Grinding/Skipping Feeling in Steering Wheel

[backtrail69]

I am getting a almost skipping/grinding feeling in the wheel that is not normal. I inspected everything and nothing was rubbing on the subframe other than a tang on the pitman arm, which i removed and the feeling was still there.

I have replaced by steering box with a rebuild unit from 2002AD (seemed smooth when turned by hand), installed a new center link and idler arm bushings. My tie rods are not connected yet and the car is still on jack stands, so the steering should be silky smooth.

Any help or tips would be greatly appreciated. Did I damage my steering colum tapping the steering linkage onto the shaft?

Thanks,

Isaac

[JerryC]

Steering wheel shroud, horn button?

[tjones02]

Don't hate me but I gotta' ask if you've checked the basics....

Did you be sure to check and fill the new steering box with 90W gear oil?

Did you preload the steering column (by pushing forward/down on the steering wheel while tightening the shaft coupler at the box) when you installed the new box?

Anyone been in the steering column working on the steering lock? There are all kinds of noises that can stem from improper work there.

Then, the horn contact button can make a nasty noise on the contact ring.

Cheers and Hope This Helps (HTH),

[Chamoix]

Had a similar experince recently while installing new front subframe. Turned out that with the car on stands and the brakes already on, the suspension was drooping so far down that the strut housing was rubbing on the control arm. When I supported the control arm with a small jack under the ball joint, the problem disappeared. Hopefully yours is something easy too.

[backtrail69]

The folks at 2002AD said the box was filled with greese and didn't need gear oil.

I hadn't tightened down the clamp on the shaft coupler yet (on the column side), only the splines were engaged. I will be sure to preload the column and try again before I pulled all the shrouds off the column.

Thanks for the Tips.

Isaac

Don't hate me but I gotta' ask if you've checked the basics....

Did you be sure to check and fill the new steering box with 90W gear oil?

Did you preload the steering column (by pushing forward/down on the steering wheel while tightening the shaft coupler at the box) when you installed the new box?

Anyone been in the steering column working on the steering lock? There are all kinds of noises that can stem from improper work there.

Then, the horn contact button can make a nasty noise on the contact ring.

Cheers and Hope This Helps (HTH),

[tjones02]

They do not last as long with grease in them instead of 90W gear oil..... BTDT.

[c.d.iesel]

..2x on the grease in the box

so it turned and felt smooth turning it by hand before you installed it

in the car ???

that means something is touching the coupling?, or the struts?

or ........... try disconnecting the center link from the steering arm

so your just turning the steering wheel/column/gear box and report

what you feel

[backtrail69]

Turns out for whatever reason my steering column shaft was rubbing on the pass through on the firewall, making a horrid vibration. I adjusted the column and seems to be alot better. Thanks for the tips.

Isaac