Loose Sound - non-powered steering rack

[ionfuel]

Hello - I have a 92L. Runs great! 46MPG last road trip. Clean oil stick even after 10k miles.

The non-powered steering rack was replaced a couple of years ago. I can drive this car 70+ MPH down the highway; drives straight, no shaking or anything. Perfect. It just goes.

But when I go over bumps, railroad tracks, etc. I feel something that "sounds loose" for lack of a better description.

If I lift the hood, bounce the car a bit with one hand while grabbing the steering rack with my other hand, I can "feel" the loose sound carrying thru the rack. Could it be linkage in the rack when I go over small bumps?

My mechanic thinks some rubber cushions somewhere underneath are just "gone" due to age and that the little bumps are causing two sections to hit each other that's no longer cushioned by rubber.

He thought maybe an A-Arm was bad? Or the struts? Wondered if anyone experienced this?

[georgeb]

You need to shake and pry on stuff under there to find it.

[hodginsa]

Its most likely the bushings inside the rack, I replaced all of my suspension before replacing the rack and thats what it turned out to be. They hold the rack in place inside the rack and pinion tube, stopping it from moving up and down, mine would knock going over large bumps slowly but everything was tight on the highway.

Lots of people will say the same thing.

[Movin]

If you are not sure have a good alignment guy look it over.

[hot4dl8ly]

X 2 on the rack itself, I just got done finding a mysterious knocking noise and finally replacing the rack for worn internal bushings that keep the rack/rod itself from rattling around inside the housing. Also check the outter tie rods- can knock on up and down movement with little/no play side to side

[nitrofarm]

Had a nosie when I hit bumps. Turned out it was inner tie rods.They transfer noise directly into cabin because they are so close to firewall on these cars. Food for thought....

[sickfleming]

My Festiva is having similar problems. The front right side makes a "clunk" when going over a speed bump, railroad tracks, and when I throw the car's weight on that side when making a tight turn. I doubt it's dangerous though, just a little unnerving at first.
I was told that it could be the steering rack or inner tie rods clunking around without bushings. But my rack bellows are gone so...yeah, that might have something to do with it.

I don't know for sure if you can just change the bushings or you have to change the whole steering rack if that's the culprit though. I'm looking for a solution too.