Hi,

Car - 1.25 Fiesta mk5 (2001/02) petrol, manual, all as standard, no mods.

Last few weeks, have (sadly) had to have the CAT replaced, and a couple of weeks after this, I noticed a slight knocking when turning right, and only when turning right in certain local places.

Notified local mechanic I use, and he kindly got me in quick, and on the hoist checked over suspension, bearings, drop links, cv joint etc, and couldn't find anything either loose, or that might be failing. Suggested I carried on and see if problem got worse.

Couple more weeks on (now) it has got worse, and has gone back to mechanic today. He has suggested something that sounds right, but would welcome any thoughts on it.

Symptoms:

1. When turning right, nearer to full lock, 'knocking' comes on, and you can feel it through front of the car. very audible, and only when turning right. Not solitary knocking, but repeated knocking while car is going to right.

2. There has been over the last few weeks, when weather has been hotter, a slight 'creaking' noise coming from the steering when turning. Not all the time, only now and then.

3. Saturday, when driving around a city (Norwich) when pulling away from traffic lights, stopping and starting frequently, there was a slight knocking coming from front/drivers side area when pulling away. This is the only time this has happened, the rest of the knocking only comes when turning right.

4. There has been a general feeling that the car feels 'heavier' at the front over bumps, with suspension not taking out enough of the bumps when going over them. Nothing major, and it could just be me 'worrying' about this knocking mainly when turning, but thought it worth mentioning. No knocking noise when gently rocking the front of the car in stationary position

5. There has also been a general feeling when driving and hearing this knock that something underneath the car is moving 'independently' of the rest, almost as if something isn't fixed, so as it knocks, it's almost as if I can feel something moving differently to rest of car as she goes along (not sure if that explains it well enough, hope you get the idea)

Mechanic has checked car up in air on hoist and today on ground as a dead weight, with him in pit underneath. He has checked suspension, bearings, drop links, springs, struts, cv joint etc, and then with a friend tried turning steering wheel on full lock (to right) while car was on ground, and got a small knocking at the front/driver's side, which he is believes is coming from the steering rack.

A quick google search suggests this is a fairly common problem, (he himself also checked google as a back up to say that it looks fairly common) can anyone confirm this? Mechanic is going to look at reconditioned part price tomorrow, and give me an idea about costs, suggesting that a few things have to be 'ideally' taken out/off to safely get the steering rack in place - including part of the CAT he replaced a few weeks ago. (sadly)

Anyone have any thoughts on this, or had similar issues? Any idea of likely cost with parts/ labour/ hours etc?

Many thanks for looking, much appreciated, and thanks in advance for any help/comments you can give.

Thanks

Si