noise from steering rack

[mjr45]

75 280Z, I put in new tie rod ends, ball joints and urethane bushings. Now when I turn the steering wheel (car off the ground) I hear a weird groaning type sound and a click at the beginning and end of travel. The groining sound is present thru out travel. Any ideas?

[5thhorsemann]

Did you pump grease into all the fittings?

[Lazeum]

You should also try to lift the car and see if noise still occurs. You could try afterwards to locate better the noise.

Check also to make sure everything is tight.

[mjr45]

All fittings have been greased including the steering rack and the car is off the ground without wheels on. On the steering rack the grease fittings were removed after greasing since leaving them on decreased the rack travel, there were no fittings on it just the threaded holes.

[Lazeum]

Can you locate the noise more precisely?

Have you also adjusted the rack bearing clearance (the one with the large nut with screw in it?)

From what you're saying, I can see the failure coming from something rubbing the intermediate shaft somewhere or the pinion/rack connection inside the rack.

[mjr45]

I haven't adjusted the rack bearing clearance, I wasn't aware I would need to make any adjustment since the rack was only taken out to replace the bushings and put on tie rod ends with new boots. I will look at the FSM for adjustment, it can't hurt.