Clunky steering when cold

[Doug_RS6]

Strange issue as it disappears when the car warms up and is non existent on warm days. It is most noticeable if the car hasn't been driven for several days and it is cold outside.

When turning the wheel particularly when stationary there is a clunk as if something is loose and you can feel a notch feeling through the wheel. It almost feels like the rack is not firmly attached. However there seems to be no play in any components and as I say it seems to be related to the cold and clears up once warm.

Only thing I could think was maybe the pump? Any ideas? I'll try and add a video but the noise is unfortunately quite quiet and mostly drowned out by the exhaust.

[welwynnick]

I would change the power steering fluid.

[Stiggles]

I chased quite a few clunks in mine lol

Driveshaft internals had snapped I assume and were rattling about like ball bearings

DRC can be clunky too, especially when cold I find it's noisier

The wheels can click from what I remember too, this was a case of the hub faces being contaminated, and could be resolved by a good cleaning of the surface and inner wheel face before re mounting. Common on R35 GTRs too

Inspect any and all heat shields? My E36 was wild for heat shields being loose

[Doug_RS6]

This is when stationary though. So can't really be any of those.

[Stiggles]

This is when stationary though. So can't really be any of those.

Dry steering is a bad habit, I'd say if you're doing it regularly then the rack will have undergone excessive wear and tear

Try a fluid flush first, could be the rack is knackered though

Could still be heat shields if stationery though

[Doug_RS6]

Yeah I really don't think its that much of an issue to occasionally steer when stationary. It's not like I'm sitting for hours winding it lock to lock. As I said this is an issue I noticed when cold only.

Noticed it manouvering out of a space so stationary/low speed turning. When moving it's still there but considerably less noticeable due to noise and road vibration.