Attention: TDR Forum Junkies On my 98 I've got a noise that I've been chasing for quite some time now. I've done ball joints, tie rod end, sway bar bushings and links, bearings(u-joints included) and seals. Everything seems relatively tight now but nonetheless it seems to make a grind like noise when you turn the wheel. I don't seem to notice anything just sitting there but when you're in motion preparing for a turn, it makes a noise(more noticeable at low speed). Also it seemingly will not do it after sitting for the night(everythings cool?). It does take some driving(almost like a warm up). At first I thought the CAD housing was engaging so I checked the lines from the transfer case. I found a cracked line, fixed it and thought... maybe this is it. But no, the lack of vacuum to hold the CAD fork wasn't it. Now, After an hours drive the other night, I came to a stop, turned the wheel and as I was turning it, I could feel the brake pedal pulsing the farther I turned the wheel and the steering slightly whining. This led me to thinking.
Back when I purchased my truck a year ago it came with plow and I removed everything except those mountings on the frame. I figured when I was under there doing all that front end work I'd tackle this at the same time. Boy what a time that was...
One bolt that went though to the bottom of the steering box broke and I ended up heating the back ear of the box to break it free. And I know, I hated to do this but it took everything to break it free considering the additional sediment buildup I found around the bolt, inside the frame. After I went for that test drive following all this, I turned my steering wheel and it made a grind-like noise and I was a bit worried but never thought much more of it. That weekend I changed the PS fluid and of course it smelled burnt... go figure. At first it seemed to me like it was only making the noise when the steering was turned to a position and held but after convincing myself it also does it when I'm coming from a turn to a straight stance. Being straight it seems fine.
With that said... What is the dilemma... A New Steering Box, Hydro Booster/PS Pump, or something else? Any alternate ideas?
Mike
Back when I purchased my truck a year ago it came with plow and I removed everything except those mountings on the frame. I figured when I was under there doing all that front end work I'd tackle this at the same time. Boy what a time that was...
One bolt that went though to the bottom of the steering box broke and I ended up heating the back ear of the box to break it free. And I know, I hated to do this but it took everything to break it free considering the additional sediment buildup I found around the bolt, inside the frame. After I went for that test drive following all this, I turned my steering wheel and it made a grind-like noise and I was a bit worried but never thought much more of it. That weekend I changed the PS fluid and of course it smelled burnt... go figure. At first it seemed to me like it was only making the noise when the steering was turned to a position and held but after convincing myself it also does it when I'm coming from a turn to a straight stance. Being straight it seems fine. With that said... What is the dilemma... A New Steering Box, Hydro Booster/PS Pump, or something else? Any alternate ideas?
Mike
