Play/creaking in steering

I've got some play in my steering. Evident when the front wheels are off the ground, very small almost undetectable slight mechanical knock.

It's also more easily identifiable in the steering wheel if you jiggle it without moving the road wheels.

I've replaced both inner and outer track rod ends/joints. OE Renault parts. I've also replaced the NS steering bush with the expensive £30 poly job which to be honest didn't seem to need replacing once I'd swapped it out.

So i think the play is in the column lower UJ.

Any ideas?

 

No it's definitely rack related. The play is not evident in the arms and only detectable from the road wheel if you apply on/off load down the axis of the steering arms.

I can see the track rod joint move which I originally diagnosed as being the problem. But after being replaced and correctly fitted I still have the play. Again I'd say it was the rack bush but I did that a few months ago.

 

What milage has yours done? Mines on 127k and had an easy life sat on the motorway and not thrashed

 

Just deleted my messages mate so should be able to receive now

 

I've done the same as you but I've still got play in the steering when the wheels are chocked. I may have damaged it/the UJ when I fitted the bush and strapped the steering wheel over to the left. The lock mechanism slowly wound itself on and put a lot of tension into the mechanism when I came to release it. I assumed it was ok. Maybe not?

The UJ exposed in the footwell seems solid. Must be one underneath into the rack

 

anyone changed the torque reaction arms? That improve things?

 

Did you say you did the swivel bearings? I'm considering it. That improve things any?

What about anti-twist links. They're cheap and easy to do.

I might change the anti-twist links and ARB drop links and reassess.

Lack of decent Xenon output plus constant wandering is making driving a bit of a disappointment these days

 

Yep and Mr Auto also sells through eBay. I bought some plus drop links on Tuesday. Drop links arrived Thursday. TRW are the OE suppliers for Renault, just like the track rod joints and track rod ends.
This is for a pair of each:

 

Not got to it yet.

Took the advantage of the break in the rain to fit the headlamp bulbs.

Still waiting on the twist joints as MrA sent them out separately.

 

Wilco

 

Gutted:

 

I've messaged them and got an out of office reply.

I'll let you know when I get a response.

 

Well I got a full refund, including the ARB droplinks id already fitted. So free droplinks.

Got the twist links off eBay. Proper TRW ones.

All fitted yesterday with new TRW track rod ends.

Steering feels much beefier now!

 

Yeah I could need a recon rack too. Will a standard Megane rack be applicable?

At the moment the swivel bearings are a priority.