Steering Rack Noise and Clunking Over Bumps. Help Appreciated. Thanks

[monk180]

Hi Folks,

On my golf there is a noise from the steering rack.

Best heard, when the engine is off, with key on position 1 so the steering lock is off.

When you "Quickly Waggle" the wheel left and right slightly, is feels there is free play and also a clunk when it feels the free play is take up in both directions. I guess it must be free play cause the power steering is off, and tyres cannot move when doing this.

Also a loud clunk from the front / suspension when going over bumps - not speed humps, but if the road patters, like pot hols / low sunken drain covers ect.


Your help would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[Degudodger]

Most likley the rack bushes (about £40 from VW) but could also be the dreaded inner track rod ends (like i had) needing a new rack.

[monk180]

Thanks for the reply.

It has had this issue before, it came back from a service fixed, then is started doing it again gradually getting worse.

That suggest something has worked itself loose?  Yes track rods end been done twice!

[monk180]

So what I meant is that it came back fixed without any new parts.

Then it started coming back, slowly worse.

So this tells me, something has worked loose rather than a part failing, if it was serviced and fixed with no parts replaced.

[doylebros]

Possibly they may of just sprayed certain areas with a lub spray which solved the issue short term?

[rosscoe63]

I've got the clunk from 'pattering' and its in for a check this weekend......will let you know how I get on

[marko]

Front subframe bolts loose??
There's a kit available if this is the case

[rosscoe63]

Front subframe bolts loose??
There's a kit available if this is the case

is this a common thing matey??

[marko]

The fact that a kit is available would suggest that..
Hasn't happened on mine but i replaced the bolts anyway