Steering rack knock - Saxperience

shooorn94 · 4th April 2010, 15:56

Came on yesterday.

Car has been lowered for around 1.5years with no issues with the rack, obviously other than the fact my steering is excessively stiff.

Checked over the usual, shafts etc and found the knock to be the steering rack.
It's from the rack and pinion when turning right (near the rubber gaiter). Transmits a slight vibration through the wheel. Now I'm not overly clued up on steering racks but obviously as it's a moving part it requires some lubrication, any chance that the oil/grease is no longer evident in the device and requires topping up? Or is it a new rack jobby?

Any advice would be great before I tackle the problem head on tomorrow.

rob_s · 4th April 2010, 15:58

im not to well up on them either but i know the gaiter can split if its an old one and yes they are lubricated but just with greece

if you do want a new rack im breaking a mk1 1.1 sx with one thats fine on there could probs get it posted to you aswell if you want it dont want alot for it

shooorn94 · 4th April 2010, 17:41

Cheers for that fella. I'll give you a heads up if I can't get a quick cheap fix.

It's definetly coming from the rubber gaiter area. Rack is approximately 11 years old so wouldn't surprise me if it's furbarred now.

rob_s · 4th April 2010, 17:59

no probs give me a pm im scrapping whats left of the car tuesday though mate

grumpypants · 4th April 2010, 20:49

Generally speaking, if there is a knock or noise from the steering rack then it will be too late for any remedial action other than the rack will be worn and either require replacing or require overhaul.

shooorn94 · 5th April 2010, 15:24

Righto definetly looks like it's new rack time. However I'm looking at grabbing just the steering gear and leaving the track rod ends attached (as the track rod ends + arms) aren't damaged, so I'd disconnect them from the rack and remove as appropriate. Seems feasible yet it may be a b*tch to access the track rod securing bolts (where they connect to the rack). Time will tell.

Cheers for the help so far.

shooorn94 · 5th April 2010, 16:37

Scratch that, the Track rod ends are connected to the steering rack via balljoints as opposed to bolts as shown in the haynes. God I love citroen.

RichVts89 · 19th March 2012, 23:28

*BUMP*
I know this is and old thread but what did u do in the end mate ?
Iv got the same problem, i can see one of the ball joints (driver side) is nackered as theres alot of play in it ! Iv read the haynes manual and i under stanf as far as taking out the steering gear assembly but then it doesnt give any further detail. What i was wondering is how it the steering gear (just the bit with the ball joint on) it fixed to the rack ? Is it possible ti remove it without taking the rack out ?

Any advice would be helpful

RichVts89 · 19th March 2012, 23:53

*BUMP*

shooorn94 · 20th March 2012, 22:17

The track rod ends fella? Yes you can easily replace them, no need to remove the entire rack. They screw into the end of the rack, get a new track rod end from a motor factor and it'll all come together from there if you're mechanically minded - be sure to do the tracking immediately after.

I replaced my entire rack; turned out the rack and steering wheel was actually loose after hitting a deep pothole.