I was just looking in the FSM about steering wheel play and it confused me . Alrite..i can shimmy the wheel back and forth probably about 20º total and when i do so it makes a 'dunk' sound in the engine bay. whats the problem this time

btw, its from all the ****** road work around here..that **** ***** UP UR CAR

btw...anyone have a pass side stock sway bar link they wanna let go for a S5? Front plz.

Jeff

 

well it can bee a couple of things it can be your steering rack or the knuckle.

 

The steering SHAFT might be bad. In your engine compartment, you will notice that rod is in two pieces. You will need to have someone help you SEE the play.

 

yeah, now its making a sort of ticking sound for the first 10mph after a stop near where the broken sway bar link is.

 

alrite..the tapping it makes when the engine is off and i move the wheel back and forth isnt the shaft. It sounds like it is hitting the inside of the fender wall on the drivers side wheel. It is coming from the bottom of the engine bay.

edit:

Got mom to move steering wheel back and forthe while looking at splines...The splines move with the shudders and it seems like its clicking on the wheels. Alignment needed? tightening?

 

haha im like solving this whole problem myself

The lower drivers side mount (where the shaft turns the hub) had a bolt on it loose enough for me to tighten by hand! ah! clunking is still there kinda but the play has gone down a bit.

 

Well if that solved your problem, good.

If not, there is a little rubber boot that covers a link in the steering arm. Undo the bolts holding that down, and trun the wheel. See if it is hitting the subframe there. If the arm came loose anywhere, it could cause enough slack to allow the arm to rub on the subframe, which cause a clinking noise.

If thats not it, crawl below the car and look at the tie rods. See if something is rubbing there, or if they are maybe loose.

Other than that, it could actually be something other than the steering rack. Perhaps when the wheels themselves move they are rubbing or hitting somewhere. Just a thought though.

 

which little rubber boot do you mean? One thats close to the column that connects the wheels, or on one leading down from the firewall?

edit: when my key is in ignition, it makes a zapping sound like a spark plug makes, checked plugs, its coming from around that area though

 

I mean the one right before where the steering arm enters the rack (if you have power steering, where the lines go in). It is the only one touching the subframe.

 

i'll check that out tomorrow in auto tech.