skinner2k3 3 Posted February 17, 2008 After my little accident involving bumping up a curb and clipping a lamp post I think I have a problem with my steering rack. With the front of the car jacked up I can no longer grab the hubs and turn them. With the track rod ends disconnected both struts will turn in their mounts with little (normal) resistance. But with the rack connected its almost impossible and the rack now makes a noise. But turning the steering wheel all appears fine and I have had no problems moving the car around the car park. What do you guys think, knackered rack? The tracking looked way out after the accident so it must have taken a smack! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pug_ham 244 3 Cars Posted February 18, 2008 With the front of the car jacked up I can no longer grab the hubs and turn them. Steering lock? With the track rod ends disconnected both struts will turn in their mounts with little (normal) resistance. But with the rack connected its almost impossible and the rack now makes a noise. But turning the steering wheel all appears fine and I have had no problems moving the car around the car park. What do you guys think, knackered rack? The tracking looked way out after the accident so it must have taken a smack! TBH I'd be surprised if it is the internal of the rack that are bust but that can't be completely discounted until you find what it takes to fix it. I'd have expected the track rods to bend long before the rack internal gearing broke but I suppose if it was hit at just the right (wrong) angle it is a possibility. A replacement refurbished rack is about £60 so tbh if there is nothing obviously wrong maybe fitting a new one will be the best path. Graham. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GLPoomobile 958 Posted February 18, 2008 MY first GTI failed it's first MOT on a bent rack. The garage who diagnosed I would trust not to try and f*** me over (long time friend of my Dad), so I believe it was a damaged rack and not a bent track rod. That doesn't help the diagnosis, but I'm just saying that a good smack into a kerb could damage the rack as well as the track rod. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skinner2k3 3 Posted February 18, 2008 It doesnt have a steering lock so its not that, plus it will move....just takes a shed load of effort. I agree and would have thought TREs and TRs would fail first but they are all straight. Its a strange one because there doesnt seem to be a problem from inside the car, but there is obviously something wrong. Is it possible to strip these down? I might just take it off and see if anything is obviously wrong once apart on a bench. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alan_M 66 1 Cars Posted February 18, 2008 It doesnt have a steering lock so its not that, plus it will move....just takes a shed load of effort. I agree and would have thought TREs and TRs would fail first but they are all straight. Its a strange one because there doesnt seem to be a problem from inside the car, but there is obviously something wrong. Is it possible to strip these down? I might just take it off and see if anything is obviously wrong once apart on a bench. Strip a rack down? Yes, it is possible. You'll need to remove the TRE's and TR's from the rack itself first. Then remove rubber cap and circlip holding in pinion. Next, remove the little plate with 2 13mm bolts on it, remember which way round the spring, washers etc go though. This releases the tension on the rack. Remove the circlip on the end of the rack body. Easy-peasy! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anthony 1,003 Posted February 18, 2008 TBH I'd be surprised if it is the internal of the rack that are bust but that can't be completely discounted until you find what it takes to fix it. I've seen a steering rack literally snapped in two ( ) before now after someone hit one of the curbs at the 'Ring somewhat "enthusiastically", and hence I'd assume it's perfectly possible to damage one internally enough that it's difficult to turn if you hit a curb hard enough. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skinner2k3 3 Posted February 19, 2008 Well assuming its broken I have started looking for a replacement. I have my eye on one at the local breakers with a manual rack. Might grab the subframe as well to be sure I havent twisted that. Out of interest I will also strip down the old one, see if there is anything obvious. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
V8Pete 0 Posted March 24, 2008 I've seen one where one of the lugs where the rack bolts to the subframe had snapped off after clipping a bollard at near full lock. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
