Has anyone had any probs with their rack and pinion/steering? If so what were the problems and the symptoms? I am hearing a pop/bang/clank when turning at low speeds and sometimes when I hit bumps at low speeds. I have eliminated it being CV,s, tie rods, A-Arms, ball joints, wheel bearings and my sway bar bushings. Any ideas? Sounds very much like it is coming from the front drivers side. I'm am so baffled.....

Signed
Popping in Phoenix

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My KJ is at the dealership as we speak getting the seals ans power steering pump replaced under extended warrenty, I took it in for the mechanical fan and they also found the power steering leaking and further investagation turned up seals and pinion.

Dealer is getting close to $700 for the job.

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Will
05 Limited 4x4 Franky II Al's A-arms Black Moabs with MTR's Remote Start SOLD
06 TJ Rubicon Built
06 Dodge 2500 Diesel - Tow Pig
89 Wrangler not much left stock on it

Was the Jeep making any noises? If so what kind of noises?

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Dear Popping in Phoenix,

Did you check the brake caliper(s)?

- Mister (manners) Oddball.

Like that?!

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2004 TJ Rubicon.

Ernie,
Check the r&p bushings. Sounds just like what i had up front with the banging. I could see some play and hear a faint noise from the bushings, but couldn't move it anywhere near what it is when driving, so wasn't for sure if that was it. Since I couldn't isolate it to any one spot and my tie rod ends were on the way out too, I replaced most all of it. Rack bushings, inner/ outer tie rods sway bar end links, and the broke JBA UCA. The noise stopped and it drives so much better.

Hope that helps some. The bushings are cheap, but the replacement is labor intensive.

Now if I could figure out the banging from underneath the drivers seat and the rear end I'd be happy.

later,
mike

Not to deter from the OP thread but Mike!- I had the same pop/bang when I changed to the longer rear shock- I found loose trailing arm bolts too and I retightened the shock bolts and included a thin coating of RTV blue (red in my case) on said shock bolts shanks to dull any noise and tightened the snot out of them when doing the reinstall. It all worked. No noise--
Fortunately for me the R+P steering on the Jeep is silent and feels tight/secure-Ernie I hope you find the problem--
Again sorry for the small hi-jack- now please return to OP subject--

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2006 CRD LTD 2.8L VM Motori turbo,CAC, 100K-new timing belt
ORM-SEGR, Trans cooler, CLIII hitch front/rear, Journey HD controller
Mopar skids,"Stone Soup" rails, KK clevis fork 1" mild lift w/Daystar stops
215x85 LRD BFG Commercial A/T's, Rola Rack, V6 airbox, Fumoto valve
10K winch, B5 Biodiesel (ULSD CP3 lube)
Its a Diesel baby!

The 1st time I had that pop/banging sound it was the nut on top of the strut assembly that came loose.The 2nd time it was a bad "C" clip on my passenger side CV,which holds the CV assembly in the front diff.The 3rd time it was the swaybar links were a little loose.


Have you had someone rock the steering wheel back and forth(engine off) while you were looking at the front end components? I'd be doing that to find the play,if none if found start looking at those top nuts on the coilover assemblies(have to remove to check).Bad CV's could be a cause also,the only way to check those is to tear them apart if no visual/heard signs are there.

Thanks for all the advice. I have checked everything but the strut assemblies. I have torqued all the bolts on the front end to specs. All bushings are in good shape. I have new a arms, new CVs, new wheel bearing, new lower a arms, new LBJ, new tie rod. Only things left to check are the strut towers and the brake caliper. I even opened up the diff and it seems like the C clips are in place. Frustrated Struts will be removed and inspected next.

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It will run you about $1300 to put a new rack in it.

This noise you describe happened to modular. Definitely was the rack.

Just got my KJ back from dealer with the diagnosis being leaky power steering gears. Parts replaced steering gear and steering rack cost in parts $1266, parts in labor $700. All but $100 deductible was covered under extended warrenty. Even the alignment and rental car.

I had no idea I was having an issue with the steering until it got fixed and my steering is much more touchy now. Never had any noise and never saw any fluid.

Good luck with yours.

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Will
05 Limited 4x4 Franky II Al's A-arms Black Moabs with MTR's Remote Start SOLD
06 TJ Rubicon Built
06 Dodge 2500 Diesel - Tow Pig
89 Wrangler not much left stock on it