2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Clunk in Steering

[garylmoore]

There are 270,000 miles on this truck.
I have a double clunk that feels like it's coming right up the steering column and it has gotten progressively worse over the years.
You feel it most every time when at low speed, stopping or starting from stop lights and stop signs but rarely from turns.
Ball joints and tie rod ends are tight.
My mechanic found badly deteriorated bushings in the control arms and the sway bar and replaced those first.
That did not fix the problem.
He said he poked and prodded on everything he could find with a crowbar and could find nothing that wasn't tight.
We are down to the steering column or the steering box. Are there thrust bearings that can wear in the steering box? I have also read about troubles with a nylon bushing on the steering shaft causing a clunk.
The steering shaft and steering box are the only things in the front end that have not been replaced on this truck in the 6 years I have owned it
thanks... Gary

 

[petersonj]

First, I want to say that I don't have the answer - just some ideas. When symptoms like you are describing occur, it is very easy to throw money at it and not find the solution to the problem. It is also easy to get tunnel vision while diagnosing - example: "I feel it in the steering wheel, so it must be a steering problem". Maybe, maybe not. Suspension problems or brake problems can transfer noises and clunks into the steering column.

Things that you can do yourself as a process of elimination:

* Check the steering gear box to frame mounting bolts for looseness.
* Check the condition of the track bar
* Check brake caliper slides and brake caliper mounts for looseness.

You say that you have owned the truck for 6 years. Do you have a record of truck repairs from the previous owner(s)?

* Is the steering box OEM, and is it original?
* Is the track bar OEM style, or a after market upgrade?
* Is the steering shaft OEM, and is it original? The OEM style uses a rag joint.

Most shops will use the pry bar method for checking steering components, such as tie-rod ends, etc. I personally don't use that method because the joint being checked isn't receiving the forces the joint would receive under a steering load.

I use a two-person method. The vehicle would be parked on a hard flat surface (concrete or asphalt) with the transmission in Neutral / Park, with the park brake set, and the wheels chocked. The helper person will start the engine and slowly rotate the steering wheel about 10° each way repeatedly while I would inspect each and every joint individually for any movement in a direction that would not be a normal path. This includes watching each end of the track bar.

There is an adjustment to the sector shaft in the steering gear box that can be done, but that does take some skill to perform correctly. However, if the sector shaft bearing is worn and causing excessive free play, this adjustment will not accomplish anything.

- John

 

[garylmoore]

No records from the previous owner, I bought the truck from a dealer in Portland Oregon.
The steering box mount was checked yesterday, but I have no idea if the box has ever been changed.
The track bar was replaced, probably 2017, but I do not know if the recent mechanic put hands on it or not.
My guy was not sure the bushings were the problem, but they were visibly degraded and cracked, so I had him change them not caring if it solved the problem or not.
The brakes, I did not consider them.
Can you explain what a rag joint is? I noticed some kind of donut in there long ago but have no idea of its composition at this point.
Thank you for the reply.

 

[petersonj]

The photo below shows a close-up view of the "rag joint" reference on an OEM style steering shaft. It refers to the flexible part of the joint that dampens impulses to the steering wheel. If the flexible part is worn out, sounds or clunks could be transferred to the steering wheel.

You noted you "feel it most every time when at low speed, stopping or starting from stop lights and stop signs but rarely from turns". This indicates that it may not be a steering problem.

My mechanic found badly deteriorated bushings in the control arms and the sway bar and replaced those first.

Just to be clear - your mechanic replaced 4 upper control arm bushings and 4 lower control arm bushings. He also replaced all bushings supporting the anti-sway bar. Is this correct?

- John

 

[garylmoore]

I talked to the mechanic.
Upper Control Arm bushings were not changed.
All Lower and all sway bar bushings were replaced.
Thanks John