Steering groan? Help anyone?

[Gwill21]

Hi guys just wondering if anyone can help with a problem,
A while back I had my steering rack changed due to a knocking sound, there was also a groaning sound before it was changed, I had the rack changed for a new one and the steering was much better and no knocking, but I still have the groaning.
Seems to get worse when it's a hotter day and I'm sure it's mostly under slow turning, seems to steer fine otherwise, seeing some people say it could be top mounts? Or could it be a bearing going bad somewhere?
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[OEM+ DUB]

Hi there

The symptoms you describe, particularly as they are ambient temperature related, would indeed point to top mount bearings (top mounts have a rubber section and a separate bearing).

The noise is more of an annoyance than a major problem but if going to the trouble of changing, I personally would replace both.  I'm running S3 rubber top mount sections with new bearings (same bearing across the two) as the S3 rubber is a firmer compound.  I changed to these when I renewed my suspension.

Hope this helps.