2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Can't take it anymore!

[AFoulk]

I've had problems with a clunk in my steering wheel over bumps. Can't hear it, but I can feel it. I've had it for the past few months, and it was progressively getting worse. Checked the front end out, and all 4 ball joints were showing some wear, the passenger side inner and outer tierod ends were shot, and so was my track bar. Replaced everything but the track bar a couple months ago, and still had the clunk. Just put a 3rd gen. adjustable trackbar on last week, and it seemed to get better, but could still feel it once in awhile. Well the past few days its really gotten bad... I feel it over every little bump, when the weight of the truck shifts back after coming to a stop, and when I'm accelerating, shift gears, and get back on the throttle. I kinda doubt that the control arm bushings are shot at 80,000miles, but I'm kinda leaning towards it being the steering shaft or the lower bushing in the steering columb? Any ideas? if it does turn out to be my steering shaft, who has the Borgeson shaft the cheapest?

 

[JFaughn]

I was going to suggest the steering shaft , there are some after market shafts , a search on this site should get you there , if someone does not come up with a link .

 

[Batphreak]

How old is your steering damper? When those are worn out it cause cause the steering to get crazy on bumps and such.

 

[AMatsonIII]

Check the lower track bar bolt on the axle. Had the same issue. Thought I had it on tigh enough... but I didn't had the same issue. Used a 1/2" impact gun and let er rip. Not sure about the torque spec but took care of the issue instantly

 

[AFoulk]

the steering damper seems to be ok yet, i think. when I relocated to the outside of the axle bracket, I had a hard time compressing it and extending it by hand. as for the track bar bracket, I torqued everything to spec and double checked everything to make sure I didn't miss anything before I was done. I'm gonna check the steering shaft out tomorrow. My buddy has a 12v with 130000miles on it with the same problem, just not as bad as mine, so we're gonna check his out while were at it too.

 

[AFoulk]

does anyone sell the Borgeson shafts cheaper than Summit? they want $215, PSC I think wants $276 I think just for comparison.

 

[AGROM]

had the issue with my 01. 5, ended up being the lower bearing on the steering column. can't remember the company I got my replacement from. the kit includes a nylon bushing that you put in place of the cheap bearing. I'll try to research the vender and get back.

 

[AFoulk]

I think its Rocksolid Ram or something like that, I know I have the link saved somewhere on the computer. I'm definately gonna get one of them, but I think I'll wait till I have the money to get a Borgeson shaft as well and kill 2 birds with 1 stone. And hopefully after that I'm done sinking money into the front end for a while.

 

[JacobsD]

Try calling Borgeson directly. They're a 20 minute hop, skip, and jump from me in Torrington, CT and have helped me out many times, especially when I was building my hot rod. They came up with a killer dual-joint steering shaft for me. Those guys are top class and very helpful.

 

[Cummins724]

I think its Rocksolid Ram or something like that, .

very good upgrade... . makes the wheel feel more solid & takes the play out of the steering. I had a similar problem on my truck with the steering column & the rocksolid bushing fixed it. Good Luck

 

[hamilton71801]

Mine was doing it and it wound up being the shock bolts. I put all the impact had on'em and fixed it.

 

[AFoulk]

I'll have to check the shock bolts yet, but I have a feeling its the steering shaft. Checked it out yesterday, and I have a lot of play at the rag joint at the top steering shaft u-joint. Not sure how to describe it with out having a pic of it. Theres a metal strap bolted to the rubber part of the rag joint, and the shaft passes thru it. Well, when I grabbed hold of the shaft and pulled up and down on it to see if I got a clunking in my lower steering columb bushing, that strap on the ragjoint was hitting the shaft. The paint on the shaft is actually worn away where the strap has been hitting it. I think theres also a slight bit of play in the upper u-joint. I checked my buddies 98 just to compare, and his ragjoint has hardly any play in it and that strap on the ragjoint fits the shaft nice and tight. He however has a clunk coming from his lower columb bushing when you pull up and down on the shaft.

 

[fest3er]

You can also look for the Flaming River steering shaft. As I recall, it was cheaper than the Borgeson. It's been on my truck for around 180 miles and it still in decent shape, though a little rusted by now.

 

[cArNiVaLwOrKeR]

fest

You can also look for the Flaming River steering shaft. As I recall, it was cheaper than the Borgeson. It's been on my truck for around 180 miles and it still in decent shape, though a little rusted by now.

180 miles or 180k miles???

 

[fest3er]

They use so much road salt around here, it's like driving in the ocean.

My light typing touch missed the 'K'. 180K miles.

 

[BILLVO]

Here is your probable cause.



Happy reading. This is one of TDR's best threads.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com...l-clunk-rattle-solved-column-bushing-fix.html