Steering rack failure

[OneIota]

Driving home on Friday, starting feeling a slight shake and heard a thumping sound in the dash that disappeared in about 15 seconds, then the red steering wheel exclamation point icon started flashing in the dash and I lost power steering about a minute later as I was pulling into my driveway (luckily). Took a quick look around the car, didn't hit anything, no leaking fluids. Found another thread that suggested a loose battery cable and checked that but it's intact. Tried restarting the car, moving it a bit and it persisted. Took the car to dealership. Didn't have power steering during the drive there and of course the warning light and issue was gone after I pulled into the service drive and the advisor started the car. Their diagnosis was a steering rack issue (didn't specify) that needs a replacement. Has anyone else had an issue like this? Couldn't find other threads for it. I didn't notice any unusual steering character prior to the thumping and am worried there's going to be an issue afterward (based on one previous thread where someone had their rack replaced). I have been having issues with my dynamic headlights and headlight alignment - half wondering if there's any connection. I'm only at 38XX miles.

 

[MerlintheMad]

What is "38XX" miles? Only three thousand eight hundred plus? If so, that has to be a software/electronic issue not mechanical. The odds say ...

 

[OneIota]

Just wanted to add an update - I got the car back after about a week and was told it was a steering rack motor failure. The changes unfortunately did not fix the issues I'm having with my headlights. After replacement, all mostly seemed normal with the steering but had a clunk in the right front passenger side suspension area (and a clank if pounding on that tire), took the car back today and was told the end links for the (Eibach) swaybars weren't connected on that side after the previous repair. All seemed back to normal on the drive home but just pondering if I should try taking a look at the actual ends of the swaybars now (even if I don't clearly know what I'm looking for).

 

[ShannonC]

Just wanted to add an update - I got the car back after about a week and was told it was a steering rack motor failure. The changes unfortunately did not fix the issues I'm having with my headlights. After replacement, all mostly seemed normal with the steering but had a clunk in the right front passenger side suspension area (and a clank if pounding on that tire), took the car back today and was told the end links for the (Eibach) swaybars weren't connected on that side after the previous repair. All seemed back to normal on the drive home but just pondering if I should try taking a look at the actual ends of the swaybars now (even if I don't clearly know what I'm looking for).

End links connect sway bar to your suspension. You would notice something wrong immediately after you drove off. Stick your head under both sides and look to the end of sway bar. You should see a short shaft connected to sway bar via a first or second hole. First is soft setting and second is firm. Make sure both are set to the same hole.

 

[Silvermanor]

What is "38XX" miles? Only three thousand eight hundred plus? If so, that has to be a software/electronic issue not mechanical. The odds say ...

LOL