Power steering rack failure

Abdul Ardate

Abdul Ardate

Member
Car
2014 QX70S 5.0 V8
Name
Abdul
Ok. Need some guidance here.

2014 QX70S V8. Noticed spring popping/ clunk type of noise when making full turns while car is stationary or moving slowly when parking.

After dealership inspection they suggested REPLACE POWER STEERING RACK AS FIRST STEP.

Bill: $2,800!!!!!

Has anyone run into this issue? Any help or guidance would be appreciated.
 
Did they check the cv joints? When there is clicking at full lock, that could be a symptom of failing cv joints in 4wd and awd vehicles. The clicking is usually constant at full lock when turning and moving.
I also here click or two when I'm at full lock backing into my garage from a stop, so I'm curious in what you find out.

I personally would get a second opinion and take it to a good mechanic before shelling out almost $3k to the dealer.
 
NicksQX70five0 said:
Did they check the cv joints? When there is clicking at full lock, that could be a symptom of failing cv joints in 4wd and awd vehicles. The clicking is usually constant at full lock when turning and moving.
I also here click or two when I'm at full lock backing into my garage from a stop, so I'm curious in what you find out.

I personally would get a second opinion and take it to a good mechanic before shelling out almost $3k to the dealer.
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The clicking popping noise isn’t at full lock and only at 90% when turning the wheels left or right when stationary or moving slowly. It only pops once and pops again when turning wheels back. I am planning on taking it somewhere else to see what the diagnoses is .

And to your point, no they didn’t check the cv joint or anything else and their solution was to charge $2,800 price on “a first step” solution. Meaning they were not sure!!!!
 
“I also here click or two when I'm at full lock backing into my garage from a stop, so I'm curious in what you find out.”

Sounds like you have a similar issue! Have you had it a while and is it getting louder?

I am going to try and upload a video soon perhaps this is common in these cars?
 
I've heard it for maybe 2-3 months and it doesn't seem to be getting louder or more frequent...actually I've only owned the car since Feb and maybe I didn't notice it with the windows up, so it could have been doing it the whole time.
I don't feel anything in the steering wheel when it happens, so I kind of ignored it.
I just had my 60k service done 3 weeks ago and should have told the dealer to check it out.

Now I'm a little more worried and will have to test it out in a parking lot more thoroughly and scientifically...fun stuff!
 
I just tested and made a video in my QX70 and it clicks quite a few times while turning it back and forth. Is this the same that's happening to yours? Now I'm a quite concerned having to shell out $3k for a new power steering rack.

 
Thanks for posting man. Thats exactly what I have. I am taking it to an independent shop Tuesday. I will keep you posted. Even if it’s the steering rack, we can probably get that fixed for like $1k. Dealership prices are usually 3 folds.
 
Ok so took it to an independent shop. They drive it heard the noise and put it on the lift and looked around and they don’t know what is causing it.

The guy said he thinks it could be the steering rack bushings but wasn’t sure and said it could be other things too.


The recommendation from the independent shop is to not do anything to it and only fix it if and when it breaks!!!

I am going to see if I can get a 3rd opinion in the next few weeks.
 
I was thinking steering rack bushings as well. Cheap fix if that is what it is, I would start there and work my way up ($>$$>$$$).
 
early first Gens (before 3/07) had upper strut mounts that had failed bearings. While turning wheel & vehicle stationary, Made similar clicking sounds when the bearings fell out & was repaired by a factory revised plastic delrin disc. Highly doubt anything like that, but would be curious as to what the design is on 2nd gen.

& this setup/design is also easily swapped out when coilovers are installed

Dealers are way overpriced. I had a failed rack & changed it out for reman'd rack with warranty. Part cost was under 350-. Works like OE new
 
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gto said:
early first Gens (before 3/07) had upper strut mounts that had failed bearings. While turning wheel & vehicle stationary, Made similar clicking sounds when the bearings fell out & was repaired by a factory revised plastic delrin disc. Highly doubt anything like that, but would be curious as to what the design is on 2nd gen.

& this setup/design is also easily swapped out when coilovers are installed

Dealers are way overpriced. I had a failed rack & changed it out for reman'd rack with warranty. Part cost was under 350-. Works like OE new
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Thanks for the input. Definitely not letting the dealership touch it. I really had a good experience with the Infiniti dealership up in Michigan, I just moved to Houston and I can tell the difference in the way they behaved and treated the issue; I just don’t trust them.

I am taking the car for a 3rd opinion next week. I will keep everyone posted.
 
that's too bad. I trust my local dealer, they just charge alot . . so I rarely visit. The coffee's good though & fridge is packed with water to go. Fortunately, I have an independent who's a total gearhead, so if it's something I cant figure out or dont have the time to do myself, I check in
 
Different vehicle but I took my wife’s Avalon in for an oil change. Dealership says OMG your steering rack is shot, leaking oil from everywhere. I told them to put it back together, they said we don’t recommend you drive it. Imminent danger of complete failure. $1,800 to fix.
Took to independent shop, they pulled the rack and found nothing wrong. $100 and 1year later, still driving like new.
 
Mcontrols said:
Different vehicle but I took my wife’s Avalon in for an oil change. Dealership says OMG your steering rack is shot, leaking oil from everywhere. I told them to put it back together, they said we don’t recommend you drive it. Imminent danger of complete failure. $1,800 to fix.
Took to independent shop, they pulled the rack and found nothing wrong. $100 and 1year later, still driving like new.
Click to expand...
So where was the oil coming from?
 
Mcontrols said:
Different vehicle but I took my wife’s Avalon in for an oil change. Dealership says OMG your steering rack is shot, leaking oil from everywhere. I told them to put it back together, they said we don’t recommend you drive it. Imminent danger of complete failure. $1,800 to fix.
Took to independent shop, they pulled the rack and found nothing wrong. $100 and 1year later, still driving like new.
Click to expand...
In my case the dealer was right; just more expensive. I had 3 independent shops verify their fix with varying cost.

I ended up purchasing the part from amazon and will be installing it within a week or two.
 
I bought my '05 FX45 two months ago with 196k miles on the clock. Because of this thread I'll soon be doing a full drain/fill of my power steering system. Not sure if that will buy some time before my rack breaks down but it's worth trying.
 
It wont hurt. I use a turkey baster & change out the tank every so often. when it smells a little fishy & darkens up a bit
 
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