Vauxhall Combo van: front suspension knock & uneven tyre wear.

Joined
27 Jan 2010
Messages
1,406
Reaction score
376
Location
Buckinghamshire, Darn Sarf
Country
United Kingdom
Last MoT the tester told me my 'inner steering arm joint was slightly loose'. There has been a knock in the front suspension for some months. It's NOT the drop links, but having investigated with the steering rack boot removed I can see the steering rack moving forwards when I bias the offside front wheel towards the left. It's not a 'clunk' at all, but then I probably can't put as much torque into moving the wheel as the engine can! The movement is 2-3 mm at the rack, and the steering arm joint is sound. At lower speeds, such as when starting to apply throttle after slowing for a junction, there is often a judder that reminds me of worn engine mounts/steadies - but all the mountings are OK.
The secondary symptom is that the front tyres are wearing prominently on their outer shoulders.

I've ordered a reconditioned steering rack. My questions are:
1. It seems an easy replacement, just two bolts for the rack housing. Is the electric power steering actuator also easy to remove? It seems a bit tight for space in there.
2. Is rack wear a common fault in the Combo? I'm very light on the steering, and don't turn the steering wheel unless the road wheels are turning. The van has done 160,000 miles, and I can't vouch for those miles up to 80,000.

MM
 
Sponsored Links
Back
Top