clicking noise when turning

[gmogle]

Guys,

Been driving my car a lot lately and I have found that when doing a lot of town driving and turning full locks after an amount of time, sometimes about an hour I get a clicking/clunking/thunking noise when going over bumps but mainly when turning left. I can feel it in the steering and it feels like its coming from the front right suspension of the car. Happens more when turning left and keeps clunking as I turn the wheel, cant really feel it when turning right. Basically the more I turn left the more it clicks. I have been painting my calipers at the mo....yeah I know bit of a chav thing to do but have come across this split bush/surround on the left hand side of the car.
Would this have any effect? Is it cheap to get a replacement?

Any ideas where else to check? There are no leaks on any of the suspension struts, the springs look a tad rusty but not serious. The rubber inserts at the top of the damper that go inside the springs along the damper are perished a bit. is it worth changing these?

The fact that it occurs after doing a lot of driving and turning the wheel would seem to me its bush related because the bush is getting hot and then moving round more because its warm and supple. Maybe this isnt the case and I\'m talking out of my......

Any advice on this one would be good. If you want more pics then let me know.

Cheers,

Gareth

[MikeLMR]

yep the rubber on the track rod end looks like it is split from that photo. Grab a hold of the entire joint (hand around the steering arm and the joint) and get someone to wiggle the steering ... you should be able to feel any play. Usually if the rubber boot is split the joint will be fcuked soon after so its worth replacing anyway.

[gmogle]

Cheers for the speedy response Mate.

Is this a part I get from Mazda direct? Is it cheap ?

I will check the other side too. What about the suspension noise. Could this be it? Is it worth taking the suspension strut off to have a look?

Cheers,

Gareth

[MikeLMR]

if there is play in the joint its quite likely that this is the cause of the noise.

[Initial-D]

One of mines split too, I think we can get a discount through certain Mazda dealers through the club - Maybe worth askin RE:Worx / Dragon to see what they can do on Mazda or aftermarket replacements. Fingers crossed there not too expensive eh!!

[gmogle]

Been quoted £35 for the new track rod. Can anyone do better?

Gareth