clunk and vibration

[tlivingd]

I for awhile was getting a problem when turning right the steering wheel would hold that direction, and not return to center (or near) on it's own. I was thinking it was a brake line problem (since I just changed the flex lines) and worked on the brakes and re lubed the calipers (where needed) while i was there. I like to give the drive line a spin. I had the pass. side of the car lifted up (only pass wheel off the ground) and turned the wheel. and it was fine. I then locked (manual) the hub and it would force the knuckle to turn the wheels (both sides of the car) as if i'm steering the car as if i had a bent axle. Is this a bad U joint? if so how does one replace it? I've searched this site for 2 hrs and haven't found how to do it on a 94. is there an easier way other than removing the ball joints?

thanks
-nate

 

[Rhett]

What about the tie rod ends or the tie rods themselves? When's the last time they were lubricated? What is their condition?

 

[tlivingd]

about 1500 miles ago. last oil change.

-nate

 

[410Fortune]

Bad hub sounds like to me

 

[Tony H]

No Ball joint removal
But you do have to pull the Spindle to slide the axle out. Those are the 6 nuts behind the Hub.
The Steering Knuckle stays put.

 

[Rhett]

What Tony H said. If you've got a seized u-joint, and you want to fix that, you don't need to pop out the ball joints. First you remove the tire, hub, brake assembly and rotor. Then you must remove the front ABS sensor which your 94 has (2 tiny hex bolts on back of spindle). THEN you must remove the 6? bolts that hold the axle stub in place. Only then can you pull out the axleshaft. That's on the pass. side by the way. Drivers side is quite similar.

I'd check the hub as was suggested. You'll have to remove the hub parts anyway if you're going to change the front u-joints.

You mentioned that you lubed the tie rod ends at the last oil change. But you never said anything about their condition. If they are worn, all the greasing in the world may not make them any better.

Also look at your swaybar while you're under there. If it gets loose it can move around and bang against the frame making noise. But usually not vibration...

 

[dolphans1]

I had a bolt come completely lose once and everytime I would turn the car would pull to one side. I had someone steer the car while I looked underneath to see what was going on, and that's how I discovered it. You could see the seperation close to the steering box everytime you would turn.

d-1

Bad hub sounds like to me