there are two common issues that create a ticking sounds:
1 - timing belt tensioner (tbt) - when they get old and lose their hydraulic pressure, they wobble. you also have an increased chance of skipping a tooth with the timing belt, since its not as tight as it should be.
2 - hydraulic lash adjustment (hla) - when the lifters get clogged (old oil, infrequent oil changes, etc... but the K series is especially prone to this) they don't get the same pressure and don't expand quickly enough - instead tapping. typically, a few good engine flushes will help the problem, as it removes the clogs, and varnish. In extreme cases the lifters collapse altogether.. and no amount of flushing will help.
its all about location, to determine which it is. if theyre under the valve covers - its the hla's. If its coming from the passenger side of the engine, about midway down where the heads meet the block, its the tbt.
re: centering of the steering rack - mine has always tracked back to straight after exiting a turn, even with very wide and sticky tires. Check for slop in your tie rod ends, control arm joints, and the rack itself.
1 - timing belt tensioner (tbt) - when they get old and lose their hydraulic pressure, they wobble. you also have an increased chance of skipping a tooth with the timing belt, since its not as tight as it should be.
2 - hydraulic lash adjustment (hla) - when the lifters get clogged (old oil, infrequent oil changes, etc... but the K series is especially prone to this) they don't get the same pressure and don't expand quickly enough - instead tapping. typically, a few good engine flushes will help the problem, as it removes the clogs, and varnish. In extreme cases the lifters collapse altogether.. and no amount of flushing will help.
its all about location, to determine which it is. if theyre under the valve covers - its the hla's. If its coming from the passenger side of the engine, about midway down where the heads meet the block, its the tbt.
re: centering of the steering rack - mine has always tracked back to straight after exiting a turn, even with very wide and sticky tires. Check for slop in your tie rod ends, control arm joints, and the rack itself.
