Steering colum "Clunk"?

[backfrmcolorado]

Driving home last night i noticed that my steering wheel is makeing a loud clunk noise on every turn if i crank it hard either way. Its coming from the stearing colum and i can feel it in the wheel when it clunks. Has anyone else ever had this problem or know what it could possibly be. The truck has close to 270,000 miles on her. I was thinkin it could be a bushing or bearing in the colum or something. Any help would be great. Thanks!

 

[waskly]

dont they have a 2 peice steering shaft with a bolt through them.... check the shaft..

 

[rolleye]

I remember seeing a NHTSA complaint about some Mounty's - had to do with a clockspring install issue... Fix was a new clockspring.

I will dig it up and post it in the thread when I find it.

The reason i found it was I was looking for a part number for my '02 sport as I am adding cruise.

Found link - click Document link to get more info.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/p...r=EA02010&SearchType=QuickSearch&summary=true

 

[backfrmcolorado]

I remember seeing a NHTSA complaint about some Mounty's - had to do with a clockspring install issue... Fix was a new clockspring.

I will dig it up and post it in the thread when I find it.

The reason i found it was I was looking for a part number for my '02 sport as I am adding cruise.

Found link - click Document link to get more info.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/p...r=EA02010&SearchType=QuickSearch&summary=true

Is it all the same set up on all the X's mines a 94. Thanks for finding that link too.
I dont have an air bag in my X either. lol ima lil lost on this.

 

[rolleye]

oopsi - for some reason I thought you had an '02 mounty.

my bad - sorry.

There were a number of clockspring used so your is probably different.

 

[beauboy]

I have the same steering column 'clunk' in my '91 X. The guy at the shop told me that it was a bushing/spacer in the steering column. It's not a threat of separating or giving way, so its not a safety issue, but it will continue to make noise. I'm told the cost to remove the shaft and replace the bushing far outweighs the inconvenience of the noise.

 

[backfrmcolorado]

I have the same steering column 'clunk' in my '91 X. The guy at the shop told me that it was a bushing/spacer in the steering column. It's not a threat of separating or giving way, so its not a safety issue, but it will continue to make noise. I'm told the cost to remove the shaft and replace the bushing far outweighs the inconvenience of the noise.

Thanks for the insight of the topic. Makes me feel better knowing i wont lose my steering going down the road. Is it an easy DIY job?

 

[backfrmcolorado]

oopsi - for some reason I thought you had an '02 mounty.

my bad - sorry.

There were a number of clockspring used so your is probably different.

Its all good no worries. I appreciate your want to help tho.

 

[beauboy]

I've never done the job myself, but I've heard that it's pretty easy, just very time consuming. If your 'intermediate shaft' (I believe is the part we're speaking of) is broken to pieces, then you'd want to replace it. If it's just worn, you still in good shape. I'd take it to a shop you trust and have them check it out. But they won't be able to tell you any more than that, unless they take out the steering column.

Hope this helps.

 

[backfrmcolorado]

thanks...yeah i try to do all the work on my truck. My tilt is screwing up too. Im thinkin of going to a junkyard and just buy a used complete stearing coulme.

 

[beauboy]

Keep in mind that one from the junkyard will be just as old as the one you're trying to replace. It's a gamble, either way.

 

[backfrmcolorado]

yeah ill try and check it out. i can get a whole assembly for $35 from a local junkyard i go to a lot. They already said if it doesnt work they will exchange it for another one. Its also a buddies JY he works for towing so im getting lucky on this one i guess.

 

[rolleye]

Wow !!

yeah ill try and check it out. i can get a whole assembly for $35 from a local junkyard i go to a lot. They already said if it doesnt work they will exchange it for another one. Its also a buddies JY he works for towing so im getting lucky on this one i guess.

I was looking at possibly doing a steering column swap recently and one of my local JY's told me $ 125 for a complete column with a broken cruise button...

 

[rhauf]

its not the steering column!!!

i had the same clunk in my '93.. it drove me crazy for years.. at first it would clunk when i hit bumps, then it started clunking when i turned the wheel.
i took off the front cover of the steering wheel, and there is a big weight, mounted on 3 rubber grommets. the rubber grommets had broken and the weight was just flopping around in there.

the weight is just a simple vibration damper. i removed it and no more clunk!! (i also did not notice any increase in steering wheel vibrations)

it only takes a minute to remove. just take off the steering wheel center cover, which i believe is held on by a few screws from the back. then pull the weight out.

 

[Sigmo]

its not the steering column!!!

i had the same clunk in my '93.. it drove me crazy for years.. at first it would clunk when i hit bumps, then it started clunking when i turned the wheel.
i took off the front cover of the steering wheel, and there is a big weight, mounted on 3 rubber grommets. the rubber grommets had broken and the weight was just flopping around in there.

the weight is just a simple vibration damper. i removed it and no more clunk!! (i also did not notice any increase in steering wheel vibrations)

it only takes a minute to remove. just take off the steering wheel center cover, which i believe is held on by a few screws from the back. then pull the weight out.

This is exactly what I found on my '91, too. The vibration dampener had broken two of the three rubber mounting pieces and was just flopping around and clunking as I'd turn the wheel.

I, too, took mine completely out. I hope removing this dampener doesn't adversely affect anything and that it's just a "cosmetic" thing. However, I worry that having this dampener completely missing now will cause excessive harmonic vibration in the steering column leading to accelerated wear someplace.

Maybe a guy could buy replacements for the three rubber pieces that hold that weight in place. Beats me!

 

[beauboy]

rhauf and Sigmo -

After you removed the damper, does your horn work? I had the same problem and found my steel plate in the same condition. I wasn't sure if the plate was for vibration reduction or for horn contact. Just a thought.

BTW - Super Glue works perfect for the repair of those rubber standoffs.