Rack and Pinion Valves - Intermittent Clicking ??

Hello All

Yet another issue with my TD4, well it's one that's well overdue to be sorted.

Something trivial / minor...I hope....:violin:

Bought the TD4, last April from last owner of 7 years. It had a slight 'clicking /clacking' - (engine running) when the steering wheel is turned - left / right at standstill....when driving...no noise !

The 'clicking / clacking' is intermittent and comes from 'just' below the base of the clamp at the bottom of the steering rack.

I was told that there are 'valves' in this area, bottom of rack, and sounds like they could be partially dry of fluid? - hence the clicking?

I've been advised it's not the pump as the steering is smooth and effortless, as power steering should be when the engine is running.

I've noticed on a warm / hot (when we get them) there is no noise whatsoever.

Tonight took of the steering fluid filler cap off, and having turned the wheel, noticed 'AIR' bubbles at the top of the chamber.

Checked all the unions, pipelines, no sign of any leaks anywhere.

Could the actual rack itself need changing, anyone else come across this?

I think the last owner had, had enough and I've put everything else that needed doing right on it.

This one is baffling, having taken it to various garages, to be told.....they haven't a clue :frown:

Any ideas?

Should I empty the steering system of fluid and put fresh fluid in?

Whats the best way to drain the steering system and bleed it?

Or should I take the 'gaiter' off and regrease?

Could the clicking be the 'teeth' are aligning as the rack moves left and right?


Thanks

tsam19 said:

HELLO

CAN ONE OF THE MODERATORS PLEASE DELETE THIS THREAD I WROTE EARLIER.
I HAVE NO INTEREST IN GETTING TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PROBLEM!!
TIME FOR A NEW CAR !!CHEERS, IT'S BEEN GREAT !! :violin:

Click to expand...

Even if you go to sell it , you might lose money because of the noise .

Have you checked the condition of the track rod ends and drop links ?
I have read that there can be problems with the steering rack .

Land Rover Zone - Search Results

Good luck with it any way . Please do let us know how you got on with either fixing or selling it .

Track rod ends and drop links all been checked over, all the garages I've taken it to have checked this and cannot pinpoint what it is that is making the noise!

There is 'air bubbles' in the steering fluid reservoir when the wheel is turned at standstill.

The steering is smooth at standstill or driving, the clicking doesn't appear when driving only at standstill.

I know the last owner put alloy wheels on the TD4 as opposed to, I presume the original steel wheels that come as standard.

I personally think there is 'air' trapped in the steering rack itself and the clicking is inside the rack where the main join point is for the steering column - around the point where the pipelines enter / leave the rack itself.

The colour of the steering fluid is 'dark red' and has little minute particle bits / grit in it - nothing major.

There are 'no' fluid leaks or ever have been, I've never had to top up the reservoir since owning the TD4 over the last 18 months.

I have found that there are '4' replaceable items in the steering pump pipeline system.

1) QGK100050L (x2) Banjo Copper Washers - (direct connect to steering pump)

2) UYX100060L (x1) 'O' ring in return pipe from rack

3) CDU2327L (x1) 'O' ring feed pipe to rack

The other pipelines going into the rack apparently 'flared' pipes, so when the locking nut is turned, the pipes / nuts seal automatically with no 'o' rings.

Another piece of advice I was given by landranger today was that the 'pump' itself; has behind the pulley wheel 2 seals, one seal to keep air from entering the pump and another seal behind that one to keep the oil from leaking out.

Possibly that 'air prevention seal' may be at fault ?

I intend to change the washers / 'o' rings as mentioned.

Then flush out / change the steering fluid for new, and monitor any change.

Yesterday I unlocked one of the return pipe nuts on the rack, in the vicinity of the clicking noise, let a little fluid come out, nipped backed up and today the clicking on left and right lock is 'quite inaudible' at standstill with the engine running.

It's a trivial issue.

As for changing the steering rack / steering pump.....I'm not at that point as I don't believe it's any of them.

Thanks

18 months of an annoying noise, well victory is mine !!

Sorted it, no changing of any parts, no new washers / 'O' rings or flushing the fluid out etc as discussed previously.

Probably the cause was down to ****ty workmanship by who ever fitted the new steering rack the TD4 has had before I bought the vehicle last Mar 2011!

Hopefully this may thread / post may help others out with similar concerns from unwanted steering rack / footwell noises, no-one can put their finger on.

Result: No clicking noises from the base of the steering rack / column on any attempt of the steering lock, partial or full in either direction. No air bubbles in the steering fluid reservoir.

The answers in the picture!

Thanks for all replies.

:5bhurray::5bhurray::5bhurray::5bhurray::5bhurray::5bhurray::5bhurray::5bhurray: