Steering Rack and pinion

[GuSpeed]

So I think my steering rack and pinion is bad on my car because when I turn the wheel to the left or right, it makes this errrr... noise. When I pop the hood open and turn the wheel, I can hear the noise coming from the steering rack and pinion or the thing that connects to the steering rack and pinion to make it turn.

How much are steering rack and pinion and are remanufacture any good? Thanks!!

[jdm_master_X]

does this noise occur only when you go lock to lock or is it at anytime?

how about you try putting in more fluid and bleeding the system prior to condeming it as a bad R&P?

[GuSpeed]

That pix of whoever girl on your thing is HOT!

anywaays.. thanks. So bleed the power steering. So disconnect the hose coming from the rack and fill it up. I have to turn the wheel left and right 10-15 times. Am I correct on that?

Umm.. The noise does have expecially when backing up going over uneven bumpy road. It sounds as if it needs grease! I think when I turn it 3/4 of way it starts to sound like it needs grease. errrrrrrrrr...

man,.... i can hear it in my head!! ahhh!!

Thanks for the help! Anymore advice?? Thanks a bunch!!

[gabossie]

Have you tried just checking the fluid level in the reservoir? It could be due to your power steering pump going bad and leaking. I've had that problem before.

[GuSpeed]

the power steering fluid looks full. Could it be too much fluid?

[jdm_master_X]

raise up the front of your car and fill it with fluid. turn the wheel from lock to lock and have a friend watch the fluid level of the reservoir everytime it is in full lock. it should go down. when it stops going down, top it off. thats how you bleed it.

and the girl is kate beckinsale. she was so hot in click.

is your mounting bracket for your power steering bolted down tight?

[GuSpeed]

i don't get how that works? Where does the fluid go? Or is it just coming through the system because the trap air kept fluid at the top?

[jdm_master_X]

that olive colored reservoir on the exhaust side of the engine (pretty close to the intake pipe). if your RnP is not filled with fluid, your pump lacks lubrication and is building more pressure than it needs to. fill it up there, and if the fluid level drops, i suggest bleeding the car until the fluid stops dropping. that means lifting the front wheels, and turning the wheel 100% left and right for 2 second intervals.

[GuSpeed]

Thank you!. After listening carefully. The noise occcur when the wheel is almost lock on each side.

So I think it's the tie rod. Should I replace the inner and outer tie rod together? Bleed the power steering system and add new fluid?

Thanks for your help!

[jdm_master_X]

never consider replacement before identifying the real problem. replacing a tie rod wouldnt have made a difference anyway. identify first....REPLACE later. u dont want to be wasting your money with guesses.

BLEED IT FIRST. its going to make that noise when you go lock to lock because there is pressure buildup. all cars do that. BLEED IT FIRST BLEED IT FIRST!!!

[GuSpeed]

Ok. I will bleed the system.

Jack up the front end. Open the power steering resevoir cap. Start the car. Turn the steering wheel left 2 second, right 2 second, 10-15 times. Keep doing until the fluid goes down and top off.

This gets all the air out, thus causing the fluid level to drop and adding in more fills up the empty space that was once there.

Is this right?

Thanks a lot. I just want to make I know what I'm doing.

Thank you again!!

[skydragoness]

Have you replaced your strut mounts yet? No one has mentioned those. The strut mounts have a greased bearing that spins, and if corroded/or if the grease is gone on a original unit then it will groan/moan when turning the wheel.

When a rack goes back it usually causes uneven steering feel, i.e. it's easier to turn in one direction than the other. Or will pull to a certain side (when alignment is perfect)

When a p/s pump goes bad or is leaking (super common) there is a whirring/whining sound whenever the steering wheel is turned in low speed situations (and can cause a decrease in the p/s assist which requires more effort in low-speed maneuvers)

Anyhow. Take a look at your strut mounts first since that is the cheapest thing to look at and then go from there.

http://www.rockauto.com has the best prices for steering racks and p/s pumps around IMO. As for which ones to go with, go w/ ones that have a good warranty and a brand you've heard of and you should be allright.

Good luck and make sure to use Dexron rated ATF fluid if you do any bleeding.

[wankelTII]

bleed first, then everything else
Modified by wankelTII at 10:12 PM 11/9/2006

[GuSpeed]

wow lots of info thanks guys!! We should have sticky on power steering.

Anyways.. I'm going to bleed the system tomorrow. THis doesn't mean flushing with new fluid right? It just mean getting the air out?

Then if that does work I'll order two front new strut mount since they are like 50-70 each.

Thanks.

[GuSpeed]

okay so i bleed the system. I jacked the car up, turned the wheel left to right with 2 second interval between each side.

It looks like there was more fluid than need because fluid raised! Nothing went down.

I started the car and did the same thing again twice. The noise is still there. The noise occur when I turn the wheel and it almost lock on either side. Does this sound like it might be the tie rod?

Does worn out strut mount causes noise when you turn the wheel to complete lock on each side? You hear it as you turn the wheel near lock.

[skydragoness]

Yes, from what i can remember before I replaced mine it was when I had the wheel near full lock.

So the pump isn't whining/whirring when you do this?

[GuSpeed]

i don't think its the pump but it sound like a groan or moan when full lock on each side. It almost sounds as if it was the tie rod. But my steering feels normal.

[skydragoness]

I'd take it to an alignment tech and have them inspect the strut mounts and the tie rods on the alignment rack so they can turn the front wheels on those plates to try to replicate the sound...

Either way, strut mounts aren't expensive so i'd go ahead and take care of them unless your'e saving up for camber plates or something.

[GuSpeed]

beside the strut mount do i need to buy anything that guoes underneath that or just the strut mount?

[skydragoness]

*sigh* No. It's all one unit.

TireRack andPDM-Racing has them. You never mentioned if your 240sx was an s14 or S13, not sure if that will effect cost or not. Just shop around.Maybe even http://www.rockauto.com may have them.