Knock in the steering.

[andrewro]

Guys, I have a curious knock in my steering. When the car is sitting still and I sort of rock the steering wheel left and right, I feel a little knock on the swing from left to right but not in the other direction. Occasionally I also feel it while in motion. Yesterday I rocked it with the hood open and it seems to be coming from somewhere at or below the steering box. Perhaps there is a worn bushing where the steering arm attaches to the box?

Pretty much everything else is new. New tie rods and centerlink, new idler arm bushings, along with new ball joints and urethane bushings, cleaned and repacked strut bearings, etc. The usual stuff you replace during a rebuild has been done so I am thinking it is wear at the ourput side of the steering box. Any ideas from anyone else?

Thanks,

Andrew

[Mikesmalaga72]

I had that situation too. I could physically tug the steering output shaft at the arm, and move the shaft in the bore laterally, and duplicate the knock. My assumption it is the bushing at the base of the steering box housing. Steering accuracy may be slightly affected under certain conditions such as braking over uneven pavement etc due to the lateral loads from the steering linkage, to the steering\\pitman arm.

[c.d.iesel]

....AND LOOK CLOSE AT THE SUBFRAME BRACKET

that the steering gearbox mounts on.

look from the bottom, and top with a big light, wipe the mounting bracket clean

[colorobo2002]

turn the s. wheel while you feel the joints of the suspension. You could possibly do this yourself by turning a wheel, steering arm and feeling the joints w/ your other hand. Good luck. Oh yeah, you should put the car up on stands if you're doing it by yourself too. 8-)

[FP2002]

Check the idler arm bushings. I've seen them with lots of up and down play and very little looseness in the steering

[TobyB]

either the drag link (the center section of the 'tie rod) has a loose end

and needs to be replaced,

or your steering box is in need of adjustment.

Both will make a nice, solid- sounding 'thump' in the wheel and the floor.

Neither is too hard to fix.

Both can be dangerous if left too long!

hth,

Toby