Slight Knocking in steering

[edals]

Hey Everyone.

I can feel a very slight knocking in the steering going over bumps, its feel like the steering column is slightly loose. Anything i can tighten to do i have to replace major stuff? the mrs does not notice but i notice these small things.

Any help would be great

[Thomas1]

I have a similar issue at the moment. My steering feels 'loose and clunky'. Really need to get it looked at cause it's starting to feel dangerous!!! So I'm interested in what people have to say.....

[edals]

I have a similar issue at the moment. My steering feels 'loose and clunky'. Really need to get it looked at cause it's starting to feel dangerous!!! So I'm interested in what people have to say.....

Its not dangerous, Its just ever so slight when you very lightly hold the steering.

[hako]

Probably tierod ends or rack ends with slight wear....otherwise it could just about be any of the dozen or so rubber bushes. The only sure method is to jack up each wheel and try and shake the living daylights out of it....another method is to drive the car on ramps and then you slide under the front whilst someone else wobbles the steering left and right with the engine running so that most bushes are put under strain....just look for movement....and wear safety glasses too!

[edals]

Well After looking around i cant seem to find anything thats real bad that i can tell. all the suspension and other bits was replaced a year or so back. Holden Told me a need a Power steering gasket. I can see it is leaking? This part here

By edals30 at 2010-01-08

So this power steering gasket, what are they referring to? easy to replace? Not sure what you call this part :-? I see a few drops around the pipes but theres never any on the drive way so it must be leaking ever so slightly and they just want to charge me more money that i dont have.

[hako]

If it's only a tiny leak I wouldn't worry about it - I'd wait till it gets worse (if at all).
They are only "O" rings.
By the way, I cannot see how this slight leak would cause the knock you describe.

[edals]

If it's only a tiny leak I wouldn't worry about it - I'd wait till it gets worse (if at all).
They are only "O" rings.
By the way, I cannot see how this slight leak would cause the knock you describe.

Yeah i know it would not cause the problem. Just to note, With it, its like it feels very very slightly loose, if you push the steering firmly (not to much weight) down while driving the slightly vibrating knocking goes away, its just if you have no weight on the steering wheel. Also while looking under the dash, i can see the steering column move up down witch ever way i push it. Im thinking its just the column, hard to repair?

[hako]

There is an intermediate shaft just before the steering rack that has 2 cardin joints that can wear but usually only on high mileage vehicles - the upper steering shaft has 2 bearings that can wear but again it's only usual with high mileage vehicles. I'd have a look at another VS and see if it has the same 'problem'....
If all the suspension bits were replaced a year ago then in theory it should be perfect.
But back to your original fault....the slight knocking....I'd be inclined to check the rack ends and tierod ends as when slightly worn with maybe 1mm of wear you can get that slight knocking/rattle when going over small bumps. Could also be the shocks but as in all things to do with cars, it's a process of elimination. Good Luck.

[edals]

There is an intermediate shaft just before the steering rack that has 2 cardin joints that can wear but usually only on high mileage vehicles - the upper steering shaft has 2 bearings that can wear but again it's only usual with high mileage vehicles. I'd have a look at another VS and see if it has the same 'problem'....
If all the suspension bits were replaced a year ago then in theory it should be perfect.
But back to your original fault....the slight knocking....I'd be inclined to check the rack ends and tierod ends as when slightly worn with maybe 1mm of wear you can get that slight knocking/rattle when going over small bumps. Could also be the shocks but as in all things to do with cars, it's a process of elimination. Good Luck.

Well it still steers perfectly, i cannot afford to spend money till i find the problem, if it gets worse ill go to holden or something. car only has just reached 200k on it. everything else is top on it.