new steering rack

A new steering rack has been ordered for my truck. Last week both struts were replaced in an effort to fix the "clunk clunk" felt in the steering wheel when making right or left turns and at the tire if you held it while turning the steering wheel. Even at the time, the local Honda mechanic felt the issue was with the rack, but the Honda 800 support number they use wanted the struts replaced first since they had had some previous issues with them. The workorder does show who was consulted with at the "800" number and the direction to replace the struts first.

I know there are lots of other posts on clunking noises in the front end. I also had the "BOING" noise that seemed to mostely act up 1st thing in the morning. This isnt to be confused with the normal start up sounds of the VSA system comming to life. This was a distict feeling of a large spring winding up and releasing the first time you turned the steering wheel. The bearings that locate the top of the struts were also replaced, so while I wasnt able to really test this because they kept the truck last night, I assume the strut replacement will have revolved the "boing" issues.

Back to the rack. One interesting point is that with the ignition off, you can rock the steering wheel back and forth and its completely tight. If you start the engine and rock the wheel, there is def a clunk clunk as you rock the wheel from side to side. It was noticable driving highway 17 to Santa Cruz if anyone is familiar with that area. Now I wish I had the service man. Usually wait until the vehicle is out of warr before buying them. (seems there are so many these days and I buy them as I need the various ones) On the rack, it feels like there is just a little backlash in the pinion, but puzzling that it only shows up when the engine is running. On one car I worked on seems that the pinion lash was maintained hydraulically, can only guess here, not having any doccumentation to speak of.

Today is 6/22, they hope to have the repair dont by 6/28. In the mean time the little Toyota RAV 4 drives fine, but sure feels small!

Question for ya. Each time I back out of the driveway put the ridge in drive and hit the gas there is a clunk after like a two second delay. I feel it in the pedal but thats the only time. It happens almost always immediately before the doors lock? Any ideas?

hello,

I had that clunk also, from what I understand, the delayed "clunk" is entirely normal for this vehicle and other Honda/Acura VSA systems- its an initial start up thing for the VSA clutch. My clunk happened everytime you turned the steering wheel, was always and only associated with turning the steering wheel, and especially when turning back and forth such as the little Y turn when you back out of the driveway (would go clunk clunk), manuvering into a parking spot or a road with switch backs.

I hear that clunk when I turn my steering wheel to the left backing out of my driveway but then I never hear it again. It's only when I initially back out. Is this the same problem? I only have 3,200 miles and I have noticed that sound since day one.

Hello,

Just by way of comparison, mine would do it any and every time you drove the truck, and only when the engine was running, so there is some connection to the power steering pump running. There was no going for a test drive and not being able to repeat the sound for the mechanic or having to imagine that you were hearing the clunk.

There can always be some noise associated with disk pads moving in the calipers. Shims and springs are used to minimize this, but on occasion most vehicles will have some noise associated with the pad shifting, usually associated with braking while going one direction than braking in the opposite direction causing the disk pad/pads to move a little in the caliper, such as could easily be explained backing up after earlier going forward while parking.

Without actually hearing what you are hearing, sounds like yours could be normal noises. Now I have to say, that the sound only showed up after about 1000 miles, so I'd always keep on eye and ear on any strange noises. just my 2cents

they checked the struts - fine, said my steering rack was loose and tightened it - fine for about 3 days. I took it to buddy of mine who owns a tire store, he drove it and said I had a bad left front drive axle which is causing excess vibration that is affecting everything. It is at the dealer as I type.

I had the clunk, and they replaced the rack and pinion. They did not do struts to my knowledge.

You have the clunk if it happens when steering. Most often after it's sat for a while and a slight steer is made upon take off.

I have 1000 miles on my new RT and I am noticing a "clunk" sound when making left turns only from a standstill. I have to drive it a bit to see if it happens on right turns, but so far I haven't noticed any problems on the right side. So far it doesn't happen when backing up.

I have 1000 miles on my new RT and I am noticing a "clunk" sound when making left turns only from a standstill. I have to drive it a bit to see if it happens on right turns, but so far I haven't noticed any problems on the right side. So far it doesn't happen when backing up.

Blown strut?