steering rattles

[smythe]

I have a 2002 freelander and for last year have noticed that the steering makes a clunking noise when going over a bumpy surface,more so when going round an bumpy roundabout ,it is a metallic rattle through the steering but you cannot feel it at all,dealer changed the drop links but is still doing it anyone else had this problem ?

[jeremyd@lge.com]

Hi Smyth,


I had the same rattles in my 2002 1.8, The dealer has replaced the steering column and the steering rack !
This has made a vast improovement but still get the noise occassionally !

I have heard that it could also be the steering damper which is located in the steering wheel itself.

Hope this helps

Jeremy

[smythe]

i`ve searched the net and there are quite a few others with the same problem,i`ve got the rave cd and had a look under the steering wheel but mine and yours would have the newer version without the mass damper in it .I don`t get it all the time but i can make the vehical do it on a bumpy roundabout near me ,it`s more annoying than you can feel it ,there must be play somewhere other than that the vehical is running fine at the moment,could do without any expensive repair bill`s at the moment now i`m just out of warrenty !

[spikes]

Hi,.
If it's any consolation, our 2001 Td4 has had the same rattle in the column since we bought it (95000km) now at 175600. It did not get worse and diagnoses varied from steering rack "Shot" to worn lower links(those were replaced under warranty) to tyre noise. As all the steering joints are without undue play, we live with it. Reminds me of my government garage 1968 PUP.
Cheers and share if you track it down.
Spikes

[smythe]

hi spikes

do you have the same sytoms as me ie:-rattles when going over a bumpy surface ,more so on a bumpy roundabout but is ok when going striaght ahead,and sometimes worse than others,if i throw the steering wheel left and right quickly while standing stationary i can feel something but is this test unreliable as the steering is not ment to do this,i wise there was some dealer mechanics on the site as the one`s i use seem to think they all do it.

[spikes]

Hi,
Yes ours is the same except for the stationerty part. With the engine runnining there is initial resistance before the power steering turns the wheels from side to side no noise though. Engine off the steering wheel hardly moves. Hope this helps. Sorry about the late reply but have been away on business. Cheers
Spikes

[smythe]

ok,
today was 48,000mile service day ,plus i asked for some extra bits to be done,most important was the steering rattle !the land rover independent fitted a new style power steering return hose(QEH000062),the hose looks a bit like it`s been sat under something heavy as it`s flat(yes that`s right ,the hose part is flat) and the theory is that the high presssure in the return hose can expand it when the oil returns when under load,well it seems to have fixed it but as the weather was pouring down when i picked it up i`ll have to wait till it`s dry,i must say that it did rattle in the rain before so i`m hopefull i`ve found the cure and if anyone as the same problem then it`s worth giving it a go,by the way there is a december 2003 TSB for this problem but the main dealer never mentioned this although i complained about the problem while i was under warrenty,it seems like i`m running out of problems that the dealer was never prepared to fix.:p

[spikes]

Hi
Thanks for the update.
On brake pad rattles, I found out at the Freelander's 220000km service that Land Rover RSA only supply pads in the "kit" Springs and backing plates are another kit. Fitted a Ferodo kit comlete with all springs etc.
Will keep an eye out for your update on the steering rattle
Spikes
PS: To any Geocachers watching the forum. I've released a TB (Ref TBK5JH) the "Roving Freelander" with the mission to travel to Solihull and return to me
SJ