just recently i have notice a bit of play in the steering wheel, you can move it side to side about an inch before the wheels move , also noticed a cracking sound ? when turning right , is the steering rack on it`s way out or could it be something else thanks jay.

 

It could be your ball joints between the hub.

I'd check those first.

 

how would i go about checking these out many thanks jay

 

Had the same issue on my CLASSIC wagon a few weeks ago. Ended up being the steering knuckle locking bolts ( thats what I named them anyways )

these can found by jacking the car up and where the steering column comes through the firewall there is a "knuckle joint" with 2 bolts , tighten these

 

cheers will try that tomorrow ,thanks jay

 

I had a post up about this on my bug eye, .... little bitta play and a nasty knocking sound over bumpes and steering. (its now alot worse in like 2 days)

My rack was knocking but at the RACK side of the track rod NOT the hub side with the ball joints.


Get somebody to waggle the steering wheel and just place your hand on the track rod end, hold it and feel for the knock, i couldnt feel it at the ball joint but i could closer to the steering column.

 

thanks will try when i jacked up the car .
what did you have to do to yours to get it sorted .

 

I havent yet, and its getting worse daily........ im probably just going to put a new rack in,..... well a 2nd hand rack. Their dirt cheap and worth a pop in my opinion.

FUN BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND! (when you realise youve got no PAS fluid and everywheres shut lol)

 

lol ,let me know how you get on and if it cures your problems,

 

tried this and don`t seem to have any visible difference . anybody have any more solutions i could try , thanks jay

 

Obviously the problem is else where, I would throw a pair of track rods and track rods ends in

 

Drop links? check those,

Just jack it up... just smoothly slide in underneath (your car!) and waggle and shake stuff... the knocking will soon become apparent if its bad.....because she will scream and start punching you, ( you rude man! stay on the subject)

(dont shake too hard cus the car will come off the jacks)

If nothing massively wrong is found then I fear your original diagnosis mistaken and the knocking noise is just the remains of the several small children that your air intake sucked up, passing through the bowels of the engine.

 

lol thanks

 

where would be the best place to get some track rod end from ,think that im will be changing these over to see if that cures my problems , and are these easy to do many thanks jay.

 

Ebay or Dealer.... but dealers prices suck

 

cheers will have a look later thanks jay