Fiat ducato 2.3jtd play in steering rack end

gypo

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Afternoon all,
I've noticed after having new tyres fitted (michelin agilis) to the front a little extra noise, I thought this was road noise but it doesn't really change a lot on different surfaces, so then I thought maybe a wheel bearings.
Due to a back injury I couldn't really get it jacked up and check it out so a mate came round today and we had a look.
The wheel bearings are fine but there is a tiny bit of play on passenger side in the steering rack end, it really is a tiny bit of movement, could this be the Noise?
Thanks
D
 
Yep, more than likely. There should not be any play at all.
 
gypo said:
Afternoon all,
I've noticed after having new tyres fitted (michelin agilis) to the front a little extra noise, I thought this was road noise but it doesn't really change a lot on different surfaces, so then I thought maybe a wheel bearings.
Due to a back injury I couldn't really get it jacked up and check it out so a mate came round today and we had a look.
The wheel bearings are fine but there is a tiny bit of play on passenger side in the steering rack end, it really is a tiny bit of movement, could this be the Noise?
Thanks
D
Click to expand...
I would expect a chattering on bends with a rough surface ?
 
Thanks both,
I'll get it sorted next week, we are off in a couple of weeks for a months jolly around france :)
D
 
gypo said:
Thanks both,
I'll get it sorted next week, we are off in a couple of weeks for a months jolly around france :)
D
Click to expand...

hi
slight play in track rod end will not make a noise. but it should still be
replaced. road noise will be the different tyres or wheel bearing.
you can still get noisy wheel bearing without any play. when you had it
jacked up if you spin the wheel tou will hear the noise. but do all four
because the noise can transmit from one side to the other and be difficult
tell which bearing it is when driving.
 
Thanks for the reply I did the front 2 and they were fine, no noise and no play in the bearing. l didn't check the back tho, I'll see if I can get them done tomrw.
The play is in the steering rack end were it goes into the box, I see they are replaceable.
Thanks
D
 
It will chander on bumpy roads,cause,no lube in rack,turning steering when stationary,gen wear and tear with very high mileage.
Cure,new bush or adjustment if any on the swivel pin gear, or just change to new unit which may cost a tad.:sad:
 
Play in steering rack is likely to give wandering/vague steering response too.
What year/model/mileage.
 
yeoblade said:
Play in steering rack is likely to give wandering/vague steering response too.
What year/model/mileage.
Click to expand...

Very little if any,thats more to do with t/rod ends and ball joints,a clater is the norm on rough roads,fill it with grease helps.
 
Why did you only notice it after having new tyres fitted the wear didn,t just happen as they where fitted I should be looking at something like back plate rubbing disc or similar that could have happened thru wheel changes
 
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Thanks for all the replies ppl, the van drives A1 nothing to indicate there is a problem other than the noise, it has only done 40k
the tyres were inflated to 60psi at the tyre garage, I've let them down to 53psi, tbh I'm not sure if it has made a difference or not.
After inspecting the van yesterday the only thing out of place was there was a tiny bit of play in the passenger side steering rack end, I can't see how this would give constant road noise Tho? I can understand going round a corner maybe when it has load on it.
Cheers
D
 
gypo said:
Thanks for all the replies ppl, the van drives A1 nothing to indicate there is a problem other than the noise, it has only done 40k
the tyres were inflated to 60psi at the tyre garage, I've let them down to 53psi, tbh I'm not sure if it has made a difference or not.
After inspecting the van yesterday the only thing out of place was there was a tiny bit of play in the passenger side steering rack end, I can't see how this would give constant road noise Tho? I can understand going round a corner maybe when it has load on it.
Cheers
D
Click to expand...

It will give less noise on cornering but a clatter running strait on rough roads.
If its on the front wheels look for wheel bearings or disc splash plate problem,also look at b/pad holding pins and tension clips,loose pad or no copper slip on rear of pad,also if sliding caliper do fill the slides with grease as they clater when new pads are fitted as the slide pins are fully extended.
 
Thanks for the input, its not a clatter more of a wine, almost like a road noise, sliders are all ok as pads and discs were changed a couple of months ago, ill have another look again today and double check them tho.
Thanks
D
 
gypo said:
Thanks for the input, its not a clatter more of a wine, almost like a road noise, sliders are all ok as pads and discs were changed a couple of months ago, ill have another look again today and double check them tho.
Thanks
D
Click to expand...

A whine indicates a bearing/drive sys or something to tight or binding,the sort of thing which drives one mad to find.:hammer:
 
I’ll have a look today and then get it in to my mates garage in the week, hopefully we can get to the bottom of it:rolleyes2:
D
 
The Drumsticks certainly don't whine....They are an MOT failure though if tester finds any slack when moving the wheel by hand. This reducing the tire pressures is going to cause heavier steering of course and it will test out all the ball joints by putting extra strain on them...
 
I suspect, having experienced something similar, that new tyres need to bed in for a while. If you consider that they have been taken from a mould and never flexed in use it must take time for the sidewalls to soften.

It's rather like a new pair of shoes. Very stiff at first, it takes the warmth of your feet and actual use for them to soften and become comfortable.

Give the tyres a couple of hundred miles to run themselves in would be my suggestion.
 
The van is booked in to garage for Tomrw, I’ve asked him to change the rack end and possibly the wheel bearing to passenger side, after some reading apparently the passenger front bearing is a common problem with this year of van, some ppl changing them at 20k
I’ll report back here with the results :)
D
 
You said you had M agilis fitted ,if they are agilis camping the tyre pressure is much higher .
 
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