[SOLVED] VR6 Cracking whilst turning steering wheel

[Manxmann]

Hi Folks,

Need some advice as I'm now stuck, my 96 VR6 has been cracking, you can feel and hear it, when turning the steering wheel. Once he wheel is 'turned' i.e. to go round a corner the cracking stops. If the car is sitting stationary I can still hear the cracking whilst turning the wheel.

Ok so to solve the problem and just because the work was needed the following work has been carried out:

New steering rack (recon)
Steering column removed and bushes replaced
Track rod ends replaced
Lower arms on both sides replaced +  bush naturally
Anti Roll bar bushes
New shocks + springs all round
New top mounts + strut bearing

After all the work she drives beatifully but is still cracking! (and not in a good way  )

Suggestions please as I'm stuck  :embarassed: and skint 

UPDATE : Well thanks to the helpful chaps on this forum I've tracked the little blighter down. The problem in the end was ....... The steering rack was MOVING in its rubber clamps/mounts. The 'Creaking/Cracking' was the rubber 'sticking' then slipping to the rack as it slide  around! 

[Wayne]

I would have a good look around and see if you have any splits in the chassis or subframe

[AudiA8Quattro]

If it makes the noise when stationary, then jack it up, get a mate to turn the steering while you examine underneath.

[Khare]

I would of said steering rack. Mine creaks too due to it being foobared, but if you've changed it already then I'm baffled. Do what AudiA8Quattro said.

[AudiA8Quattro]

If you can hear the noise in the car, then you should easily be able to find it when you are underneath 

[boneybradley]

can i also say "faulty wheel hub" mine creaked/cracked loudly when steering (moving and still) but jacked up it was fine! There was no play anywhere in the hub/bearing but you could hear the noise coming from that area and a full strip down of the suspension didn't reveal anything odd. It took a lot of investigating to find but was apparent when the bearing was removed!
could be worth checking 

[AudiA8Quattro]

True, the noise could disappear when the weight is taken off the wheels.

[davero]

Mine did this, and oddly it was the middle section of the exhaust hitting off the body.
It only did it when turning the steering wheel.

[Manxmann]

Perfect thanks folks.

I'd never considered that the hub could be faulty, I'll have a poke round as soon as I can.

Thanks guys for the pointers.

Will let you know what I find