Steering noise dilemma

[power ranger]

Howdo, I'm hoping some of you tecnically minded people will be able to help but you will have to bear with me while I try to explain it. I have a very loud metal snapping noise coming from cenrally under the engine, this is only when turing the wheel staionory or manoeuvring slowly. The noise is so loud that its noticeable with the engine is running.
To source the noise I have had it on shaker plates at work but the noise didn't happen. While it was in the air I checked Strut top mounts, Coil springs, bottom ball joints, track rod ends, steering arms, bearings and all related common mounts that could cause the noise. But there fine and no problems.
So today I thought I'd have another more througher check so had the wheels off and had it in the air and checked Steering rack, steering rack bolts, subframe bolts but all fine once again.
I'm now at a loose end to what it could be unless it's an internal fault inside the rack. It's nothing I've ever heard of so hoping maybe someone here has an idea or have come across this before. I need the car for the weekend as travelling to wales.

 

[Badgerman85]

I have this exact same noise buddy!!

So far i have changed, both steering rack bushes, both inner track rods, track rod ends, lower ball joints, N/S driveshaft, O/S driveshaft also being changed soon.

Also it only seems to happen when my tyres start to get close to the wear markers.

Just out of curiosity do you have solid or standard top mounts?

 

[power ranger]

I have this exact same noise buddy!!

So far i have changed, both steering rack bushes, both inner track rods, track rod ends, lower ball joints, N/S driveshaft, O/S driveshaft also being changed soon.

Also it only seems to happen when my tyres start to get close to the wear markers.

Just out of curiosity do you have solid or standard top mounts?

I have the modified standard mounts and there only been on since Feb. I've had people at work look at it and an independant Renault specialist look at it and they can't find it either. The independant specialist said they had one do it before to which they replaced the steering rack but the noise was still there.

 

[Badgerman85]

The only other possible cause I found is the power steering pump after some cliosport.net searching, my housemates 1.6 dynamique makes the same noise too, its bloody annoying!!

 

[power ranger]

The only other possible cause I found is the power steering pump after some cliosport.net searching, my housemates 1.6 dynamique makes the same noise too, its bloody annoying!!

I did think about the steering pump but I may have another gander tonight.

 

[hoolio]

That Aux belt tensioner idea sounds plausible, and worrying if true.

 

[Badgerman85]

That Aux belt tensioner idea sounds plausible, and worrying if true.

Hope not, mine was new less than 10 months ago!!

 

[Carbon Chaos]

Was it a genuine Renault kit ?

 

[Badgerman85]

Yes indeed, done at rentech

 

[power ranger]

****Update****

Well back on the ramp today and it looks like the steering rack bolts at the back of the subframe was loose. Untighten them tightem back up again and it seems to have cured this horrible noise. I'll give it a few days fingers grossed.