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[Webby the Bear]

Hi guys, apologies for the endless Corsa threads 

Anyways was driving in to Morrisons with wifey couple weeks back. We tend to not have the radio on these days so it was easy to notice that when she turns the wheel there's a light clunk within the first couple of centimetres of steering wheel travel. Definitely audible but not horrendous. theres no other noise or problems...just this light clunk on first movement.

So a few mins ago I jacked it up both sides and got underneath and had a root round.

No play at all in the track rod ends, their ball joints are in great shape. The gaiters on the rack are all good too with no leaks, cuts etc.

I grabbed the tie rod with my hand (don't have my pry bars at home) and as said, no play in any direction by hand.

So I got wifey to turn the steering left and right a few centimetres whilst I observed. You can hear the light clunking and when I put my hand on the inner tie rod you can definitely feel it is coming from up the rack end. So.

is this a dodgy inner tie rod or is this a potentially new rack? or is there any other oddities that the corsa c throws up?

cheers guys

ps, one last thing.... the drive shafts have left and right play by hand that also makes a light clunk which I initially thought it was the issue.but as said I can feel the play in the tie rod. so on an aside should the drive shaft make any light clunk? they do it both sides.

[05omegav6]

Tie rod unscrews from end of rack, has a ball joint within the assembly
 If right hand end... full left lock, right hand wheel off, unclip gaiter from rack and tierod and slide it towards hub, spanner to unscrew tierod assembly... refit in reverse

[Webby the Bear]

Cheers Al.

As the clunk is felt on both sides should I be replacing them both?
Then, presumably if its not that then the racks fekked?

[05omegav6]

Cheers Al.

As the clunk is felt on both sides should I be replacing them both?
Then, presumably if its not that then the racks fekked?

You might be able to feel play in the rack when you remove the tierods hopefully Master will be along to confirm 

[Webby the Bear]

Thanks Taxi.

What's the best way to relieve the track rod from its perch? Looking at the new part there doesn't appear to be flats to get a wrench on. I'm thinking pipe wrench?

[05omegav6]

Pics

[Matchless]

Stilsons or water pump pliers should undo it.


The clunking noise you describe can sometimes be due to slight play in the bushes in the end of the rack - this is not an MoT fail unless excessive - MoT testers should have a bulletin about this and can give an advisory notice but not a fail unless there is too much play at the steering wheel.

Before you replace the tie rod check that it really is worn....if you turn the steering to extend the rack on the side in question you should be able to put your hand around the entire joint (rack boot makes it difficult but you can do it). Get someone to move the steering wheel whilst you feel for any play in the joint.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Check the UJ bolt at the base of the steering column has not come loose (by brake pedal).

[Webby the Bear]

Thanks guys. much appreciated

So these rack bushings. do they come with the tie rods or are they on their own? Will they come off with the tie rods etc?

[Webby the Bear]

cheers mark, will do that 

[Marks DTM Calib]

Thanks guys. much appreciated

So these rack bushings. do they come with the tie rods or are they on their own? Will they come off with the tie rods etc?

Rack bushes are in the rack.....but I bet its the UJ loose.

[Webby the Bear]

thanks mate. so if I find out its them then is it a whole new rack or just the bushings? just so I'm knowlesge aware

and ill make checking the uj my first job before anything gets ordered. presumably a case of snugging up a 10mm or summat?

[Marks DTM Calib]

T12 bolt from memory

[Matchless]

Mark is right to say check the bolts joining the UJ to the rack and steering column, there were some cars with the bolts not tightened enough, our Corsa C had a recall to check it and got a shiny new UJ as a result.
The offside rack bush was worn on our Corsa, no MoT fail but it was really irritating over rough roads as I could hear it and feel it through the floor.
Wasted my money buying a tie rod, the ball joint was fine. The bushes are part of the rack and not available separately. Eventually found a new rack from a dealer who had changed brands and was selling off his stock at cost.

We also have a Meriva in the fleet which has the same problem....keeping the radio turned up seems to cure it though.

[Webby the Bear]

Haha! Thanks lads.

So...

1. snug up torxbolt on the shaft near the brake pedal
2. replace tie rods (they're dirt cheap so worth a shot before an expensive rack replacement)
3. replace rack

in that order if first two don't solve the issue