Steering rack suddenly really creaky.

[stainesy]

As in the tittle. Have just noticed at very very low speed or stopped when I turn steering left or right my steering rack suddenly sound really creaky

Any ideas?

[tweed]

I would check it ain't any f**ked rubber mounts before you say it's the rack

[Khare]

Mine used to do the same, soon after it started leaking, and the only solution was a new steering rack.

[stainesy]

It had a winey sound from steering column but now it's a full on loud creak you can feel in your feet. Is a new rack a big job?

[Khare]

You need to drop subframe to do it. It is a pretty big job.

[stainesy]

Really? Fcuk. It just suddenly started doing it. It's propper loud inside the car from steering column and can feel it on you feet on the floor. Fluid level is fine. Power steering pump sounds like its working hard aswell but defo a loud sound coming from under the car.

[Khare]

You could try tightening down the nuts that hold it in place, you might be lucky and it's just loosened up over the years but it does sound like the same problem I had.

[stainesy]

Ok mate cheers I will try that first. How am I looking a paying roughly for a garage to change it?
also are all the mk3 steering racks the same or will i need a gti one?

[Khare]

All mk3 power steering racks are the same. No idea how much a garage would charge sorry.

[stainesy]

So what would be the cause of the creaking in the steering rack? And what will happen when I FINALY goes? Will it just seize up?