HELP! Steering noise

[anthonymtz]

Hey guys hows it going? Well I've got a little issue here, my 2004 explorer has a constant clunking noise while driving, you can even feel it in the steering wheel and the noise seems to speed up when I go faster, I had a bad tie rod on the right side so I went ahead and replaced both, but I'm still getting the same noise I've pin pointed it coming from the steering rack but I'm not sure if it is the rack and pinion or something on it like a joint that has gone bad, I took a video of it while i had someone inside turn the wheel back and forth and this is what it does, if anybody is familiar with this noise or could have an idea of what it could be I would really appreciate the input! Thanks in advance!

 

[J_C]

In the video you are turning the wheel to make the noise, yes? When you turned it that little amount, where the wheels moving? If not, seems like the pinion gear in the rack or bearing has failed.

 

[anthonymtz]

In the video you are turning the wheel to make the noise, yes? When you turned it that little amount, where the wheels moving? If not, seems like the pinion gear in the rack or bearing has failed.

No, they probably moved ever so slightly but i feel thee steering has a little bit of play, i feel like the noise is linked to the slight play in my steering wheel.

 

[J_C]

I still suspect it is the rack bearing(s) or pinion, that it needs the rack replaced or rebuilt. Not sure if it's possible that the shaft lower end is slipping on the steering rack instead. You could check that shaft lower bolt for looseness or take steering shaft off the rack to see if the rack has this slop in movement still.