Knock/Play in Steering

[dawg]

G'day, just tryin to pin point the cause of my steering faults, bit shady in this area so i dont really know where to start looking.

When the cars stationary, i quickly turn the steering wheel left, right and it knocks from down the end of the column, seems to have a bit of play. And the other thing is, when i go over bumps and onto driveways when the wheels hit the bump you can really feel the hit through the steering wheel as it jerks it say 5mm around when it hits. Also when im driving at any speed eg say over 60, when going through rough patches on the road, the steering wheel/column vibrates and bounces up an down, makes my keys jingle/rattle heaps. Ive also just replaced the strut tops, bearings, springs and bushes. New shocks are on the way this wkend.

It would be great if anyone could help me out and let me know whats shagged and needs replacing.

Thanks,
Dan.

[greenacc]

so you already replaced the Zbar and control arm bushes ?

[jas98]

make sure the rack bolts are tight as on me VS i was getting some nice clunks bangs when turning wheel and driving over bumps.....drove me crazy and felt bad

[faroogoo]

When i got my rack replaced on my old VS,they told me it still has some play in it because the "knuckle joint" what he called it,was worn,he said it joins the steering shaft to the rack joint or something & was about $80 or $90 to buy.But because they had to order the part from melbourne & i was selling the car i didnt worry about it.

But i would defenitely replace it if your planning on keeping your car.

[Zuicider]

hehe i still get that knock and my rack is new

[dawg]

Yeah i didnt replace with Z bars though, just replaced the rubbers on the standard pin links. I think i did all but the control arms ill have a check this afternoon. Are the front control arms expensive like the rears?

[hako]

I'd be checking my tierods and rack ends - jack up one front wheel and try to move the tyre side to side - there should be virtually no side play. If you get a clunk clunk noise or detect movement when moving the wheel then try to ascertain if the movement is coming fronm the tierod or the rackend (which is inside the rubber bellows/boot).

[evo33]

I have the same problem as dawg explained in his 1st post. I have replaced my front struts (complete kit), have replaced tails-shaft, have replaced power steering high pressure hose and still didn't solve the problem $1,500 later. My rack was under warranty and the faulty rack was leaking. Got a replacement rack and that's when the noise began. 5 mechanics couldn't diagnose the fault after been told a whole bunch of crap to replace other parts which didn't fix the fault. After finally getting around to getting another replacement rack from Australian Power Steering the fault stopped.
BUT!!!
I moved states, traveled 2,000kms and guess what? the clunking noise has began. The problem is that I get a clunk noise coming from the front and can feel it in the steering wheel and the floor of the car when I drive slowly over bumps and go up or down driveways. I have discovered that my power steering fluid in the reservoir tank is actually leaking out from the top. It's as if there the power steering fluid is not going through the power steering rack now as originally it was the right amount in the reservoir tank but now its close to the top of the lid and seems way way to much?

Does anyone know what the problem could be why I am getting these clunks of sound and the power steering fluid spilling out of the reservoir tank?