Anyone ever had a steering column noise (clunk)?

[996scott]

This is a little hard to describe, but i'll give it a try. I have had a noise coming from the front of the car every once in a while when I go over a bump or brake/accelerate hard (like if i blip the throttle in 1st gear at a high rpm and the car thrusts forward and then slows down really fast). I figured it was the suspension so I had it checked out. They torqued everything down but still the same problem. I started to think it was coming from inside the dash somewhere. Now I think i have narrowed it down to the steering wheel/column. I have noticed that if I pull back or push in on my steering wheel I get the same clunk (the steering wheel doesn't feel loose at all). If I drive down the road and keep pushing in on the steering wheel (keeping pressure on it) I don't get the noise. Has anyone heard of something like this? All I can guess is there is something down at the bottom of the steering column that is slightly loose. The car drives fine and nothing in the steering or suspension feels or acts loose. Any thoughts would be really appreciated. Thanks.

[RFM]

Take a look if you can re tighten the lower column bolts (in the pedal box area) where they meet the steering rack coupler, check all the column fastening bolts to the dash, lubricate the column sliding parts, on the full length with grease, check the steering rack for inside axial play (pinion and rack), check all the steering rack fastening bolts to the chassis. Nice and easy job to start with.

[996scott]

Thanks, I'll start there