Hey guys has only started tonight REALLY BAD..
Ok so im parking the magna and i turn the steering wheel about 3/4 to full lock and all of a sudden the steering wheel starts to move (shake?) and all i can hear is this god aweful "clonk clonk clonk clonk" till i move the wheels back again..
Its realy freeking me out as i havnt got cash to fix it :( any ideas? and its not quiet either its LOUD and i also can hear a slight squealing noise like when u accidentally put it to full lock.. granted i have hit full lock a few times pretty hard due to the magnas ridiculous turning circle.. oil is toped up and is clean as... pleeease help "crys"

sounds like a steering rack is on its way out...

they generally arnt the cheapest to replace either (inc parts and labour..)

either that or the powersteering pump, but i would think its the rack itself

*groans* i hope its neither... it did it again today only more squeeling less clonking.. so maybe just MAYBE its only the belt needs tightening? priced a pump today 320 bucks... id hate to think of what the rack will cost... this is so ****ing murphys law, just got my car booked in on Monday for its service finally and now this happens.... :rant: :doubt:

could be your cv joints too. they only tend to make noise when the wheels are turned.

hmm, it all sounds really expensive XD , oh and btw this is when the car is not moving.. i also noticed that the pipe going from the P/S oil tank to the pump jerks, as if it pumps then stops for a split second and goes again.. its fairly quiet when its 1st started only squealing but after she's warmed up its horrid. i guess ill bit the bullet and take her to pedders tomorrow to get it looked at... tis my only transport to so it sux majourly.. ahwell thats the way the cookie crumbles i guess lol....

could be your cv joints too. they only tend to make noise when the wheels are turned.

i first thought that too, but it doesnt seem to sound like a cv joint being descibed.
iv also heard CV's cracking along when the car was travelling int he straight ahead direction, but it think thats a definate sign they are about to DIE...

does it make a difference how far the wheel is turned over, or what speed you are doing?


hitting full lock on the power steering generally ISNT good for the rack and pump - i was told to never have the car on full lock unless you want damage - so i flick the wheel over until i juuuuust feel it hit full lock then back off a tiny fraction

it doesn't seem to do anything untill about 3/4 to full lock, both ways, when traveling i feel a jerk (not violent) when i have to make a sharp turn ( round abouts driveways etc) but no real squealing. once car is stationary i turn it to almost full lock then " squeak squeak squeak clonk clonk clonk" makes me nervous to drive..

check your tie rod ends, ball joints and strut top bearings before you go changing pumps and racks.

The tie rod ends are on the end of the rods that come out eiter side of the rack. The ball joint is at the bottom of the steering knuckle, on the lower control arm.

Basically jack the front of the car up and support with axle stands, grab everything and give it a good shake and see if anything moves. Tie rod ends arent dear, bout $15 IIRC. Not sure about ball joints tho.

Let us know how you go!

Chris

Thanks guys :) will have a detailed look tomorrow.. i still need to drive it tho so i hope nothing goes horribly wrong... will let you know how it turns out :)

heya guys, well ive worked out it only does it when its cold, been driveing around all day and its not doing it at all atm.. made a lier of me when a mate of mine tried it and it worked perfect.. but did find a bubble in front left tire XD soo maybe the belt doesnt like the cold or something?

could be your cv joints too. they only tend to make noise when the wheels are turned.

i agree on this point, seems suspension etc. based. It's something that won't happen all the time too (as you described). Was happening in my Mum's car ended up being fixed for $350ish.

take it to a power steering specialist (usually same places rebuild CV joints) and they will be able to tell you what it is straight away.

from what i have read it sounds like your belt is just slipping and the clunk noice you are hearing is when the pump re-engages itself after the belt grips, or possibly a collapsed hi pressure hose.