Loud bang from steering

[jaydubveedub]

A week or so ago I was manouvering out of a car park space (on the side of the road) and there was a lound bank/clonk though the steering column. I felt it through the wheel and the pedals, the noise was quite loud. This happened when I was turning the wheels whilst stationary (something I usually try to avoid as it's hard work for the PAS).

Had a quick look under the car when i got home, nothing obviously wrong. Everything works / feels fine.

Then at the weekend the same thing happened, again while turning the wheel while the car wasn't moving (parking again). It was the same bang/clonk.

Has anyone else had this? I am guessing it is something to do with the stress placed on the rack when you try and turn the wheel and the car isn't moving.

Everything seems fine otherwise.

[Hurdy]

You should always try to be moving when turning the wheels left/right as it can double the stresses on the the steering and suspension parts.

Check the front ARB mounts as they can snap under static pressure.

[jaydubveedub]

Cheers for the tip Hurdy. I'll get underneath and check the ARB and mounts.

Is it a big/expensive job to replace snapped mounts?

To be fair, I always try to make sure the car is moving when I turn the steering to avoid stressing it too much, but it's sometimes anavoidable in really tight parking spaces!

[Hurdy]

The labour would be more than the part. If it was the ARB bracket, then it depends which side has broken (top or bottom section of bracket as from memory, the upper ones are welded to the ARB). Taking out the ARB if you have to, means dropping the sub-frame to fit in a new arb, which is labour intensive.

Any updates?

[jaydubveedub]

Not had a chance to look at it yet - it's always dark or raining!

Will do it this weekend.

Took it on a long drive yesteday and handling still seems to be OK, which I hope is a good sign of the ARB brackets being OK.

Find out tomorrow.............