"Clicking" while turning the wheel to the left

Drummerboy08

Right, my Mk1 Focus has developed a nasty irritating problem in the steering.

If the wheel is turned a shade left from straight on, it feels like there is a "notch" in the rack. At idle, a clicking noise can be heard when this happens, however this is slight.

Now, the guy who I normally get to do all my work (Ford technician), reckons its the rack. Another guy who I deal through in work reckons it would be a dodgy steering pump. Someone else thinks its simply worn components such as track rod ends, or CV joints etc. I've taken a look at the track rod ends, and CV joints, and had a good root around that area in general, everything seems solid. So I'm writing that option off.

Anyone care to shed some light on it? Its doing my head in.

BrianD3

Well I had similar symptoms with a Renault although I'd describe it more as a "boing" than a "click". Turned out to be the shock top mount. Get someone to turn the wheel while you look at the struts, you may see a spring moving.

PS the car had already passed a NCT in that state and been to a couple of different garages who could find nothing wrong.

Mr Benevolent

From another forum