My skoda octavia 2002 model steering badly moves left to right on rough roads at slow speeds. It also makes a knocking sound in first gear clutch release. What could be the problem?

My skoda octavia 2002 model steering badly moves left to right on rough roads at slow speeds. It also makes a knocking sound in first gear clutch release. What could be the problem?

i would get a garage to take a look as there could be a few things loose/worn that could cause your symptoms

Could be any of the following:

Tire pressure

Tension rods

Alignment

Steering linkage

Wheel balancing

Only sure way to know is going to a garage, having it lifted and inspected by a mechanic. Miselaneous noises are usually hard to decifer on an internet forum, since we are not listening or viewing the car first hand for an assesment.

It only vibrates in bad roads. So balancing not a problem. I have asked my garage to check tierod ends, wishbone arm and other suspension components.

My garage informed me tie rod ends are slightly weak. It might cause the steering vibration in bad roads?

They want to change full tie rod assembly. will this correct the problem?

My garage informed me tie rod ends are slightly weak. It might cause the steering vibration in bad roads?

They want to change full tie rod assembly. will this correct the problem?

Mine has the same problem and I am gonna change them myself. But I am unsure wheter it will cure it tbh.

I have changed arb bushes and drop links recently which did nothing to help so here's hoping.

HTH

Tie rod assembly change doesn't fix the problem. Though steering improved a bit. Next week i am planning to change suspension ball joints.

Bugger thats next on my list

Still ain't done track rod ends yet though

Why replace the complete tie-rods? It's almost always the outer rod-end that goes, which is another good reason for them being separate from the inners.

As regards the ball-joints (and suspension arm bushes), are there any sign of uneven wear on the front tyres? Any time I've seen a car with these worn, there's been heavy wear on one edge, and sometimes uneven depth round the circumference.

Also, are there any road-speed dependant squeaks from the front? I'm wondering about worn wheel bearings.

Tbh Ken I'm clucthing at straws really so I am changing cheapest first.

I have a feeling it's the steering rack really, as there is a little play through the steering wheel. But the thing that makes me think otherwise is the fact that the knocking is only on the nearside, if I go over a manhole cover on the offside it sounds nice and tight, but nearside sounds like a bag of spanners. And when cornering quite hard I get a lot of vibration through the steering wheel I've done the top mount, arb bushes and links and the wheel bearing on the nearside so rules them out. the only other things I can think of would be the colum bushes or the steering linkage under the dashboard area, but I don't really cherish the idea of removing the steering wheel etc in the vain hope that I'll find something wrong.

edit... the track rod end is quite sloppy as it now but no real play as such

Inner rod ends can wear too. The test is easy enough.

Jack up car, remove wheel, and support on axle stand. Grasp track rod and try to push and pull it in and out. If it move at the rack end, you have a worn inner rod end. Whether you can solve this with a new rod, or need a new rack depends on the design of the inner rod ends.

Whether you can solve this with a new rod, or need a new rack depends on the design of the inner rod ends.

Iirc mine are threaded straight into the rack .......well looking in etka anyway

A did this test the other day and couldn't feel any play :(

Worn bearings will make funny noise. Skoda steering column comes only with universal joint. No rubber bushes there. My service people want to remove the steering column for checking.

My car steering shakes in rough roads only. So i am planning the change suspension ball joints too.