Steering rack creeking? - 2003-04 Mach 1 Registry Owners Club

boostme · 11-06-2008, 07:19 AM

I'm trying to diagnose this creek and would like to know if anyone who for sure had it could tell me something. Did your creek temporarily stop when it rained? I've noticed that when it rains the creeking goes away. I'm not sure if the parts that are worn or rubbing are getting wet thus deleting this. I've lubed, greased, tightened everything I could see down there, still creeking. I can't imagined that I am missing something and the rain is getting it. Sorry for the long post, any help would be great.

bluoval · 11-06-2008, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boostme

I'm trying to diagnose this creek and would like to know if anyone who for sure had it could tell me something. Did your creek temporarily stop when it rained? I've noticed that when it rains the creeking goes away. I'm not sure if the parts that are worn or rubbing are getting wet thus deleting this. I've lubed, greased, tightened everything I could see down there, still creeking. I can't imagined that I am missing something and the rain is getting it. Sorry for the long post, any help would be great.

I think there was a TSB/recall issued to correct "creaking" steering racks
on the '04's....

I also know the front struts creak (on my Mach) from time to time when backing out of my steep driveway.....

j rick kirby · 11-06-2008, 08:20 AM

The way the dealership will try to fix the creaking rack is to hammer the nuts on with an air gun.This may stop it for a while.But what happens is that that big washer on the front gets crushed against the sleeve and that rubbing is what causes the noise.Sooooo get some poly bushings and torque to spec which I think is 35 lbs and your creaking rack problem is gone.Your steering will also be more precise with no increase in NVH.

boostme · 11-06-2008, 10:10 AM

Thanks guys. I know about the TSB for the steering creek, I was just trying to see if that is what mine is since it stops when it rains. I guess I will just switch out the bushings and see what happens. Thanks.

Nor Cal Mach · 11-07-2008, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluoval

I think there was a TSB/recall issued to correct "creaking" steering racks
on the '04's....

I also know the front struts creak (on my Mach) from time to time when backing out of my steep driveway.....

Got that same problem but mine is everytime I turn it squeeks. Time for new shocks and struts

j rick kirby · 11-10-2008, 11:46 AM

Might not be struts.There is a TSB for control arms.Had mine replaced due to creaking/squeaking.Make sure they don't install GT pieces.They did on mine and when I caught it they got to change them again.

Nor Cal Mach · 11-10-2008, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j rick kirby

Might not be struts.There is a TSB for control arms.Had mine replaced due to creaking/squeaking.Make sure they don't install GT pieces.They did on mine and when I caught it they got to change them again.

What would one have to take with them to the dealership to get that fixed?

j rick kirby · 11-11-2008, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bay Area Mach

What would one have to take with them to the dealership to get that fixed?

I would think that taking the car would be a good place to start.Sorry,I couldn't help it.

Nor Cal Mach · 11-11-2008, 08:33 AM

I also think it would be a great idea if I knew what to take with me otherwise I'm buyn new shocks and struts

j rick kirby · 11-11-2008, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bay Area Mach

I also think it would be a great idea if I knew what to take with me otherwise I'm buyn new shocks and struts

I think we are experiencing a comm error.Take your car to the Stealership and tell them about the noise and tell them that there is a TSB on the front control arms making noise and you think that maybe that's where the noise is coming from.When the suspension compresses and rebounds it makes the noise which makes alot of people thing it's the struts.When does yours make the noise?

Nor Cal Mach · 11-11-2008, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j rick kirby

I think we are experiencing a comm error.Take your car to the Stealership and tell them about the noise and tell them that there is a TSB on the front control arms making noise and you think that maybe that's where the noise is coming from.When the suspension compresses and rebounds it makes the noise which makes alot of people thing it's the struts.When does yours make the noise?

Mine does it when the wheel is turned when backing up usually. Even when I get out of the car it will make it since the car rocks when someone gets in or out of it. I think your right its when they are compressed.

j rick kirby · 11-12-2008, 06:44 AM

Good chance it's the CAs.

Nor Cal Mach · 11-12-2008, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j rick kirby

Good chance it's the CAs.

I'll take it in and have them take a look. If it still makes noise after new shocks and struts for my poney

eatonmach1 · 11-12-2008, 12:20 PM

My car done this when I got it. It it the rack mount metal busings. If you look under the car you will see what I am talking about. Does it make a tick or tock sound like metal? They are about $20 at ford. Took me about three weeks to figure it out.

j rick kirby · 11-12-2008, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bay Area Mach

I'll take it in and have them take a look. If it still makes noise after new shocks and struts for my poney

Sounds like you're gonna get some new shocks no matter what.What kind havw you settled on?

Macho 1 · 11-12-2008, 01:58 PM

Could be a ball joint. Mine went bad. Squeeled like a pig everytime I turned the wheel or hit a bump. Was qute embarrassing.

11-06-2008, 07:19 AM	#1
boostme Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Antonio, Tx Posts: 24	Steering rack creeking? I'm trying to diagnose this creek and would like to know if anyone who for sure had it could tell me something. Did your creek temporarily stop when it rained? I've noticed that when it rains the creeking goes away. I'm not sure if the parts that are worn or rubbing are getting wet thus deleting this. I've lubed, greased, tightened everything I could see down there, still creeking. I can't imagined that I am missing something and the rain is getting it. Sorry for the long post, any help would be great. __________________ Black 2002 GT: Proturbokit @8#'s, 430rwhp 505rwtq. MM coilovers with Bilstein struts, MM cc plates and subframes, Tri-ax, Greddy Profec b ebc, SLP LM1 catback, 03 Cobra front bumper, s281 wing, 00 Cobra R hood, Tubular A arms and K member, FX-R bi-xenon retrofitted HID's, Blazer retrofitted HID foglights

11-06-2008, 08:20 AM	#3
j rick kirby Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Winston-Salem,NC Posts: 1,802	Re: Steering rack creeking? The way the dealership will try to fix the creaking rack is to hammer the nuts on with an air gun.This may stop it for a while.But what happens is that that big washer on the front gets crushed against the sleeve and that rubbing is what causes the noise.Sooooo get some poly bushings and torque to spec which I think is 35 lbs and your creaking rack problem is gone.Your steering will also be more precise with no increase in NVH. __________________ 2003 Azure mach1 5 speed with IUP Maximum Motorsports R&T Box with Torque Arm and lots of other bits and pieces here and there 2012 Candy Red Metalic Premium GT with Brembo/Trak Pak and 373s HPDE Instructor

11-06-2008, 10:10 AM	#4
boostme Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Antonio, Tx Posts: 24	Re: Steering rack creeking? Thanks guys. I know about the TSB for the steering creek, I was just trying to see if that is what mine is since it stops when it rains. I guess I will just switch out the bushings and see what happens. Thanks. __________________ Black 2002 GT: Proturbokit @8#'s, 430rwhp 505rwtq. MM coilovers with Bilstein struts, MM cc plates and subframes, Tri-ax, Greddy Profec b ebc, SLP LM1 catback, 03 Cobra front bumper, s281 wing, 00 Cobra R hood, Tubular A arms and K member, FX-R bi-xenon retrofitted HID's, Blazer retrofitted HID foglights

11-10-2008, 11:46 AM	#6
j rick kirby Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Winston-Salem,NC Posts: 1,802	Re: Steering rack creeking? Might not be struts.There is a TSB for control arms.Had mine replaced due to creaking/squeaking.Make sure they don't install GT pieces.They did on mine and when I caught it they got to change them again. __________________ 2003 Azure mach1 5 speed with IUP Maximum Motorsports R&T Box with Torque Arm and lots of other bits and pieces here and there 2012 Candy Red Metalic Premium GT with Brembo/Trak Pak and 373s HPDE Instructor

11-11-2008, 08:33 AM	#9
Nor Cal Mach Mach-O-Haulic Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 716	Re: Steering rack creeking? I also think it would be a great idea if I knew what to take with me otherwise I'm buyn new shocks and struts

11-12-2008, 06:44 AM	#12
j rick kirby Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Winston-Salem,NC Posts: 1,802	Re: Steering rack creeking? Good chance it's the CAs. __________________ 2003 Azure mach1 5 speed with IUP Maximum Motorsports R&T Box with Torque Arm and lots of other bits and pieces here and there 2012 Candy Red Metalic Premium GT with Brembo/Trak Pak and 373s HPDE Instructor

11-12-2008, 12:20 PM	#14
eatonmach1 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Pikeville, KY Posts: 524	Re: Steering rack creeking? My car done this when I got it. It it the rack mount metal busings. If you look under the car you will see what I am talking about. Does it make a tick or tock sound like metal? They are about $20 at ford. Took me about three weeks to figure it out. __________________ 2003 Black 5 Speed 3.73's PRO 50 Shifter, Aluminum Driveshaft 2003 Ox White Cobra 3.2 Pulley Pro 50 Shifter Sticky Nittos What else do ya need :ORANGE:

11-12-2008, 01:58 PM	#16
Macho 1 Moose Magnet Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 357	Re: Steering rack creeking? Could be a ball joint. Mine went bad. Squeeled like a pig everytime I turned the wheel or hit a bump. Was qute embarrassing. __________________ 04 Azure Blue Mach 1 K&N CAI, Steeda 2pt strut brace, Sport Springs, U&L Rear CA, & Tri-ax Shifter, SS Brakelines, X2 Balljoints and Adj Tie rods. Fiore Quadrant & MM CC Plates, HD Bilsteins, Roy's 1/2" spacer, XCal2, 17"x9" wheels, Bassani catted X, Magnaflow Catback RWHP: 285 @5100, FWTQ: 351@4300, FWHP 335@6100

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