clunking feel from the steering wheel

[goinsurfin]

Over the weekend, i took the kids down some trails near the homestead race track. Recently, my control arms/bushings were replaced so I expected a solid feel of a ride while crawling up and out of holes and other random obstacles. However, I did notice new clunking sounds vibrating through the steering wheel. Prior to replacing the control arms, it was easy to feel the clunking/looseness from the wheels on either side. But now, this center focus area has me puzzled. Any idea as to what else is "loose" or worn?
Thanks

 

[PaulLR3]

Could be tie rod ends or sway bar bushings. I had the same clunking in the steering wheel plus loud howling from a worn wheel bearing and a leaking control arm bushing.

So last week I had the following installed: 2 new hubs, 2 new lower control arms and ball joints, new tie rod ends, new sway bar bushings and of course an alignment. I'm not sure which of these corrected the steering clunk but it is gone.

 

[goinsurfin]

Thanks Paul. I'll take a look at these areas too. Thank.

 

[Houm_WA]

Is it an audible clunk or more like a chunky unsmooth feeling in the steering itself? If it's the latter it could be the U-Joint at the end of the steering shaft. Swaybar bushing issues are easy to hear but don't transmit through the steering wheel much, at least in my experience.

 

[Trynian]

It could be steering rack or tie rod. Tie rods are easy to test, jack up a front wheel and see if you can wobble the wheel back and forth. if it wobbles you can then see where the play is in either the inner or outer tie rods ends. Usually it is a bit of both. the steering rack I found that you can get it to clunk around freeway circle on ramps.

 

[tlt]

There is a kit with inner/outer tie rod ends, fairly economical compared to the individual bits. Also the lower steering joint develops some noise in it.

It sounds like the issue I had, which was a combination of the shaft and inner tie rods.

QMN500250 SHAFT ASSY - STE Steering Column lower shaft 1 $96.08
LR010669 steering, steering gear & linkage, boot kit Left 1 $124.18
LR010670 steering, steering gear & linkage, boot kit Right 1 $124.18

 

[goinsurfin]

I still have to have the clunking looked at but it was definitely felt through the steering shaft. I'll have my guy check all of the above and report back with the findings.. Its interesting that it only happened at very slow speeds and with greater than normal articulation. On road at highway speeds, nothing. Going over road bumps, nothing.

TLT, I'm assuming based on the those listed part numbers are from the dealer?

Thanks guys.

 

[tlt]

Correct goingsurfin I ordered from landrovermerriam. I try to stick with OE, and just did this job.

It was most noticeable for me, with the car not running, by wobbling the wheel back and forth, you could hear it more than feel it.