Steering Rack?

[stuc]

Got a knocking on the front, think it is the rack. Been on the ramp today, drop links ok, anti roll bar bushes ok, track rod ends ok.
anyone had a similar problem? Mine has leaked pas fluid since I got it but not massive amounts, needs topping up every couple of months.
Some racks are adjustable to take up slack, is the Bongos?

[bandario]

Sorry, not much help but just wondered, how do you know your drop links and anti roll bar, tie rod ends etc are 'ok'?

I could not see much difference between a brand new tie rod end and my old ones but sure makes a difference when they 'worn'.

[helen&tony]

Hi
Just having similar problems, and have constant suspension problems with the Third World type roads here.
The wishbone bushes can give a similar problem sound to the Droplinks, as I've replaced all the suspension, and Allan's at Plymouth has stated the rear of the wishbone bushes knocks like the droplinks, and apparently if you start the engine, and wobble the steering, this will show up the bush problem. We had the Bongo on the inspection pit t'other day, and the clonking comes from the rack. The rack isn't adjustable, BUT you can replace the rack end with its inner balljoint...listings on e-bay...again, Allan mentioned this one, and I've seen them advertised!...however, mine has a lot of play at the wheel, and I reckon it's damaged , but , hopefully yours would repair in situ with the inner joints / rack ends
PS Allan's is a good supplier of quality new parts
Cheers
Helen

[Northern Bongolow]

check the bottom ball joint, this gives a thump noise when worn.
jack all the front off the ground and let the hubs hang and get a bar in there between the swivel and the wishbone,this is also the best way to check all the antiroll bar bushes and droplinks.

[stuc]

check the bottom ball joint, this gives a thump noise when worn.
jack all the front off the ground and let the hubs hang and get a bar in there between the swivel and the wishbone,this is also the best way to check all the antiroll bar bushes and droplinks.

This is how I checked them and all seemed fine, the rubber in the rear joint of the lower arm does looked slightly perished but hardly any movement there. If you put the wheels on the ground and wobble the steering back and forth, with a hand on the rack outer arms(you need help for this one) you can feel the knocking, thats why I suspect the rack. I could go for renewing those outer arms but as mentioned it has quite a bad leak from above anyway.

[helen&tony]

Hi
Same as my rack, but it also has a considerable amount of play at the wheel, and visible movement similar to what you may expect on a worn bearing, as the outer arm moves up and down....no leaks , though.
Cheers
Helen

[teenmal]

Hi stuc,helen&tony

It might be worthwhile checking the top and bottom universal joints on the steering shaft.

Cheers.

[helen&tony]

Hi
Definitely not a problem in my case...checked that out before winter...no movement into rack, movement out!
Truth to tell, I went round a bend in the road a year or so back, and hit a pothole about 30Cm (1 foot) deep, and a metre in diameter, and the Bongo made a huge bang...after which I braked, an it felt like the whole suspension moved..I thought it may have cracked the mounting on the chassis (i've done that before, off-road (different vehicle)), however, every new bit added has helped, but the rack is a more recent magnification of a wee niggle.
I must take some piccies of the roads here...frankly unbelieveable...Tony's lived in a war zone where the roads are repaired quicker
Cheers
Helen