White_EG1

Hey guys, seeking somebody to just tell me that my rack is bad. I don't want to believe it, but I'm getting a bad clunking noise from that area. Which i suspected has to be the steering rack. I can replicate the sound with the car off, and parked in gear. I just have to move the steering wheel just a wee bit and it will make a big clunk. If I turn it to that side then back to stationary it's even louder.

I do feel some play in the steering wheel, like I can shake it side to side slightly while driving and it well not effect the car. But there is NO play in any of the wheels. So.... Inner tie rods, inner bushing, or the whole damn rack?

NotARaCist

iTrader: (1)

<p>Inspect the U joint between the rack and the steering column.</p>

White_EG1

Where is that exactly? Is that in the cabin?

NotARaCist

iTrader: (1)

<p>No, it's between the rack itself and the steering column. &nbsp;How do you not know what a u joint is?</p><p><img src="http://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/honda-tech.com-vbulletin/1024x660/80-34_dd_x_34_dd_forged_u_joint_fr2644_5433e5e382b12b 19aa3b7813dfff4752c87a402e.jpg" title="" /><br /><br />&nbsp;</p>

White_EG1

Uh, I'm still not sure where it's at. Not under the car right now, but just trying to get a picture in my head. Is it by the shift linkage? Does it connect right to the rack itself? And what am I looking for, it to be cracked, the same clunk noise or play?

NotARaCist

iTrader: (1)

<p>You'd be looking for play. &nbsp;It's part of the shaft that connects the steering column to the steering rack.</p><p><img src="http://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/honda-tech.com-vbulletin/960x480/80-s023b3200_6b64cdfe7f16f40ab9bf5643ae95a857c188387b .gif" title="" /><br /><br />Part #4 in this diagram.</p>

94CivicSi

iTrader: (1)

I did have one of the u-joint bolts loosen up on me after having the rack out of the car. It did indeed clunk.

You can also make an adjustment to the rack guide under the car. It's really easy with the special Honda wrench, but can be done with conventional tools. Do you have a shop manual to follow that procedure?

Just to be sure, you've checked that bolts that hold the rack to the car? There is also a rubber isolator bushing that could be in very bad condition and allow the rack to move a bit.

Former User

You can see it from inside the car. Removing the cover (part #3 in NAR's diagram) will expose it.

White_EG1

Okay, thanks ron I see now.


So I don't think its the u-joint just based on where its at and the clunk I am getting. The clunk comes from under the hood, inner tie rod area. I want to note also when going over bumps at low speeds I can feel the whole car shake from side side, is this indicative of bad inner tie rods? New tie rod ends btw.

I heard the inner tie rod bushing could be bad also, I know you need a box end wrench, but does anybody know specs of the wrench? 19mm?

White_EG1

I took it for a drive today, I can hear the clunk sound while driving now, if I hit any indention on the road. It comes from both sides, pass and driver.

Caoboy

If you were to take your car to an alignment shop they'll let you know if your inner tie rods are bad. They might also diagnose the clunk and let you know what it is.

PaulyDiesel

I'd check the U joint for play even if the sound seems to be coming from elsewhere, noises are deceptive. If you jack the car up you can try to isolate the clunking to the tie rods by grabbing them by hand and trying to move them in and out as well as up and down and front to back. You can use a jackstand or something to hold your suspension at the proper height (close to normal ride height on the ground), because i've heard sometimes a good time rod can be mistaken for bad if it hangs on an angle it's not designed for. Make sure to check the inners and the outers. Good luck! Please be careful jacking the car up especially since you'll be yanking on stuff.

RodWolf19

Maybe the bushings for the rack? Mine are gone and it'll occasionally give a thunk, but usually creaks.

civilsantana

did you ever solve the problem?

halfdemonpyro

civilsantana, I am guessing you have a similar noise?

The problem is there is a vast number of parts between your hand on the wheel and the tire on the road that can make a noise, or be loose and cause issues.

Common ones are ball joints, tie rod ends, and a loose steering rack caused by bad rack bushings, or loose bolts. The rack itself could have a bunch of crud in it if the bellows on the tie rods have cracked and split. The control arm bushings could also have worn out or disintegrated. Lots of stuff to check, and the only way to know for sure is to get under there and look. Get the car up on one side, grab the tire at the top and bottom and try rocking it, then grab it on the sides and rock it that way like you are steering the car, but do it fast. If there is a worn out or loose part it usually becomes very obvious doing this. Try both sides. If you hear or feel something, then get under the car with a flashlight and start looking at everything.

White_EG1

^^^Good advice

Yes I did. It was inner tie rods.

civilsantana

https://honda-tech.com/honda-civic-d.../#post50853966

heres a link to my thread could you look it over and give me your opinion

civilsantana

really making that big of a clunk noise?
go look at my thread and watch the video and tell me if the noise is similar please
https://honda-tech.com/honda-civic-d.../#post50853966

00civic-ej8

Civilsantana we allready told u its a rack looking for somebody to tell u that it isnth....... I guess if u wanna start trowing other parts go for it its gonna fix ur rack problem

civilsantana

ok but now i see this guy thread and he has same exact issue that he fixed and he says its his tie rods so let me ask him its not gonna hurt anybody

White_EG1

I saw your thread and actually would suggest rack end bushing, before you'd replace the rack.

psychotron

Inner tie rods perhaps??

halfdemonpyro

The only way to know is to stop guessing and get your hands dirty. Lift the car, shake stuff, rattle stuff, disassemble, inspect, rinse and repeat. We can guess at your problem all day long, but the fact of the matter is we are just a bunch of guys on a forum reading stuff you are describing. We dont have the car in font of us and parts in our hands. We can tell you what to look at and how it should look and feel, but its still up to you to find it.

My car has several front suspension issues currently and it took me about 10 minutes to find every single part responsible just by jacking it up and wiggling things. If you do the wiggle test and cant find anything loose then it would be internal to the rack. If thats the case, get a new rack and install it. Honda stuff is so dirt freaking cheap that there is little point to NOT replace it.

civilsantana

It was a loose u joint that connects column to rack.. Problem solved