Steering Rack Failure - symptoms ??

DriveSkill

Hi,

I know this is a very broad question but can anyone tell me what the symptoms would be of a steering rack failure? I have a 'creaking' noise coming from around the driver's footwell area. I've had the car in for a service and they've diagnosed steering rack failure (with a cost to repair of close to €800!) does that sound plausible ? I'm not 100% convinced to be honest. My concern is I replace the steering rack and the creaking continues!

The creaking occurs whether or not the steering wheel is being turned and is more apparent at slow speed (10-30km/hr, 2nd gear) with a lot of stop/start type driving - now at higher speeds you have more road noise to that could be masking it.

The car is question is a 2008 Opel Corsa with 26K on it. Its fitted with Dual Controls so I'm thinking it could be something in that mechanism that is creaking but not sure. Going to bring it back to the guys to fitted the controls and ask them to have a look first.

Any suggestions to isolate ? If it really is the steering rack should I notice something in the steering ?

Thanks,
Declan.

patrickc

DriveSkill wrote: »

Hi,

I know this is a very broad question but can anyone tell me what the symptoms would be of a steering rack failure? I have a 'creaking' noise coming from around the driver's footwell area. I've had the car in for a service and they've diagnosed steering rack failure (with a cost to repair of close to €800!) does that sound plausible ? I'm not 100% convinced to be honest. My concern is I replace the steering rack and the creaking continues!

The creaking occurs whether or not the steering wheel is being turned and is more apparent at slow speed (10-30km/hr, 2nd gear) with a lot of stop/start type driving - now at higher speeds you have more road noise to that could be masking it.

The car is question is a 2008 Opel Corsa with 26K on it. Its fitted with Dual Controls so I'm thinking it could be something in that mechanism that is creaking but not sure. Going to bring it back to the guys to fitted the controls and ask them to have a look first.

Any suggestions to isolate ? If it really is the steering rack should I notice something in the steering ?

Thanks,
Declan.

regardless of what the fault is, why should you have to pay for it? if's 2 yr old car its under warranty still, leave it in and let them fix it.

if its the steering rack there would be an almighty pull on the steering AFAIK.

DriveSkill

patrickc wrote: »

regardless of what the fault is, why should you have to pay for it? if's 2 yr old car its under warranty still, leave it in and let them fix it.

if its the steering rack there would be an almighty pull on the steering AFAIK.

Unfortunately out of warrantly since January! Garage have asked for a 'goodwill' guesture from Opel but didnt seem too confident - still waiting on a response. Obviously if they are willing to cover it I will let them at it

No pull from the steering wheel!

crosstownk

The steering rack is not affected by any dual control modification. It may be possible that the creak is a result of unintentional contact between the dual control mods and the steering column and if it is it's probably not too serious.

For the mileage and year on your car you should expect a goodwill contribution of close to 100% (assuming the rack is faulty). Anything else is a poor show from Opel.

Volvic man

my brother is a mechanic,and i know a fairbit about cars

if i was you id throw it back at opel main dealer

should be still under warrenty

Topper Harley

When the steering rack went a car I had once it caused the steering wheel to almost lock so that the car would start to veer and then when I'd yank at it there'd be a big clunck and it would be fine again (for a few minutes). I don't recall there ever being any noise other than the clunck.

Got a replacement rack from a breakers yard for €80 and a family member was guilted into putting it in for free as it was my first car. It was an old car with no power steering though, so it may have been a more straight forward job.

If your a member of the AA or RAC have them come out to check it.

mickdw

I couldnt see the rack having failed at that mileage. If it has, Opel should certainly be worried. If it is the rack, that has to be classed as a premature failure & they shoul certainly cover it regardless of warranty.

I would say its not the rack, more likely to be something rubbing in the pedal area due to the fitment of dual controls

MarkN

Had two MKV GTIs and both had steering racks replaced and both had the same symptoms as you describe.

darragh o meara

As an ex warranty manager with a major franchise here in Ireland. I would threaten Opel with court and loads of media attention if they refuse to repair it under goodwill or warranty. Manufacturers do not want bad publicity especially when it has something to do with a major safety item.....

But in saying that you will need to contact the warranty manager for opel in the distributors as the lad in the garage can only show you a printout from the screen, he wont hav much more say than that...

DriveSkill

Thanks for the replies, I'm still waiting on Opel to respond as to whether they will cover it under goodwill (as I said it's out of warranty by 3-4 months as bought end Jan 2008 with a 2 year warranty).

However, I'm still not convinced its the steering rack as the creaking is not consistent - i.e. some days it is worse than others and sometimes it disappears altogether. I've tried WD-40 on a number of joints that I can see but hard to know if it is having any effect as the noise may disappear for a few hours and then come back again!

@MarkN - When your steering rack failed was the noise when you turned the wheel or was it there when you were effectively driving in a straight line. I can go lock-to-lock without any creaking and other times a very slight left/right movement of the wheel causes a creaking - almost as if it is rubbing off something and doing it slowly causes the noise.

keithclancy

DriveSkill wrote: »

Thanks for the replies, I'm still waiting on Opel to respond as to whether they will cover it under goodwill (as I said it's out of warranty by 3-4 months as bought end Jan 2008 with a 2 year warranty).

However, I'm still not convinced its the steering rack as the creaking is not consistent - i.e. some days it is worse than others and sometimes it disappears altogether. I've tried WD-40 on a number of joints that I can see but hard to know if it is having any effect as the noise may disappear for a few hours and then come back again!

@MarkN - When your steering rack failed was the noise when you turned the wheel or was it there when you were effectively driving in a straight line. I can go lock-to-lock without any creaking and other times a very slight left/right movement of the wheel causes a creaking - almost as if it is rubbing off something and doing it slowly causes the noise.

Depends on the type of failure, A common fault on the VAG Racks is the seal fails and the fluid leaks out into the boots.

When you try and turn the steering wheel you'll get a groaning noise.

Have you checked the fluid level ?

Moanin

You should have fluid leaking from the boots and have a problem trying to steer the car?

MacGyver

had a friend who worked in opel, said the steering racks were going to give loads of trouble its a known fault on them and the astra. id be throwing it back at them. check some of the opel forums and see if theres a precedent for them failing.

MarkN

DriveSkill wrote: »

@MarkN - When your steering rack failed was the noise when you turned the wheel or was it there when you were effectively driving in a straight line. I can go lock-to-lock without any creaking and other times a very slight left/right movement of the wheel causes a creaking - almost as if it is rubbing off something and doing it slowly causes the noise.

It was at slow speeds, parking, doing a u-turn or something similar. Both were replaced under warranty.