Steering Rack

Agreed, however after changing the rack the knocking noise was back the day after. Let me guess the new rack lasted... 1 day :tongueout:
 
the "clonk" can also be the power assist motor as the steering column goes left and right and it makes a noise through the motors "gearbox"...i wounldnt say its fault! even new steering racks can make a "clonk" sound!!!
 
I can appreciate there will be slight play and a slight knock turning left to right but this is more pronounced and you can feel it through the wheel as though the rack is skipping.

Turn the steering wheel slightly apply tension then when released it is then there is a knock you can feel it more than you can hear it. Only at low speeds when parking or stationary.

I could put up with a knock its the vagueness of the stewing that's frustrating as the steering isn't sending much feedback on what the front end is doing. The steering also seem heavier one minute then lighter the next very strange.
 
.. the steering isn't sending much feedback on what the front end is doing. The steering also seem heavier one minute then lighter the next very strange.

Variable weight of the steering is exactly what I was experiencing before I got the rack replaced along with a strange feeling that the wheels are not fully connected to the steering.

After replacing the rack, these symptoms are gone but the steering feels a bit heavy overall, might just be the new part being stiffer, or just me being paranoid I don't know.

What I've got now is the knocking sound when steering left to right only when stationary, and a bit of pulling to the left which was present before replacing the rack. Not quite sure what's going on there since I have done alignment once after fitting the rack and once in the past before the rack failed without curing it.
 
Variable weight of the steering is exactly what I was experiencing before I got the rack replaced along with a strange feeling that the wheels are not fully connected to the steering.

After replacing the rack, these symptoms are gone but the steering feels a bit heavy overall, might just be the new part being stiffer, or just me being paranoid I don't know.

What I've got now is the knocking sound when steering left to right only when stationary, and a bit of pulling to the left which was present before replacing the rack. Not quite sure what's going on there since I have done alignment once after fitting the rack and once in the past before the rack failed without curing it.

are the track rod ends on the steering arms on the same amount ie the rack is central and same amount of thread on either side?

what was the tracking set to?
 
Variable weight of the steering is exactly what I was experiencing before I got the rack replaced along with a strange feeling that the wheels are not fully connected to the steering.

Spot on mate, hopefully it will be the rack get it replaced next week.

My steering currently feels quite light most of the time so if it is heavier and has more feel I won't mind.
 
are the track rod ends on the steering arms on the same amount ie the rack is central and same amount of thread on either side?

what was the tracking set to?


Well the specialist that fitted the rack has done the tracking also, unfortunately I didn't keep the values. I am not sure if they did any sort of check on the steering arms for centering the rack as you describe it.

In any case I am planning to get the steering checked once again by them due to the existing knock and I will also have it checked into a different specialist and redo alignment after that so hopefully in a couple of weeks time my issues will at least be identified/diagnosed...

@The Fonze: Good luck with the rack replacement, hopefully you'll get it sorted. I was really annoyed and disappointed with the way my car felt. At least now it is more solid than before. Once step at a time I guess..
 
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Whey another to add to the list of ****ed steering.

Ive just had my column and epas replaced, made no difference, waiting on them to approve the rack
 
Not been done yet mate, rack has been on back order from renault but is being fitted on monday so I will keep you updated. The garage I am getting the work done at is a renault specialist called diamond motors (east midlands).

He had not seen or heard of any issues before but said it was either the rack or the column and I decided to try the cheaper option first.
 
Im still waiting info as to whats happening with mine. All i know is they've enquired as to the availability of the rack. Fingers crossed.
 
As if this is still on going, ,mine went in on a Wednesday to get diagnosed only rang up on the Monday and took it in Thursday afternoon and had it back with a new rack on Friday afternoon
 
my knock was fixed within 45 mins but i'm guessing that
1. i took it to a decent dealer who knew what they were doing without asking a computer.
2. i caught it early.
 
Also, in my case the mechanic said he could not pinpoint the source of the problem but doesn't believe its the rack (in his words, "its too early for that").

This coming from the man who, back when I owned a Megane II and had similar clunking issues, replaced both rack & column with slightly used parts free of charge (I was out of warranty). In other words, I trust him.

But the clunking during parking maneuvers is driving me mad...
 
In that case tchalikias ill put money on it being the same as MentalPens problem

Its the clamp, by your feet, where the column meets the rack.

And too early? Some lad had his replaced at first service...12k!