[Keith]

I suspect the UJ in the steering column, down at the base under the carpet, the bolt was half a urn loose, I tightened that but I can still feel play in the UJ when I waggle the steering back & forth.
You have to start with the steering wheel about a turn or 2 turns to the left.... clonk clonk... clonk clonk... put a finger on the down shaft to one side of the UJ, then another finger on the other side of the UJ when "sawing" the steering wheel left to right, you should feel any play, I'd imagine it should be covered by the warranty...?

What say you guys?

[agentr31]

there is play in the uni? probably best off getting it looked at, steering isnt something that you want dodgy!!

[Lorian]

Definitely. Mine diesn't rattle, and cant say I've even looked at it.

[Keith]

The car tracks & steers fine, I just wondered if anyone else might be tempted to take a look / have a feel...

Only 7,000 miles on the clock & 2 years old. I'll get it looked at next service probably around April time.

[Dazzler]

There is a known steering issue with earlier i30's (an easy warranty fix)

PM shambles might be best he has had it done and would put his finger on the TSB easily..

Think one or two members have had the steering rack replaced under warranty too..

I have that - at least it sounds like the same concern.

Interestingly they replaced the rack and as far as I can tell it made no difference at all. Although I did sense that the steering felt "different" initially, it still rattles over uneven surfaces and I still get the clicking noise when sawing the steering.

The dealer has put it into the too-hard basket for the time being, promising to continue researching the possible cause and get back to me... not yet though.

Your suspicion re the UJ fits the observation that it appears to be steering angle dependent; in my case about a 1/3^rd turn to the left. This might be putting the UJ at a critical position where any play will be most  audible.

I did get to try this with the service manager on a new car when I was demonstrating the problem and it's also there in a new car except it is virtually inaudible. The actual component with the play is still, as I said, unidentified.

[Keith]

I have that - at least it sounds like the same concern.

Interestingly they replaced the rack and as far as I can tell it made no difference at all. Although I did sense that the steering felt "different" initially, it still rattles over uneven surfaces and I still get the clicking noise when sawing the steering.

The dealer has put it into the too-hard basket for the time being, promising to continue researching the possible cause and get back to me... not yet though.

Your suspicion re the UJ fits the observation that it appears to be steering angle dependent; in my case about a 1/3^rd turn to the left. This might be putting the UJ at a critical position where any play will be most  audible.

I did get to try this with the service manager on a new car when I was demonstrating the problem and it's also there in a new car except it is virtually inaudible. The actual component with the play is still, as I said, unidentified.

Yea Hi by the way & thanks for the feedback. I dont think it's in any way dangerous, the ar still feels planted & more responsive to drive than some Road Tests would have you believe. It just doesnt sound great... when negotiating a left hander with passengers and there is that awful DRRRRRR on the uneven bits... still an Ace car though!!