L300 Steering pinion rack clunking noise!

[ChuckBlack]

Here are my symptoms.

Upper and lower ball joins are all tight.
Left and right tie rods are also tight.
All universal joints are tight.
When the van is not running, i turn the wheels left to right and i can feel a clunk noise inside the pinion rack.
The rack does not leak and the oil is clean and at level.
Power steering pump, belt and pulley are new.
Acceleration and brake application, no noise.
It happens driving forward, in reverse or when parked.

Perhaps the inner join assembly is worn out and slightly popping out of its socket .. I have full turn on either side when turning the steering wheel.
And no other play...

Anyone else have had this issue?

[Growlerbearnz]

Check the little gearbox that turns the steering shaft 90 degrees before sending it back to the rack. They cAn make some odd noises.
Maybe also lift the front wheels off the ground and shake them- it might be wheel bearings? (unlikely though).

[ChuckBlack]

Ive checked all that as well. Bearings and races are set to spec. sway bar bushing and end bushing good, shocks are good too.

[ChuckBlack]

Quick update, I double checked the inner tie rods this morning, and the cv joints. The same old clunk noises are still present when turning...

[Growlerbearnz]

Steering rack mounting bushes?

It's an odd one. Let us know when you figure it out!

[ChuckBlack]

Does the cv rotates with the wheels even if the 4x4 isn't engaged? When the front end is raised and I spin the wheels by hand they do not turn...!!!

[ChuckBlack]

Oh and the steering rack bushes are good.

[Growlerbearnz]

The CVs don't rotate unless the freewheeling/auto hubs are locked.

[ChuckBlack]

Yea thats what I suspected about the cv's. So what else could my clunking be when I turn...?
Appears to be only when I back up and turn left or right, drive forward under 60Klm and turn either left or right as well..,