14 Sierra steering rack clunk, rack needs replaced

pj8556 · June 11, 2014

symptoms on my 14 Sierra 4wd, I have added 4" lift and bigger tires. \

Loud clunk heard and felt, and intermittent binding when turning hard to the left. So, a shop owner friend and I removed the inner tie rod boot and found loose parts, broken parts, metal shavings, something came loose And the steering rack is puking out parts and that is what's causing the noise binding, the loose and broke parts are causing problems with the articulAtion of the rack. More than likely is not caused by the lift cause the tie rods are not being stressed to extreme angles at all. And all the loose broken bushings and metal shavings are on the steering rack side of the tie rod, nothing changed there. Didnt even look at the driver side for damage. Goes to dealer Thursday, needs a new steering rack. And I better not get warranty coverage flack! Anyone else??

2strokesmoke · June 11, 2014

I have been hearing a loud clunk noise when I turn right all the way to stop, to backup.

Did you have to take the boots off to see the damage. I was focusing on this area as part of my front steering vibration. I did not want to void my warranty by removing them to inspect!

snarkee · June 11, 2014

Mine gets a new rack today

fondupot · June 11, 2014

It was known that some of the steering racks were bad on the trucks and several members have had them replaced under warranty. They might give you flack for the lift, but thats your own fault. The steering rack may have been fine before the lift, but the added stress from the lift components and bigger tires/wheels, might have put it over capacity, causing it to fail. Gotta pay to play.

Good luck.

2strokesmoke · June 11, 2014

symptoms on my 14 Sierra 4wd, I have added 4" lift and bigger tires. \

Loud clunk heard and felt, and intermittent binding when turning hard to the left. So, a shop owner friend and I removed the inner tie rod boot and found loose parts, broken parts, metal shavings, something came loose And the steering rack is puking out parts and that is what's causing the noise binding, the loose and broke parts are causing problems with the articulAtion of the rack. More than likely is not caused by the lift cause the tie rods are not being stressed to extreme angles at all. And all the loose broken bushings and metal shavings are on the steering rack side of the tie rod, nothing changed there. Didnt even look at the driver side for damage. Goes to dealer Thursday, needs a new steering rack. And I better not get warranty coverage flack! Anyone else??

Is there any chance you could post some pictures of the damaged steering rack.

thxs.

pj8556 · June 13, 2014

Dealer had no problem diagnosing the problem, some sort of retainer coming out of the steering gear (theres a rod that comes out and connects to the inner tie rod) well something came loose and parts started coming out of there inside the inner tie tod boot, these loose parts were causing the binding and noises. definitely a mechanical failure, dealer does not think its related at all to the lift or bigger tires. he's ordering a new steering gear, because its a new design in demand and this is not the first problem with this new steering rack, GM wants to make sure it cant be fixed other than replacing the entire unit so there were some questions but its looking like warranty will cover it. Dont even want to know what parts/labor will be on this job.

I'm getting pretty frustrated with this truck, I want to like it... its just been problematic: broken moonroof assembly from the factory, 3 weeks in the shop waiting for parts while my roof and interior are torn apart, and now this, complete steering rack replacement at 4000 miles, not minor issues.

US parts and US assembly would fix alot of this in my opinion. I hate to say it but I'm thinking about a Ford more and more.... and thats saying something, I have always been a GM guy through and through.

I will post pics if I can get some, truck is in the shop now.

pm26 · June 13, 2014

Sometimes things like this can be caused by someone not installing an E clip properly in the critical location. This emphasizes the need for consistent quality control at all levels.

Nova1978 · June 14, 2014

Steering rack is assembled in the US. Assembled in Saginaw, MI.

pm26 · June 16, 2014

Steering rack is assembled in the US. Assembled in Saginaw, MI.

You can relax the quality control no matter where the part is made. Apparently this is what is happening. To lower the costs, something has to give.

TJay74 · June 16, 2014

Oh my, really. Failures happen no matter if assembled here or outside the USA. As long as humans are involved in the assembly process the room for errors will be there. Get it fixed and move on. If it bothers you or you are worried then sell the truck and buy foreign. I hate to tell you this Ford has just as many issues as any other manufacture.

2strokesmoke · June 16, 2014

It could be a simple design fault too! I heard they are redesigning something inside the rack to be more reliable also.

lockey14s · May 12, 2015

hey guys, I think i am having this steering rack issue as well. it pops/clunks when you back up and turn the wheel and just sounds terrible. Also im not sure if this is a related symptom but the steering wheel will pull to one side after i make a gradual turn, but then go away. really strange.

I do have the rough country 2.5 lift in the front, not sure if that aggravated it or not. I guess ill have it looked at next time im in for an oil change.

lockey14s · July 17, 2015

going in on tueaday to be looked at. sounds like its getting worse and worse, even hitting small bumps at low speeds it makes a terrible clunk. I really hope it will be covered under warranty and they dont say its due to the lift.

Lawnmower2020 · July 17, 2015

Those of you with this problem should report it on NHTSA's web site. If the steering suffers a lockup or loss of ability to control the wheels at 65 mph it would not be hilarity that ensues. It sounds to me that this has the makings of a recall, particularly with the tacit admission -- they're redesigning something, right? -- from GM that there's a problem. With enough reports of the problem it's much easier to get the recall ball rolling.

lockey14s · July 17, 2015

I have been wondering about the safety behind this problem and wondering why a recall hasnt come out. It doesnt seem to prevent you from turning the wheel, but wonder if after a while it might have that effect. Id like to see some pictures or a diagram of exactly whats going on.