 9:27 pm
Mikeyb
Member Since: 08 Nov 2016
Location: Maldon, Essex
Posts: 515
Thread ressurection!
Did you every get to the bottom of this Iceman?
I have similar symptoms, have changed the steering arms and track frod ends and have checked but can see no play in the lower column.
So the main suspect now is the rack but looking at the price I would be most disappointed to spend the money to find no improvement!
How easy was it to change by the way?Not such a Disco Newbie now!
IID BT
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