HELP ME SAVE MY PUG!!!

[rapport25]

Hi hope everone is enjoying the gorgeous weather!!!!

I have not been on for a while so I hope everyone that knows Rappy is keeping well .

Picture this a gleamming pug Looks spotless. Untill we have the warm weather that is . Dont get me wrong I love the warmer weather but my pug does not.

Get above 22 degrees then I have a rather annoying knocking noise. You can hear it as you drive along but only slightly. It sounds like its the drivers side. I turn on my drive or come to park the pug and its very very loud. People stare as the noise is that bad

I have tried greasing everything on the drivers side including the steering rack which seems to make it a bit quiter untill the car gets upto temperature that is.

My mate who does alot of work on Pug had told me around 2 years ago there is a slight bit of play in the steering rack and if it gets alot worse which it is now!!!!!!!!!! I would need a new steering rack which is mega money

ANy suggestions as I wont be paying out for a steering rack. Car has covered around 170,000 now. Does that sound about right for needing a new steering rack?

Any help I would appreciate it.

Can anyone save my Pug before i decide to get rid!!!!

Thanks in advance Rappy

[jasper5]

I doubt very much if the problem is a worn out steering rack, the problem would be there all the time, not related to temperature.

The D bushes in the anti roll bar would be top of my list, then anti roll bar link rod, possible bottom ball joint or lower suspension wishbone bushes.

Get a crowbar under the anti roll bar and lever it up and down looking for any movement, same with the bottom ball joint and suspension bushes.

Have a look at the top suspension mounts.

Jack up the wheel and feel for play, side to side and up and down.

[Jimby]

I agree with Jasper, but if you do end up having to replace the rack, dont get a new one, they cost mega-bucks. I recently had my steering rack fail, and when researching, found one costing over £700!!! So, in the end, i got one from my local car recycling place. got it for £35!! They even took it off the old car for me!

I know that second-hand bits may not last as long, but sod it, i could buy quite a few second hand steering racks before it got to the price of a new one!! besides, the whole car's probably only worth £500 at the most!!!

[rapport25]

Thanks guys I hope it a far cheaper fix than a new rack!!! I agree it seems more like a bush as its related to temperature. Have given it a good spay anything rubber looking on the drivers side.

What made you change your rack? What were your symptoms?

Regards,

Rappy

[Welly]

Hi Rappy!

Jasper's suggestion sound sensible to me, I don't think it'll be anything major.

Welly.

[rapport25]

If you get in the car get a slight creak. And if youm turn the wheel when not moving you get a creak.

Hope someone else had the same problem!!!

In taking my car to the local pug dealer on sat to diagnosis the problem.

Anyone get any ideas of costs for what jasper said?

Thanks Rappy

[jasper5]

I had my brother round this afternoon with a problem on his replacement for his 406, I asked him about a similar problem we had on his, he remembered that we changed the anti roll bar link rod to get rid of the noise, one of the two ball joints had got rusty and was creaking.These are fairly cheap to replace, other day I replaced them on my 406, they were £9 each.

The D bushes are cheap to replace as well, can't just remember how much the bottom ball joint costs to replace, it depends how easy they are to get out of the bottom arm, some are easier than others, they can sieze in.

Can you get someone to work the steering whilst you have a listen to where the creak is coming from?

[rapport25]

Thanks for your help Jasper.

Rappy

[rapport25]

Have just got back from the local pug dealer. Have to say very very good service They gave my pug a free full inspection. The only advise was n/s front fog light does not work thats it.

Also very complimentry of my 406's condition and mileage. None of the usual bullshit you hear fromm many dealers.

The reason I went there was for some advise on the knocking noise and they cant find it due to crap weather and colder temperatures. No play at all in the front suspension. They said the usual drop links anti roll bar bushes. But they all seem fine with no sign of wear.

They had said I can See you have greased the drivers side very well

They susspect like I do the warmer weather is simply drying out the rubber but with so much grease applied they cant understand it .

Rappy