When I bought my CRX, they gave me a new steering rack with it, uninstalled. When I turn, or accelerate, there is a clicking noise... Should I just go ahead and get the CV joints replaced and replace the steering rack as well?

 

i had a bad clicking in my civic when i would turn so i replaced the axels and never had a problem after that. its kind of a hard problem to pin point id just replace bolth just to be sure cause unless ur doing it ur self shop fees are a bits even more so when you have to have it done twice.

 

First thing is hop into your car, head to a parking lot or somewhere wide open. Pop it into reverse and turn the wheel and get on the gas a little. It should click loudly when your turning that direction in reverse and with the window down you should be able to tell which side it is. This could be the inboard or out cv joint, if its pretty loud most likely the outter. either way if it clicks with the wheels turning like that(steering locked).


next thing to do, go to your car and lay down. crawl on your back and get a little bit underneath or at least really close to your axle. Look under with a flashlight at your axles, particularly the CV joints, and see if the boots are ripped. If you find one ripped stick your finger in the boot and see how much greese if any is still inside near the joint. If not much or none then that joint is probably bad. The joints arent really easy to replace or cheap, so might as well replace the entire axle shaft as its near the same price for refurbished units, also a bit easier.

For a bad rack(which isnt that common, but happens) you should feel slop in your steering. Ie when you turn the wheel the car almost hesitates before it turns, also a click when turning from one direction to another. But it wont really continually click unless your on a bumpy road or weaving aggressively.

 

when i had clicking noises when i was turning it ended up that one of my axles was snapped right in half inside the boot. sounds similar to bad cv joints

 

i have a bad rack im sure.
when i brake hard my steering wheel shakes like crazy.
also when i am just sitting there and shake the wheel back and forth you can hear it clicking.
not trying to thread jack either, just kinda interested