Thread: Help... Think I'm going to lose my mind.

Originally Posted by Graeme

Tie-rod ends and rack inner joints can be checked by jacking the lower suspension arm (rather than the chasis) to get the wheel off the ground but to keep the wheels in about their usual plane. Grab the wheel and shake it left then right a few times preferably while someone else holds their hand around the joint to feel for movement.

Or...if you ( or your repairer ) have access to a 4 post hoist, get the vehicle up in the air, ( wheels on the hoist..don't lift ) have the motor started, and the steering wheel moved sharply 1/4 turn each way repeatedly while someone checks for play in the rackends and tierods. You may be able to feel play by squeezing the tierod boot, ( while the steering linkages are moving back and forward ) same for the rack boot. If you are lucky there may even be a sharp cracking or knock. Note this is not something I would recommend anyone without experience gets involved in. We don't want crushed fingers or the like.

I can say from experience that the britpart ones are definitely stiffer and harsher than oem.

Were they fitted at the correct height ? Is the car sitting correctly at the front and at even heights ? The proper procedure for doing lca involves bolts being done up with the arms at a specified height and then calibration of sensors. If not done properly this would contribute to your symptoms. But probably not to the noises you have (although if the bushes are twisted maybe, who knows).