I got a couple of quick problems, I'm hoping to get more info on.

Going to work the other day I noticed a clicking coming from the steering, both audibly and physically -coming through the steering wheel. It didn't matter which direction I was turning, or the angle or speed of the turn, and it was not consistant -just a random "click, click, click, click, click" kind of thing during the turn. It is NOT constant, which has made locating the trouble a problem. It'll click 4-10 times per turn, and maybe during 5% of the turns. I stopped the car and would get the same clicking when turning while not moving.

I have since got a chance to get under the car and look and feel around, and in doing so, I've noticed that grabbing either sides' outer tie rod produces nothing, but grabbing the drivers side inner tie rod and applying a good deal of "shake" produces slight wobble on the tie rod.

Comparing this wobble to the passenger side would have me think that there should be no wobble -not even the slightest, as the passenger side was tight no matter how hard I rattled it.

Coincidentally, the click sounded similar to what I was hearing the other day.
Searching this forum, it would seem a complete rack replacement is needed, but I'm listening to any and all opinions.

I'm particularly interested in any special tools required. I think I have the process and most tools, but my concern will be getting the outter tie rod ends off of the steering knuckle without damage.


I also noticed that while attempting to rule things in and out when trouble shooting this clicking, that while I can apply rocking force to the drivers front corner and the shock feels fine, but when that rocking force is applied to the passenger front fender, it feels like the shock bottoms out 3 inches into the rocking. Can I assume this means a bad shock? The shock still "catches" like it is supposed to.

On another side note -I could have sworn I read somewhere that the OE factory equipment there are no chassis lube points. While under the car, I noticed the lower ball joints both had zerk fittings, can I assume that this means these have been replaced at some point by the previous owner?

Thanks!

 

If you have zerk fittings, then the balljoints have been replaced.

 

Took it to a local shop last week, and they spent an hour going over the car. They test drove it twice and couldn't get the sound to happen.
They found nothing wrong -until I pointed out the inner left tie rod. They said there wasn't enough play in it to be a concern. I told them the sound that is made when rattling the inner tie rod is the a similar sound that I hear when it happens during turning. I don't know that it is the cause, but it might be.

Went back later in the week when the car was actively making the noise, and their "specialist" came out. He gave it a quick look, did the 9 o'clock to 3 o'clock tug, and the 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock tug (while the tire was on the ground ), and said he thought the lower ball was bad.

I've spent about an hour playing with it, and the 12/6 tug is tight. Very tight.
The 9/3 tug has a ton of play in it, but it's not the hub itself but throughout the rack (I didn't have anyone hold the steering wheel).

I don't know, I guess I'll hit another local place for an estimate of what is wrong and the cost to fix it, because I just can't be sure where the sound is coming from.