I have one metalic crack sound in my steering rack area near the end of either lock extremity.

Has anyone else experienced this ? I would be grateful to know of the outcome when visiting the dealer?.

 

did you modified your suspension ?

that noise is normal , and it is coming from the front sock absorbers.

 

I have done no modifications. I have not noticed this noise before taking a trip on a pot holed road. The car has done 15,000 km.I have removed the wheels & inspected the area & have not found anything obviously damaged. I hope you are correct in saying it is normal for the shocks to make this noise.

 

He isn't. There are some bushings in the front suspension that fail and make a cracking sound. My car does it once when backing with the wheels turned either direction. I'll be getting it in for repair sometime soon.

It's a known defect and it's covered by the warranty.

 

I believe he's talking about the strut bearings and bushings - I had strut bearings replaced on the right side (warranty) and some bushings replaced on both sides on TSB

 

I removed my steel sump stone guard to find half inch pieces of road gravel laying in it. After their removal & replacing the guard the noise disappeared.I also noticed that the steering pinion shaft oil seal had a slight oil weep.

I took the car to the dealer to check the oil weep & mentioned the stones & steering noise. They retensioned the seal housing & pressure fitting on rack under warrantry but charged me 1.7 hours for removing gravel between rack & chassis. ( A$125/ hr.) After " consultation" with head office customer assistance, thankfully the charge was waived!
I am grateful that there was no suspension /steering bush problems but am now aware that I will have to drop the sump guard when a steering noise re-appears after travelling on gravel roads.

 

If you ever hear any more noises - hope you don't - Check the sway bushes & links. Also check the rack bolts for tightness.