Steering rack noise

[roilo]

Hi.

My older Volvo (V70 -00) has been out of use for some years but recently I tried to take it in use. In the vehicle inspection they found a strange noise from the steering rack. The sound comes (I think) from the input shaft housing. The rack has however no play, just the cracking sound. I wonder if it is possible just to change some component in the housing instead of installing 1000$ factory renoved steering rack. But first the failing component should be identified I have some sound samples below..

NOTE, the sound only comes... (jacked up)
1) when turnig the steering wheel fast to RIGHT
2) when turning from the wheel to LEFT (i.e. steering force acts only to other direction)

Doeas anybody have an idea which component is the cause of this noise.



In this video you can hear how faster turning gives more noise while slow turning is almost silent.

[Klausc]

I would try flushing the steering with Mobil1 ATF. That is the cheapest option and it might even work.

[roilo]

Thanks, Klausc - I have also thought about that. If it doesn't work it might give a hint what happened - e.g if theres some pieces of crunched seals in the drained oil.

One check that I'm also going to make is to take the tie rod ends off to make sure that the sound is not a reflection from seized / failed strut bearing.

[misha]

The sound is purely mechanical.
I would check the steering propshaft....between the steering column and the rack from the 1st video.