Steering rack making noise

Track rod ends most likely, unlikely to be the steering rack. The rack itself might be moving in it's mounting points and just needs nipping up. How mant miles on the car?

 

The noise coming from you steering rack could be one of a few things Bruno.

And I have seen all these issues happen before in a lot of different models of cars. Including Ferrari.

1- Worn tie-rod ends.

2- Worn inner rack ends.

3- Worn bushes inside steering rack.

4- Worn bushes that bolt rack onto body.

I will go out on a limb here and go with #3 and say the steering rack bushes are worn out inside the rack. **Well, one bush is worn out on whichever side is knocking**

That is probably why your mechanic said the steering rack needs to be rebuilt.

If you're keen, jack the car up on whichever side it is making the noise and have a look, listen and feel for yourself.

Be sure to place a chassis stand under the car when working underneath a car that is jacked up and have someone wiggle/turn the steering wheel for you with the engine switched off while you listen and look for the noise from the steering rack.

It's very easy to diagnose and I wish you all the best with it.

 

My advice would be to leave the front wheels loaded by putting the car on a ramp and get a friend or your mechanic to locate the noise as you turn the wheel back and forth. This will give you the solution.
All the best Bell Bloke.
Ps. 25,000miles it's not likely to be a worn out rack, my money is on movement between the rack and the car or track rods.

 

I just repaired this in a 3.2, but your model is the one w/ power steering ... correct? I'm afraid any advice I could give would merely add confusion, but if anyone thinks it transfers to a T, let me know.

 

My 348 has 27,000 miles on it and the LH rack bush *inside the tube* was gone. It had crumbled away to nothing a few thousand miles ago.

If the mechanic is talking about a steering rack rebuild, I assume it's because this bush is worn also in Bruno's car.

If it's a worn tie-rod end, inner rack end or bushes that bolt the rack into the car, the steering rack doesn't need to be rebuilt.

But again, if the mechanic states he needs the rack to be rebuilt one day then it's obviously an issue inside the rack.

That or the mechanic is trying to take Bruno for a ride.....

 

My bet is on the passenger side inner bushing. Very very common on these racks. And a easy fix. Look for DeTomaso Pantera bushing on the net. Don't try Ferrari.

 

Here is an example of what I am talking about to make a little more clear for those who are not sure which parts are which in the steering rack.

Circled in red is the inner steering rack bush, which is what I think has failed in Bruno's car prompting the mechanic to make mention of a steering rack rebuild in future.

All the other circled parts can be replaced without rebuilding the steering rack.

Circled in blue are the outer tie-rod ends.

Circled in green are the inner rack-ends.

Circled in yellow are the steering rack mounting bushes.

Hope this picture makes it a little easier to understand.

*This generic pic is of a steering rack with NO power steering I got from Google*
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That is great to hear Bruno, take care and enjoy.

 

Sorry to revive old thread, but im doing rack rebuild on my 348. its the rack bush that had play on it. I dont know can u get rebuild kit for it but i made my own bush. Only notable thing is that trw oe bush has locking tabs to prevent bush movement. I made press fit bush so you need to make breathing slots to it, otherwise it would balloon the gaitor. And use suitable fluidgrease.
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One small detail to remember, the Mondial t, as per the one owned by the OP, has power steering.

HYDRAULIC STEERING BOX AND LINKAGE - Ricambi America, Inc.
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Yea, daaaaamn. Posted in wrong section while searched threads