Steering creak in AU2 XR6

scuwp · 23-09-2006, 05:48 PM

First post here so be gentle...After a long while as a Holden fan I couldn't pass up the chance to buy a 2000 AU2 XR6, full leather, extractors, Coby big-bore etc, and for the most part could not be happier.

However I have a continuing problem with the steering creaking (clunking) and knocking noises from the front brakes when travelling around town (highway is no problems).

I understand the steering creak is a "common" problem with the Au's but searching around here I can still find no permanent cure. Has anyone come up with anything that works yet? The dealer keeps fixing it (yeah right!) but I so far am on about my 5th return visit to the workshop.

The brake noise sound like disks that don't quite fit or maybe something is loose, like there's a bit of play in there somewhere, but pulling it apart it all seems fine, and again the Ford dealer has a kinda "they all do that, don't worry about it" attitude. Most noticeable when the car 'settles' at a stop.

I like the car and with only 60 k's on the clock it's mostly like new, but this is getting plain irritating..and a new BF is a bit out of my price bracket!

Cheers :nutsycuck

BFD83 · 23-09-2006, 06:53 PM

i have the exact same problems with mine! it always sounds like the brakes are makiing like a clunking noise as i come to a stop but the pads are fine. so yeh its beyond me what it is :/

BFD83 · 23-09-2006, 06:56 PM

my mate just told me the brake noise is to do with the ball joints..apparently to do with the steering and front suspension.

scuwp · 23-09-2006, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brent83

my mate just told me the brake noise is to do with the ball joints..apparently to do with the steering and front suspension.

Yeah, I was wondering if the brake clunking noise was linked to the steering rack problem, and it's all just one big design stuff up.

ORESUMSR · 23-09-2006, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brent83

my mate just told me the brake noise is to do with the ball joints..apparently to do with the steering and front suspension.

Brent83 is spot on. I had exactly the same problem with my AUII at about 30000ks and took it into ford who said that it was dry ball joints. Fixed in no time and I've never experienced the problem since.

BFD83 · 23-09-2006, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ORESUMSR

Brent83 is spot on. I had exactly the same problem with my AUII at about 30000ks and took it into ford who said that it was dry ball joints. Fixed in no time and I've never experienced the problem since.

how much did it cost ya to get it fixed dude? i need to get mine fixed its driving me nuts!

ORESUMSR · 23-09-2006, 07:56 PM

Mine was fixed under warranty and I only waited for about a half hour for it, so I guess that just to slap a bit of grease into the ball joints, would probably cost about $40.00 at todays prices. I took mine to Surfside Ford at Miami

scuwp · 25-09-2006, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brent83

my mate just told me the brake noise is to do with the ball joints..apparently to do with the steering and front suspension.

Thanks to Brent83 for the lead. Got the dealer to stop looking at the steering rack and check the ball joints...stuffed!

Both replaced and no more problems touch wood so far ($250 bucks later mind you)

:1syellow1

Baboon_AU · 23-09-2006, 09:06 PM

genuine falcon tie rod ends are only 15 bucks each, so to grease them up, it wouldn't cost 40.

scuwp · 24-09-2006, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baboon_AU

genuine falcon tie rod ends are only 15 bucks each, so to grease them up, it wouldn't cost 40.

For the price it sounds like they replaced them, it's not like any dealer I know that would go to the extra trouble for an unconventional fix job. For $40 it's worth a shot.

I also wonder if I and the dealer have been focusing on the steering creaking noise as coming from the rack, when in fact it may be the tie rod ends doing all the clunking when maneuvering around town...does that sound possible

mik · 23-09-2006, 09:51 PM

they dont have grease nipples perhaps they inject grease through the rubber

Baboon_AU · 25-09-2006, 07:56 PM

250 bucks to replace ball joints... mate you got ripped. they are only 15 bucks each and are a peice of cake to replace.

peterban · 25-09-2006, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baboon_AU

250 bucks to replace ball joints... mate you got ripped. they are only 15 bucks each and are a peice of cake to replace.

I think they are pressed in and unless you have the special tools they are difficult for the home handyman to replace.
They sell tools at Bursons to remove them, but for one off removal not worth bothering to buy.
If a workshop has the tools it should take about 40 mins to 1 hour per side to replace them.