240SX Steering problem?

[shinski]

Finally came around to getting my 93 240 running.
Took it out for a spin around the neighborhood and immediately noticed a "thump thump thump" sound coming from the drivers side as well as a clicking sound while turning.

I've looked around and it seems to me that it's the steering rack? Driver side boot is torn. Any suggestions?

Left side.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3698/10768417593_767252c27e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/58110489@N07/10768417593/)

Right side.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7445/10768199746_c039fdce67.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/58110489@N07/10768199746/)


Correct me if Im wrong but don't think my sway bar end links are supposed to look like this either lol.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5542/10768198806_428ae1d808.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/58110489@N07/10768198806/)

[zerodameaon]

What I see from your pictures.

1: A lot of that oil is from an engine oil leak or a leaky PS pump as its higher up on the engine.

2: You need to replace at a minimum your rack boots. If you have the money replace your whole tierod setup with something like the Tein setup. You could also use new rack bushings of your choice depending on how hard you want them.

3: Your sway bar links are worn out but they are not overly bad.

What I can't see but can't be sure of because I am not there to diagnose.

1: You talk about a thump, is it during breaking or acceleration? That could be your tension rods worn out in combination with your LCA bushing being worn out.

2:You talk about a click when turning, that could be your ball joints.



There could be a lot more going on but as I said its hard to diagnose without being there.

[shinski]

Thanks for replying!

It's probably from my PS pump, its pretty dark right now to see but I checked the cylinder and its very low and steering is pretty stiff.

I actually just did another test run with a friend in the car to better help me locate where the thumping is coming from. It's actually all thump, no clicking. I hear thumping from the driver front side but the loudest thumps are coming from the rear passenger side as the car is moving. Axle? Maybe struts??? I would hope it's the struts as it would give me a reason to just install my coilovers lol... I plan on replacing my rack boots tierods too.