Suspect steering rack issue. Thoughts anyone?

[nepal1344]

So the car in question is a 2000 Protege. At about 40% turn the steering starts to clunk as you go further into rotation. This is not a cv joint clunk its as you turn the steering wheel not vehicle movement. I jacked up the front and at less than 40% everything tight no issues with ball joints or tie rods but everything gets loose after past 40% and if you shake it back and forth at 9 and 3 you can hear and feel a big thump in toward the center. Sounds like it's in the rack possible center bearing issue?

As a side note the front toe is now off a bit no impact damage and the front suspension does not compress like it used to....not sure if thats related or not.


Anyone with any opinion please let me know i'm open to hear any ideas on it.

[TheMAN]

no
more than likely it's broken strut mount bearings... they're cheap plastic crap that breaks over time... they're not integrated into the strut mount but as separate pieces instead... such a crap design

[nepal1344]

ok thanks I'll start there.