Creaky steering rack

[MNJason]

I have a creak in my steering rack. I think. When I turn the wheel I get the creak (most of the time) and when I am slowing down I get it. Its not something I have heard on a car before.

I checked the PS fluid and its ok.

Any thoughts? I'll have it on a rack tonight so can look around.

 

[ViperJoe]

Rack and pinion assembly support/retaining clamps loose?

 

[MNJason]

Rack and pinion assembly support/retaining clamps loose?

How would I know / check ?

 

[2112]

Did you lower the car with T&A coilovers? The Heim joints can be pretty noisy on less than smooth roads.

 

[MNJason]

I do. Its actually when the car is in slow motion. Local Ford mechanic thinks its a lower ball joint.

 

[2112]

Local Ford mechanic thinks its a lower ball joint.

Mine is slow speeds too, but I am pretty confident it is the Heim joints. I hear it come up thru the steering column.

I might be wrong but I think the ball joints are not serviceable. Have to replace the entire control arm to service. :frown

 

[MNJason]

Mine is slow speeds too, but I am pretty confident it is the Heim joints. I hear it come up thru the steering column.

Exactly my situation. How do I replace the Heim joint?

 

[PL510*Jeff]

I do. Its actually when the car is in slow motion. Local Ford mechanic thinks its a lower ball joint.

Have your tech check the ball joint end links on the front sway bar. Use the remote listening device and drive over a few speed bumps to isolate where the sounds are coming from. Hope this helps.

 

[ViperJoe]

I might be wrong but I think the ball joints are not serviceable. Have to replace the entire control arm to service. :frown

The service manual does not show a procedure for replacing the ball joints (front or rear, upper or lower); only the control arms. One might assume, therefore, that the ball joints are not intended to be serviced separately. Someone on the forum with direct experience or knowledge, please chime in.

 

[Shadowman]

The service manual does not show a procedure for replacing the ball joints (front or rear, upper or lower); only the control arms. One might assume, therefore, that the ball joints are not intended to be serviced separately. Someone on the forum with direct experience or knowledge, please chime in.

They are serviced as an assembly however I would not be quick to replace the control arm

Takes care

Shadowman

 

[2112]

Exactly my situation. How do I replace the Heim joint?

As we have chatted about, this is normal for a Heim Joint. This is why OEM often will not use them for production cars.

 

[2112]

Before and after pics of Bill's T&A installation showing rubber grommet shock mount and the T&A Heim Joint mount (Top of the Shock).

I also sprung for the Shawdowman 2 piece inner fender liner to make future access easier, Thank you Bill:thumbsup

 

[MNJason]

Ford tech diagnosed today as the lower ball joint on my lower drivers A arm. A few questions:

1) Anyone else ever had this happen? At 7500 miles?
2) Any alternative to replacing the entire A arm? Certainly the ball joint has to get put into the A arm somehow!
3) Anyone know where I could locate a used billet A arm so it will match the rest of mine?

Thank you.

 

[2112]

Boy, If you have the Billet A-arms, I would definitely go to all lengths to repair it rather than replace it.

Hope someone knows.