Clunking When Lock To Lock

[XR68UZ]

Hi all, I just picked up a ba gt auto and ive noticed there is a clunking/clicking sound when im turning full lock (eg to park or do u turns). it doesnt happen all the time (most of the time its there though).

any ideas what it could be?

[SHAUNY]

I've got this also, at low speed cornering I get a noticable clicking noise at a certain point and also a steering shudder which has been getting worse and more frequent as time goes on....

[discostig]

Steering shudder could be air in the power steering lines I think?

Clunks at full lock are normal I think, if it's just you hitting the stops. Also try to avoid having it right on full lock as it stresses the power steering (so I'm told). Turn back like 5-10°.

[XR68UZ]

hmm just realised the car makes the noise even when not full lock. is there a way to flush the power steering fluid myself without having to take it to ford? any other possible causes for the noise?

Edited 06/02/10 01:11 AM by XR68UZ

[johnt]

My steering used to shudder at parking speeds, especially on smooth concrete carparks. Also, the power steering assistance would drop off after about 10 to 15 minutes of driving.

The solution was to add a few drops of Nulon E10 from the dregs of the bottle after adding it to the engine oil (E10 is a Teflon based engine oil additive) & after a few days, the shudder went away & the power assistance remained constant - even after an hour in heavy traffic.

I suspect that the vanes in the power steering pump stick, instead of moving freely - the Teflon film that builds up helps make them move easily.

Incidentally, I have found Nulon products work extremely well. I first used their products in industrial applications in the late 1970s ( I used to design & build custom metalworking machinery) & have used them in every car I have ever owned - you get longer engine life & about 10% better fuel economy.

I use my BAII T (auto) as my daily commute & routinely get over 500km per tankfull of fuel (unless the aircon is on a lot & it drops to about 430km) & over 600km on longer interstate trips.

One thing when using Nulon - do not use it until your engine has done at least 40,00 km or it will never fully run in - I found this out the hard way on an exchange long motor on my mini (my first car). The little bugger was slower than the old tired engine & remained tight as until I wrote it off...

John.

[Tim]

I get the same clunk. Mine does not have to be at full lock to make the noise.

It feels like it comes through the steering colomn.

[John_K]

Mine is just a click regardless of turning left or right.

Does it going through round-a-bouts & turning corners. Doesn't need to be full lock to do it to mine.

Sounds like it's coming from the steering rack / sway bar area.

[SHAUNY]

Mine doesn't have to be full lock either and sounds and feels like the steering collumn

[RowdyBurns]

Mine has just started doing it, it doesnt need to be at full lock but only happens at very slow speeds. I just assume the steering rack is loose, used to be a common problem AFAIK.

[Detonator1]

Ford used to put a spacer in your steering rack to stop this. Had mine done in 07 I believe, took alot of the noise out of it.