Steering Rack

[Hacksawcats]

Anybody know a decent garage in the stockport/Manchester area, Just been told that my steering racks buggered and they want £500.0 + to put iot right!! Just need a seconf opinion. Thanks in advance

[ChrisM]

Whats up with it. There is not an awful lot that can go wrong with it, "buggered" covers a multitude of problems.

[Hacksawcats]

The steering columns making a loud clicking noise when I turn the wheel left/right not necessarily on full lock and not all the time. Anyone know if steering racks a prone to go on Meganes? I'ts only done 30K!!

Thanks in advance

[Gumby6371]

Not sure about the reliabilty of the rack as I'm a new owner myself but are you sure it's the rack and not a sticky top mount causing the spring to judder when turning?

[freelanderuk]

Have a check of both front springs to see if there is a snapped one , top mounts as mentioned, is this when the car is stood and you turn the wheel or when the car is in motion , if whilst moving it could be a CV joint

If the clicking is coming from the steering column and sounds as though its from the steering wheel ,it could be your clock spring,

[Stranger]

3 'old' threads that may be of some use:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6317&hilit=clicking+when+turning+steering

Last post: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6065&hilit=clicking+when+turning+steering

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5334&hilit=clicking+when+turning+steering

[Gumby6371]

Easiest way to diagnose a dodgy top mount is to watch the suspension leg while someone turns the steering (vehicle stationary of course).
The spring should turn smoothly with the leg, if it looks like the spring is twisting then jerking around chances are your top mount is shot.

It's a DIY job to change if you're confident with '''''SAFELY''''' using spring compressors, I did the same job on my 406.
If not you can save a few quid on labourb taking the complete leg off and taking it to a local friendly garage with a replacement mount, they don't usually charge much to swap the mount and they'll have a nice hydraulic compressor and it's a 5 minute job for them.

[Hacksawcats]

Many thanks for the replies. I'm not very good with mechanics! When you say "top mount" is this the engine mount? or suspension mount?

Thanks in advance..

[freelanderuk]

Suspension mount

[ChrisM]

Could also be steering rack mount bolts if any work has been done to the front end the rack can actually move out of position. I had a bottom arm done it resulted in clicking steering we have no idea why.
Remedy is not to tighten them even more as the internet tells you but to slacken them off turn steering lock to lock a couple of times then retighten the rack mount bolts all this does is resettle the rack on its lugs that what we did a clicking gone.
There is a weak spot on these racks itz passenger side and its a nylon bush not a alible from renault S they want u to buy a rack but can be fou d on a web search I think it is arou d 6 quid now but wasy to change cant remember the symptoms for that bush it might have been click related as I looked at it as a ppossibility. Top mounts as said are a good culprit but if u do it yourself beware cc springs are really hard to compress there iz a lot of pre tension on them I know I have changed mine.

[Hacksawcats]

Again, many thanks for the replies guy's I''l take a look over weekend and get back to you all, FYI: It only seems to click/crack when either standing still or at very low speed, ie: coming in and out of the drive. Cheers

[BobbyBlueBoots]

Have you considered the CV joints? I have a local garage in Chapel-en-le Frith that I use, they are not the best at completing jobs on time but are fair and friendly. Plus they stand by any quote, might be work getting a second opinion anyway?

Rob

[Hacksawcats]

We'll have several weeks of going round garages, I'm still none the wiser! Renault apparently couldn't here the clicking! One garage said it was the rack & suspension mount and another said it was just the rack! Just taken it another garage and guess what the clicking has stopped! So buggered if I know, I think I'll leave it until the MOT and see what turns up. Thanks for all the advise guys