SOLVED! Turning Steering Noise Trailblazer

[wormwood1978]

2008 TB, 118k, 4.2.

A few weeks ago, I started hearing a click type noise when turning the wheel to the left. I can slightly feel it in the steering wheel as well. When I had a helper turn the wheel for me, I could feel it in the left upper ball joint/control arm. I just finished replacing that ball joint and still have the problem Steering fluid is good. Only happens when it is on the ground, not when I have the front end raised. Any suggestions what to look at or assess? Youtube video here:

Early July, I had a shop warranty replace the rack/pinion when I found it leaking. Later that month, I replaced the upper and lower control arms and ball joints (Mevotech). Had a shop do an alignment after replacing those parts.

 

[TJBaker57]

CV axles original?

 

[wormwood1978]

CV axles original?

Yes CV axles are original. I've considering that as a possibility. Tie rod ends have been changed a few times now including recently. I've also wondered about the steering shaft.

 

[Mooseman]

Definitely look at the steering shaft and its u-joint.

Did you check the inner tie rods for looseness? I had installed a pair of Mevo-junk inners and they failed within months. The R&P rebuilder might have used them too on yours. I would highly suspect any and all Mevo-junk parts. (Ask me how I know)

You didn't mention if it does it or not while moving and/or standing still and turning the wheel. That knocking sound is pretty loud and you would think it could be seen and felt where it's coming from.

 

[gmonly]

You can see, he is sitting still. It would do it sitting or moving because it is on the ground. Jack the front of the ground, put a few blocks under the wheels to have that pressure, have someone turn the steering till you hear a click, that would put you in the right area to look at. Be safe and do not go under the vehicle, you can look and know where it is coming from within a safe distance of under it, jack stands would also help for safety.

 

[Mooseman]

You can see, he is sitting still.

Yes, I saw that but my question is still valid. If it does it only while not moving, it could be an indication of a problem with the R&P since it takes more force to move the wheels while not moving. Wheels in the air has no stress at all so no noise. While moving, there is less stress but more than in the air.

The more info we can get, the better we might solve this issue.

 

[gmonly]

That is why I said to put blocks under the wheels to make that pressure, by having it up, you can see and pinpoint the area the noise is coming from. I would be nervous to drive it with that noise. If it was a ball joint, you can check that with a long pry bar and the tire just off the ground, by prying the tire up and down. Another question would be did he check any movement with the tire just off the ground, left and right, up and down, top pushed in and bottom pushed in? Normal garage inspection test of the front end.

 

[wormwood1978]

I'm pretty certain it is not suspension related. I had it up again and used a pry bar on various parts, wiggled the tires side to side, up and down. My phone seems to magnify the sound and made it sound louder than what it is. Outer tire rods solid, ball joints new and solid, upper and lower control arms new and solid. I video recorded both wheel areas when the sound was being made and didn't see any movement or jerking in the components.

I think it is steering shaft related, perhaps rack/pinion, inner tie rod or cv shaft. I'm having my local shop look it at a week from this Monday.

 

[wormwood1978]

Follow up to my post. Had it into my local shop. which I will call shop B. They are saying that the boots on the rack/pinion on both sides are actually making the noise and sent me a video of the boot actually doing what they say it is doing. They say nothing is mechanically wrong and asked if I could live with the minor annoyance and I said yes. I'm going to be working on the vehicle in the next week and will attempt to video it.

There is a little background to this. I had shop A replace the rack/pion two years and 20k ago with a Napa Reman after I noticed the original leaking a bit. Shop A sold the business to shop B last year. I noticed the rack/pinion leaking in July of this year (2024). Shop B warrantied the rack/pinion part but charged me labor. Shop B is who I just had it at. They are blaming the noise on poor fitting rack/pinion boots and don't think Napa will warranty it for this.

I think I'm okay with living with this if it is just poor fitting boots but I do have a slight concern that the inner tie rods which the boots cover might be the true problem.

 

[mrrsm]

So... Are the People working at Shop "B" implying that there is some kind of a phenomena happening... perhaps with having a "chattering" Hydraulic Cylinder Action occurring... and then those *vibrations* are then being magnified or amplified and transmitted as 'sound vibrations' echoing inside of the Two Flex-Boots... Like Woofers...?

If this is so, that would lead back to wondering whether or not the Power Steering Pump was --misbehaving in a weird way-- that would transmit those vibrations through the internal fluid column... into the Hydraulic Cylinder and resolving as Magnified Sound inside of those "Tubes".

While the Vehicle was at Shop "B" ,,,Did they offer to change or update the entire PS Fluid for Quantity and Different Manufacturer being used inside of the Reservoir, PS Pump and the Hi-Lo Fluid Lines to mitigate the "noise"? It would seem like a worthwhile possibility to focus on this area ...and further this investigation.

 

[gmonly]

That is the first time I have heard of the boots making that noise. If it was just the boots, why not just change them boots, because you had them on it for 20K miles without that noise. It sure sounds fishy to me, and I have been working on vehicles for over 50 years. Do a video on the noise, it will clear things up some.

 

[wormwood1978]

That is the first time I have heard of the boots making that noise. If it was just the boots, why not just change them boots, because you had them on it for 20K miles without that noise. It sure sounds fishy to me, and I have been working on vehicles for over 50 years. Do a video on the noise, it will clear things up some.

Actually the warrantied rack pinion was just replaced in July and probably only has 1-2k on it. It was fine for a couple months but not now. The video he showed me was the inner tie rod boot actually popping/snapping into place when turning the wheel.

 

[gmonly]

Are you sure it is the inner tie rod boot and not the inner tie rod? Like I said, I have never heard the boot make that noise before. I understand the boot does move some, but to pop like that is not normal.

 

[mrrsm]

You have probably done this procedure yourself...But Just In Case Not... Raise the Front End and support both Frame Rails on Sturdy Jack Stands.

Then have an "Assistant" Turn the Steering Wheel From STOP to STOP... Over and Over...VERY SLOWLY...while you listen to the interior of the Power Steering Pump Fluid Reservoir... with The Cap OFF. Ensure ahead that the Nominal Fluid Level is present within.

Perform this same observation style of --Looking and --Listening-- Actions with the Rear Wheels Chocked and with the Engine at Idle. Move around to both sides of the areas of the Rack & Pinion Steering... Looking for any evidence of Strange Shaking, Binding or Odd Vibrations.

Very Carefully... Place your Hands upon the working apparatus, such that your Hands and Fingers are NOT in Danger of Pinching or Crushing Injuries and add the sensation of TOUCH to your Diagnostic Calculus. Let us know what if anything appears that you discover.

 

[wormwood1978]

Just an update to this, I don't think it is boot noise. The shop showed me a video of the boot popping but I couldn't replicate it at home. I do feel the popping or something when holding onto the inner tie rod. I have an appt next Wed (11/13) at a different shop, a new one I'm trying out that has a good reputation.

 

[DIYguy]

For what it’s worth, I replaced both sides of my inner and outer tie rods with Delphi in early July and I’ve been happy with them so far.

Plastic cover on inner tie rod

Hi all Changing inner and outer tie rods and when I took the boot off I found this plastic cover that seems to be captive on the inner tie rod. It slides in and out about a quarter inch so I think it’s stuck on some dimension of the rack? So I can’t get the tool on the inner Is this plastic...

gmtnation.com

 

[Mooseman]

I used ACDelco after I got burned by Mevotech. Been good since.

 

[mrrsm]

This is a point that can often be overlooked even by the Best Of Mechanics...and that is to remember to get the appropriate High Pressure Grease injected through the Brand New Ball Joint Zerk Fittings and not assume that they were "Topped Off at The Factory"

 

[Mooseman]

This is a point that can often be overlooked even by the Best Of Mechanics...and that is to remember to get the appropriate High Pressure Grease injected through the Brand New Ball Joint Zerk Fittings and not assume that they were "Topped Off at The Factory"

There are none on inner tie-rods

 

[mrrsm]

Whoops... Caught from Ambush...

 

[wormwood1978]

Hopefully the final update to this.

The shop found a bolt that needed a little tightening on the rack. No more steering pop. He said it wasn't loose, just needed a little tightening. It was causing a bushing to rub against the frame. He said the other shop should have found it. They are my new go to shop when the repair is above my skill level. I honestly was scared I might be in for a new rack or fighting with other shop to replace it again.