Is This Steering Safe

[Nick4812]

Hi ... I replaced the tie rod eds and the tie rods (some call them rack ends) on my VR so there is no wear in any of those 4 ball joints ... but I still get a knocking sound if I rock the steering from left to right when the car is stationary and also sometimes when the car is being driven when pulling in and out of a parking spot or tight corner.
I think it must be wear in the rack and pinion or bushes related to it, there are no leaks and the power steering work fine.
As it is an older car that still drives and runs well I can live with the occasional knock while driving or parking ... BUT my question is ... Is this a safety issue, can and do worn rack pinions (or parts) cause steering failure or is it just a knock that has no safety issues.

Any help appreciated

Thanks ... Nick

[hako]

It sounds like the rack pad may need adjusting - this tends to keep the pinion in intimate contact with the rack to stop any slack. There has been some mention of performing this procedure on this forum so a search might help (I've never done this), and Gregorys does not seem to show how although it says: Rack Pad Adjustment....Tighten to 10 - 12 Nm then loosen 25 - 130degrees.
I'd do something about fixing it although I wouldn't say it is unsafe....just annoying....plus it will get worse, not better. Sorry I cannot be of more help.

[RX25SE]

Mine does it and has so for ages. Worn rack bush on the left.

Rack yoke adjustment is worth a go, or a reco rack.

[VK SL 3800]

Its not a huge deal, the odd knock is pretty std at its age, if it begins to knock every time you turn the wheel start to worry. Otherwise happy motoring.

[Nick4812]

Thanks for the advice every one

hako ... didn't you mean "loosen 25 - 30 degrees" not 130 degrees

[hako]

Thanks for the advice every one

hako ... didn't you mean "loosen 25 - 30 degrees" not 130 degrees

That's straight from the Gregorys manual - page 290. I agree that it seems more logical to be 30 deg, but the book says 130!

[jas98]

id be carefull when adjusting that bolt as i did it in me vs as stated and to specfications and i ended up haveing to get a new rack as the play a few hundred k's later was massive. also if you do it up too tight then the steering wheel wont go back in teh ceter while driveing and going round bends etc

id sugest getting a steering place to do it, although i think my rack may have been stuffed even before i did it but car only had 140 000 on it so yeh