[ksjon]

For a few days i've been feeling and hearing short "clunks" in the steeringwheel.

the sound itself comes from the front of the car. it definitively got something to do with the connection to the wheels or bumpers.

to explain a bit more detailed:
- it usually clunks alot more when i drive slow (10-20mph) straight forward on rougher surfaces.
- i removed the front wheels and nothing seem wrong or loose when i force the wheel back and forth in turning directions.
- the wheels itself fits firm and doesnt feel loose in any direction.
- if the car stand still and i turn the steeringwheel back and forth it feels ok and firm.
- it seems it doesnt matter which wheel that hits the rougher terrain. the clunks come anyways.


i wouldnt classify the sound as a sound i would at first react to with panic "oh no, something is broken". but it just doesnt seem correct.

is there some place between the steeringwheel and the wheels itself where a gasket could be missing or a nut could have loosen?

 

[RichS]

Steering rack is going.

You are out of warranty, so I'd go with the S111 quicker ratio steering rack. (Which is now only $625 instead of $725).

titanQR

 

[marcinr]

Maybe there's something loose in your suspension? You would certainly feel that in the steering wheel.

 

[ksjon]

i'm looking at the item you posted.

how does the steering rack usually break? is it the linkage to the steeringwheel?

i can see that there are 4 mounting points (2 on each side). could it simply be these that have loosened? ... tho guess i could go back out and check that.

 

[andykeck]

ihow does the steering rack usually break? is it the linkage to the steeringwheel?

No, at least in my case, the either the rack or the pinion gear gets chewed up. It starts with the noise and eventually develops into increasing amounts of free play. My first rack also started to stick in certain positions, which is a little freaky.

I'm on my third rack. My first two went quickly and it's my understanding that they changed suppliers.

 

[ksjon]

is it hard to change the rack yourself on a elise 05?

can it be done from under the car or does the clam need to be removed?

 

[Cletus74]

I have had that same sound since I have owned the car (an '06 with 28K miles of which 8K are mine). Like you have said, it could only be heard at slow speeds on rough surfaces, but I have never "felt" anything and the steering still feels solid.

Over a year and a half ago (after reading about it on here) I started to notice the sound. I was sure it was the Steering Rack and brought it to the dealer. They ensured me that the rack was fine and it was a case of "TADTS". I was very insistent that they re-check the Steering Rack, so they did and found it to be perfectly fine. They did replace the Sway Bar Bushings under warranty to see if it helped and it did a little; however the sound was still present. Six months later, I brought it back in for an unrelated reason and mentioned to them that the sound still existed. Their senior technician was curious about what I was hearing so I took him on a test drive..........again, he indicated that it was normal. As long as the steering wasn't feeling mushy or developing a dead-spot, there was nothing to be concerned about.

Anyway, I have been living with it for a while now with no change in the sound or the feel of the car. My brother (Wally77 on here) purchased an '06 Elise about 6 months ago, so out of curiosity, I took his for a test drive to see if I could hear the same sound. Sure enough, it is present in his car as well (although his Stage II drowns the sound out a bit more), but I still didn't "feel" anything wrong.

I am not saying that your Steering Rack is fine, but I know of a few other people that have had the "clunk" for a while with no issues. If it doesn't "feel" right, then the S111 Quicker Ratio Rack would be the ideal aftermarket solution........I have heard a lot of positive feedback about it. Good luck on your resolving your issue!

 

[fpitas]

Check your ball joints, especially the lower. A few people (including me) have found they were not properly torqued, and in some cases they were actually loose.

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f101/found-another-cause-clunk-front-end-57628/

 

[LARRY]

Steering rack.

Bye-Bye. (Mine went too...)

Be sure to get an alignment after it's replaced...