RX8 Steering Knocking Noise

[Prototype]

Steering Knocking Noise

I just want to check and see if the noise I am hearing is a trait of the RX8 going over a rough road. Basically when I’m driving on a normal well maintained road surface the steering is silent. If I drive on a badly surfaced road or a concrete surface (I.E a ribbed concrete surface like Bewl waters drive in) I can hear a loud hollow knocking sound though the steering wheel. It is not the airbag as I have put pressure on it and the noise doesn’t change.

The car has only covered 6,000 miles so I doubt it’s a worn bush.
I do tend to hear every little noise the car makes so I just wanted to check I’ve not picked up on a sound everyone has.

I have included a sample sound clip, your thoughts or personal steering noises please?  

[seanp]

Sounds not unlike mine ... but I think there\'s a few squeaks and rattles appeared in my car\'s 4 years of \'enthusiastic\' driving, and I usually try to drown them out with the engine sound or CDs :lol:  

However, can you \'feel\' anything odd through the wheel to accompany the rattle? Also, the \'drivers seat\' squeak (usually heard whilst cornering) is often attributed to the steering wheel...

Maybe a few of our friends over at rx8ownersclub.co.uk could shed more light?

[Prototype]

I think I can feel it through the wheel but It’s hard to tell due to being shaken to bits on the road in the first place and it’s only on certain roads. It\'s annoyingly worse on one road right near my house.

I think I need to drive or be a passenger in another RX8 to compare it:burnout

I have briefly had it on a ramp to check the rack isn’t loose.

I did think it was the big black engine cover hitting the battery box today so I removed it but the noise is still there lol. I can normally live with the odd rattle but this is just annoying me. I am now considering removing the airbag and seeing what sounds it makes as it’s a very hollow rattle but I don’t want to end up with a airbag light which needs to be turned off by the dealer

Have also posted on the other forum but not had many people comment so I’m still at a loss.

Thank you for commenting  :Thumbs-up

[clive]

Hi Philip,

Mine now has 10K on it and does not make any sort of banging noises and not heard of any issues surrounding steering on RX-8\'s,

It may be an idea to look at how the column is attached to the dashboard bar as this may be transmiting the noise you describe,

I will try and pop up to see you and while I am there I will have a look and see if I can sus it out.

[Prototype]

Thanks Clive that would be great!!!

[Prototype]

******FIXED******

Basically the knocking noise was finally found to be a faulty steering rack after the dealer changed it for another one in desperation.

My car has done 6125 miles and is 19 months old.

Thought I would post the solution as it was so hard to find I think they almost gave up because you wouldn\'t expect it to be the rack lol