Creaking or Popping While Turning Wheel
 

After the suspension warms up a little if I turn the steering wheel while just sitting there is a loud popping or creaking noise. The noise seems to be equally coming from both sides and only when the car is on the ground. I had my wife turn the wheel while I listened. So, in thinking it might be the steering rack I jacked it up, took the wheels and outer tie rods off. Nothing was wobbling and the rack seemed to move with the right amount of effort. The gear part of the rack was nicely greased and clean. I didn't see any grease on the passenger side of the rack but of course the gear isn't cut that far over on the rack. What makes the most sense to me is that when loaded, the upper and lower ball joints carry the weight of the car, and more so the lower one and if one of them is worn I could see (hear) that popping sound happening. But again, the sound seems to be equal in volume from both wheel wells and so I find it hard to believe the ball joints on both side would fail at the same time. Any thoughts?

Side note: I just had the clutch slave cylinder go bad. I had it replaced at the dealer with the CMAK relocation kit. I love it.
Anyway this service at the dealer was crazy expensive as they had to pull the transmission and so I don't want to start throwing more money at the car trying to get rid of the popping sound.

1) is your suspension stock?

2) any prior accidents that might have bent or otherwise damaged something

You might need to get the car to a shop so they can put it on a rack, stand underneath it while loaded, and examine closely

its a 2009 and I bought it around Covid so I've had it for a couple years. I don't know for sure if the suspension is stock but I haven't noticed any obvious aftermarket parts. This popping noise only started about a couple months ago but prior the steering and suspension have been excellent. Pretty sure there had been no accidents as they provided an accident report and I checked history at the surrounding Nissan dealers.

I noticed one of the outer tie rod ends has a rough spot so I ordered and am waiting for them to show up. If that doesn't help I'll have to do as you suggested and take it to a shop. I already had it at Nissan for the slave cylinder and they said it was the steering rack but then I got mixed messages so I'm not so confident about their diagnosis. Plus they wanted $2000 parts and labour. Labour is $220/hr. I could replace the rack myself if its determined that is the problem but you would think there would be a steering rack rebuild kit but I haven't been able to find anything. I imagine there are some bushings or bearings the rack slides back and forth through. Anyway I'm rambling.

its a 2009 and I bought it around Covid so I've had it for a couple years. I don't know for sure if the suspension is stock but I haven't noticed any obvious aftermarket parts. This popping noise only started about a couple months ago but prior the steering and suspension have been excellent. Pretty sure there had been no accidents as they provided an accident report and I checked history at the surrounding Nissan dealers.

I noticed one of the outer tie rod ends has a rough spot so I ordered and am waiting for them to show up. If that doesn't help I'll have to do as you suggested and take it to a shop. I already had it at Nissan for the slave cylinder and they said it was the steering rack but then I got mixed messages so I'm not so confident about their diagnosis. Plus they wanted $2000 parts and labour. Labour is $220/hr. I could replace the rack myself if its determined that is the problem but you would think there would be a steering rack rebuild kit but I haven't been able to find anything. I imagine there are some bushings or bearings the rack slides back and forth through. Anyway I'm rambling.

the entire rack, and not just the bushing? Because the bushing is replaceable:

GK Tech:
https://us.gktech.com/products/z34-3...woWUIQnSkK6S4R

Parts Shop Max:
https://store.partsshopmax.com/shop/...bt4u7JTRNr7p7C

Actually I was thinking about bushings inside the gear housing cause you can buy a remanufactured complete assembly but they are like $400 whereas a rebuild kit would be alot less I would think and I don't have a problem disassembling it to get at any internal bushings that might need replacing. I'm just thinking that maybe the popping sound is the gear binding up on something inside the assembly. Although I guess I don't really know what all they do to remanufacture an assembly.

FYI, replaced the tie rod ends and the popping is still there. Need to get it up in the air to have a better look.

UPDATE: Turns out it was just a loose bolt where the gear rack attaches to the frame.

I was under there and saw them but thought there's no reason those would be loose and so I saved myself another trip out from under the car. When you're 60 you think about things like this.

Lesson: Don't jump to conclusions