Thoughts on steering rack or rod noise?

[nhudson1]

I know it’s hard to tell, cars booked in tomorrow to have it look at, but thought I’d ask here.

I can pull it at 9-3 but not at 12-6.

The knock seems to come from the gaitered area, tie rod ball joint?

https://youtube.com/shorts/SON0O7ltcZE?feature=sha...

https://youtube.com/shorts/7uogAEdabaM?feature=sha...

[E-bmw]

For me, you are pulling it too hard to tell.

You should be pulling/pushing just hard enough to feel the noise but not move the car.

Ideally, you need to feel the various joints to tell exactly where it is coming from.

You should also have the car supported properly, a jack can easily slip, especially when rocking the car.

[nhudson1]

E-bmw said:

For me, you are pulling it too hard to tell.

You should be pulling/pushing just hard enough to feel the noise but not move the car.

Ideally, you need to feel the various joints to tell exactly where it is coming from.

You should also have the car supported properly, a jack can easily slip, especially when rocking the car.

Thanks for the advice. I'm a complete novice, as you noted lol.
Its 100% from the steering rack area, I just couldn't tell if internal to the rack or the tie rod. I'm pretty sure its not the track rod end.

But as with all things... Google... gives so many different answers

[nhudson1]

So apparently, after 2 garages. It's "NORMAL"...? There's a certain amount of play and less with the engine running.

I cant get in to a Ford garage for weeks...!

[E-bmw]

Like I said, you were trying too hard.

[GreenV8S]

nhudson1 said:

It's "NORMAL"

So rest easy and get on with your life.