X Reg Avensis And Steering

[lordsummit]

Hi, first post, great website and forum, I've found tons of information that's been really helpful.

I've bought my wife an Avensis 1.8vvti, found an X reg one with 47,000 on, in really good nick, drives fab, and not a rattle, except that half way home I noticed a strange creak that seems to come from the top of the steering column.......

Yes I know now. I believe it's the steering rack.

I've taken it back to the trader I bought it off. He got it from a main dealer, and he's going to try and get them to sort it.

Ooh look a flying pig outside the window!!!

What I really want to know is? If he greases the two bearings/bushes, will it mask the symptoms for a while until they come back again? Also bearing in mind my wife will do about 4/5000 miles a year, is it likely to become desparate? Is the car unsafe whilst it's making that noise? Does it warn of impending steering failure, or is it just !Removed! annoying?

What are my chances of getting a decent second hand rack. I've found an 02 being broken with only 33,000 miles. Will that one have the upgraded and improved rack on it, and how can I tell?

Thanks.

[mintalkin]

i had a 2001 1.8,vvti with the same problem unfortunatley the only real cure is a new rack, £900 from mr t,but this is a knwn problem and mr t knows it too as they fitted a modified rack to the origanal so defo push for a new rack from the dealer you bourght from.the fault is not dangerous just annoying you tend to hear it more at slow speed or when parking.