Little help needed to diagnose a 'click', 'clac',... noise

[TeXfive]

OK, I've been waiting for an answer on another subject and asawadude advised to start a new one... here I am !

Here is what I already posted :

Bonjour Xfivers !

I've been looking for some problems causing 'play' in the steering element.
Can someone explain in litteral comprehensive english (or in french !) the quoted words ? Especially 'turning ion rocks'

I have had some clicking noise when steering... and after an oil change in the front diff, with unscrew/screw of the large alu plate, the click noise disppeared.
But with the engine stopped, if I turn the steering wheel, I can hear a noise...and from behind, I can feel it coming from the steering rack, especially on the left side tie rod.

Is that a known problem on a 2002 4.6is ?

After reading many threads dealing with 'cliking', 'clunking', or other similar sounds , I'm not 100% sure of what it could be...
With the plastic cover (under the steering rack) removed, and someone slightly shaking the steering wheel, the noise seems to come from the rack.
BUT, regarding the price of the steering gear (about $1,500 plus work), I'd prefer to have some more advices from you.

Notice that I have also a strong vibration when breaking @ high speeds (over 80 mph)

[TeXfive]

UP !

The vibration when braking is getting worse, and no real right diagnosis.
5 possible issues :
- brake rotors causing vibrations + clicking problem
- front arms bushings... not really convinced
- front bearing and drive flange... but no play when shaking the wheel with the front up
- tie rods... no play when pulling on it
- steering gear... low probability when reading posts here, and very expensive, but the noise seems to come from the box.

Any help or comments would be appreciated

The car has 35,000 miles, 2002 version, brake rotors never changed... and NO CPO : no bad tries allowed at the $tealer

[lo_jack]

If you are doing hard breaking from 80 with factory rotors it is probably time for them to go - have you measured the run out on them? I bet it's at least 1/16th of an inch or better. Those factory rotors are soft (part of the reason the brakes are good) and wear quickly.

I would lube everything up that is suspension related and check for the noise again, btw. Check the condition and level of the power steering fluid and look closely for leaks in that system.

[fast4d]

Originally Posted by TeXfive

With the plastic cover (under the steering rack) removed, and someone slightly shaking the steering wheel, the noise seems to come from the rack.
BUT, regarding the price of the steering gear (about $1,500 plus work), I'd prefer to have some more advices from you.

)

this is the tie rods. $100 in parts.

[george1202]

Originally Posted by TeXfive

OK, I've been waiting for an answer on another subject and asawadude advised to start a new one... here I am !

Here is what I already posted :


After reading many threads dealing with 'cliking', 'clunking', or other similar sounds , I'm not 100% sure of what it could be...
With the plastic cover (under the steering rack) removed, and someone slightly shaking the steering wheel, the noise seems to come from the rack.
BUT, regarding the price of the steering gear (about $1,500 plus work), I'd prefer to have some more advices from you.

Notice that I have also a strong vibration when breaking @ high speeds (over 80 mph)

I had a clicking and clunking sound simialr to yours, U joint and steering column was replaced under CPO warranty. Got the alignment and the noise is gone.

Vibration when braking at high speeds could either be dirty rotors or warped rotors. Have that checked. Replace rotors if necessary.