For a while the car has made a knocking sound when going over a bump or dip in the road ... but only when going over a bump.
At first I thought it was the suspension, but I found that when the knocking is at its loudest, the steering is slightly odd ... meaning, I can wiggle the wheel slightly and the wheels dont feel as if they are turning, it also pulls to one side when breaking and then centre's iteself when not braking.

The car went to the garage yesterday, and my mate said he thinks its the steering rack is getting worn.

Where could I get a replacement ? and how much (average) would it cost ?
I assume a XR3i would fit ?

 

Could also be a track rod end gone. Any good motorfactor will get you a steering rack and if you take your old one down alot of them will take it in as exchange should cost around 50 pound if you take your old one down then they might knock off 20 xr3i one's are the same

 

The pulling to one side when braking personally i would say is down to your brakes.......

I think i know the noise your on about my orion does the same, passenger side and every bump u can hear a sort of hollow knocking noise, been like it ever since ive had it, always passes the MOT, im not overly concerned about mine though.

I'd explore all options before u change the rack though.

 

i once had a knocking i couldnt put my hand on eventuelly did change the rack and it was gone!


but as said above that aint nothing todo with car pulling to one side , thats more worn brakes/ discs

 

Thanks for the replies people !
I just had a look on eBay, and found a reconn'd rack, so might go after it.

The pulling to one side can (but not always) happen just by letting of the throttle. After I picked the car up, the knocking was almost gone ... then it seemed louder on Saturday but has gradually gone quieter.

I've got some new discs to go on anywho, but I was going to wait until I know for sure what the knocking is.
My mate at the garage is pretty sure its the rack, he shook the wheel (on the side where the knocking is coming from) and could hear it, he also noticed its slightly worn ... and the knocking sound would be louder when driving as its getting more of a beatin'


Thanks again

 

sure its not a bottom ball joint .some times the fitting for the ball jiont in the hub is a little large and the ball jiont moves in the hub