Tech Question - loud clicking noise from steering

[1TJH]

Hi, I have a loud sort of clicking, popping noise coming from drivers side of my st esc cos engine bay when steering, at standstill, you can sometimes feel it through the steering wheel, but very distant.
It happens mainly when you return the steering to opposite direction, sometimes a few noises, sometimes just one.
I have just re installed the steering rack, pump, pulley and linkage after some resto work. I have a new belt installed, new PS fluid, which took an age to bleed, but this noise has appeared whilst doing the left to right bleed proceedure.
I will also add it was working 100% perfect before it came out. I also replaced the engine mounts, as the pass one had failed, as far as I could check the driveshaft was ok, but could this be linked?. Any similar experiences, or ideas would be much appreciated.

[R5COS]

Would it be a CV joint, they make a clicking sound when they are on the way out..

[1TJH]

I have checked cv joints, as best I can, but is there a particular way of checking these?, problem I have is when the cars jacked up there is no noise, so its bloody difficult to realy pinpoint.

[Mark B]

In my experience the driveshafts only make the noise when on full lock and under load

A friend had my old 3dr and he had a steering pump go and he said it was like a pair of hammers under the bonnet you wouldn't believe mine then went and it was so noisy if my friend hadn't already had a problem i would have been really concerned mine was loader when the steering was on load

I also think i found the cause when i stripped it, my filler cap breather was U/S restricting the oil flow

Try lock to lock with the cap off or very loose

[1TJH]

Hi, im not convinced its the pump, it makes no obvious noise. I have good flow back to the reservoir, just when you return the wheel the noise appears. had the car running with the cap off today and it was the same unfortunately.

[The Radman]

are you sure its not the top cups that have cracked on the front suspension? they can make some strange noises when turned lock to lock

[cosmagedon]

It will be your top mount bearing starting to seize. Done these countless times on all sorts of cars and vans

[1TJH]

Thanks for the replies, I will put those 1st on the checklist. Any tips for checking them?, Will they show any signs of wear or cracking?. must admit though it sounded more from the engine area than from the top mount.

[grcossie]

I have had 3 cracked top cups on mine, and it`s one of only a few things that Ford have a service bulletin on escos. Take of the cup at the top of damper, then you will see it on the cup who sits under the bush, around nut area

[Mark B]

I have had 3 cracked top cups on mine, and it`s one of only a few things that Ford have a service bulletin on escos. Take of the cup at the top of damper, then you will see it on the cup who sits under the bush, around nut area

I've never had that but by the sounds if it that could be your problem, i would had thought if you take the nut off the noise would stop then

[Daz 75]

ive got a noise on mine when i turn sometimes,it has got gradually worse i have checked underneath my car nothing seems worn ,it doesnt do it on full lock just when you move the steering sometimes .
when we get a nice dayi will take my front suspension of i think mine must be drivers side suspension cup or bearing

[1TJH]

I hope mines as simple as strut tops, im not convinced, it sounds more terminal to me, almost sounds like the popcorn song actually when you steer!. not holding out much hope. Im gonna change them now anyway. Does anybody know if the top cups and rubbers are still available from ford before I go up there.

[FletchCossie]

I had a noise when going over bumps, which turned out to be the ball joint rattling in the hub. Only found out after I replaced the front top mounts with bearings, got front suspension refurbished and was putting it all back together

[1TJH]

Well, found and sorted the problem today, I had not tightened the long nut enough that goes through the steering rack bush on the drivers side, causing the rack to move slightly under pressure and creating quite a noise in the process.
Must also say a big thankyou to mark at mad, I've been bombarding him with phone calls whilst ive been putting all this back together and hes been very helpfull.