800 steering rattles

sumeethaldankar · 26th September 2010, 11:39

Hello,

my 97'800's (done 33,380 kms) steering rattles while driving over uneven surfaces. I had recently got my front suspension overhauled and had replaced same with new struts and lower suspension kits (lower arms,ball joints etc).So what could be the problem with the steering.

Could it be related to the steering coulmn or to the steering rack.I don't have much problem turning the steering, however i found it to be hard after the suspension work and had asked the alignment guys to loosen it up a bit.

I hope the rattling won't cause any safety issues with the car.

thanks

SirAlec · 26th September 2010, 23:21

Before the suspension work did it rattled.?

sumeethaldankar · 26th September 2010, 23:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirAlec

Before the suspension work did it rattled.?

Nopes,it didn't not like it does now.

SirAlec · 27th September 2010, 20:59

By ball joints, i guess you meant tie rod ends. Are those fitted original ones.

sumeethaldankar · 28th September 2010, 09:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirAlec

By ball joints, i guess you meant tie rod ends. Are those fitted original ones.

The kit had the name Rane.

Link to same is here

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techni...ml#post1697510

I understand these might not be originals but what's done is done and changing the same again will be expensive.All i can do is now to avoid the garage where i got the work done, but would these be the cause of the rattle.

thanks

NOS Power · 28th September 2010, 10:43

I guess it could be due to worn steering bushes and steering rod ends (probably tie rod ends). Get the steering rods checked, also get the bearing in the steering column checked.

SirAlec · 30th September 2010, 23:42

SO you changed tie rods ends and rods. It looks something like following.
Its part of steering mechanism.

Rane does makes steering and its components. But maruti Oem are made by Sona. which is very good.

Go to another reliable garage and get their opinion.

jatinpatel · 30th September 2010, 23:54

Better check for Worn steering rack bush if that worn out or cracked it will create rattling noise even on the smallest of undulations.

decode · 1st October 2010, 01:40

I strongly suspect the steering column/rack. Rack bushes can be fixed by an expert in Lathe workshop. Otherwise you need to replace it. This will not cause safety issues.

sumeethaldankar · 2nd October 2010, 21:35

Hello,

I was able to get the issue fixed.i was under the impression it was gonna cost big bucks to fix but it turns out the problem was just with rivets which had loosend and caused the steering to rattle.

All it took was the right set of tool, a firm hand and 50 bucks to set the steering right again.It feels good and nice and solid once again.

Thanks to all you guys for your replies.

26th September 2010, 11:39	#1
sumeethaldankar Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 3,986 Thanked: 3,443 Times View My Garage	800 steering rattles Hello, my 97'800's (done 33,380 kms) steering rattles while driving over uneven surfaces. I had recently got my front suspension overhauled and had replaced same with new struts and lower suspension kits (lower arms,ball joints etc).So what could be the problem with the steering. Could it be related to the steering coulmn or to the steering rack.I don't have much problem turning the steering, however i found it to be hard after the suspension work and had asked the alignment guys to loosen it up a bit. I hope the rattling won't cause any safety issues with the car. thanks
	() Thanks

26th September 2010, 23:21	#2
SirAlec Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: zxc Posts: 3,395 Thanked: 727 Times	Before the suspension work did it rattled.?
	() Thanks

27th September 2010, 20:59	#4
SirAlec Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: zxc Posts: 3,395 Thanked: 727 Times	By ball joints, i guess you meant tie rod ends. Are those fitted original ones.
	() Thanks

28th September 2010, 10:43	#6
NOS Power BHPian Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Kolkata Posts: 404 Thanked: 79 Times View My Garage	I guess it could be due to worn steering bushes and steering rod ends (probably tie rod ends). Get the steering rods checked, also get the bearing in the steering column checked.
	() Thanks

30th September 2010, 23:42	#7
SirAlec Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: zxc Posts: 3,395 Thanked: 727 Times	SO you changed tie rods ends and rods. It looks something like following. Its part of steering mechanism. Rane does makes steering and its components. But maruti Oem are made by Sona. which is very good. Go to another reliable garage and get their opinion.
	() Thanks

30th September 2010, 23:54	#8
jatinpatel BHPian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Mumbai Posts: 610 Thanked: 196 Times View My Garage	Better check for Worn steering rack bush if that worn out or cracked it will create rattling noise even on the smallest of undulations.
	() Thanks

1st October 2010, 01:40	#9
decode BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 86 Thanked: 90 Times	I strongly suspect the steering column/rack. Rack bushes can be fixed by an expert in Lathe workshop. Otherwise you need to replace it. This will not cause safety issues.
	() Thanks

2nd October 2010, 21:35	#10
sumeethaldankar Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 3,986 Thanked: 3,443 Times View My Garage	Problem Solved. Hello, I was able to get the issue fixed.i was under the impression it was gonna cost big bucks to fix but it turns out the problem was just with rivets which had loosend and caused the steering to rattle. All it took was the right set of tool, a firm hand and 50 bucks to set the steering right again.It feels good and nice and solid once again. Thanks to all you guys for your replies. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks