2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Steering clunk worse

[Heavy Metal]

At around 40,000 miles, I began noticing a clunk in my steering. I now have 99,900 miles on the truck. During this period of time, I have replaced the ball joints, trackbar, (2) tie rod ends, stabilizer, and shocks (all due to wear). Through all of this, the clunk has never gone away. After having (2) intermediate steering shafts replaced under warranty in my wife's 2002 Tahoe lately, I was sure that the same part was bad in my truck. Installed Borgeson shaft this weekend. Can't believe how much tighter the steering is now! Problem is the clunk is worse than ever. I realize that the shaft, being much tighter than OEM, makes it FEEL worse. Having narrowed it down by process of elimination, the only other possibilities I can come up with are front axle u-joints or steering column. How do you check both these and has anyone ever replaced the actual steering column (I'm nervous about tearing into it)?



Another problem that may or may not be related is a loud knock that I can feel through the floorboard. It only occurs when the road is wet. If I turn the wheels to the left, for example, it will knock but won't do it again as long as I keep turning left. As soon as I turn right, though, it will knock and won't do it again as long as I keep turning right. As soon as I turn left... ... ... ..... so on and so on. Just started doing this recently. Both problems are driving me NUTS.

 

[grtescpa]

Steering knock

I would venture to say that it could be the bearings in the steering columb. They can't be replaced. I went through 3 columbs under warranty. I know borgeson shaft is great but I don't think they sell the columb housing. Replacing the housing is the only way to cure the bearing issue. I have 85k on my truck. It seems the columb only lasts about 25 -35k. My truck is now out of warranty. The next columb I am forced to buy will get packed with Amsoil synthetic grease. Maybe it will last this time. Sorry I could not be of more help.

 

[SMorneau]

search my posts

I have talked about this before do a search. I am 99% certain it is the bearing in the base of your column. I tried a Borgeson shaft and it made it worse just like yours.



A local steering wheel specialist (he goes around to the body shops) quoted me the same price to replace it with a new column from Dodge as Dodge wanted for the column. He gets a discount. However, the bearing will still be a POS and is liable to break again. Take it apart and make a new one.



PM me if you have any questions unanswered.

 

[Agades]

I had a 98 V10

that did the same thing you explained

'clunk when turning"



turned out the bolt in the bottom of the front shocks was smaller than the hole so the shock would slip in the shackle



for some reason it only did it when I turned



didnt notice it happening from bumps



I could feel it in the floorboard and all through the steering



I replaced everything before finding this out as well



I see you replaced the shocks already but if you put in the factory bolts you would still have the problem



I replaced the factory bolt with a 9/16"dia bolt I believe

and get it really tight

 

[Kraut67M]

Heavy Metal, All



Can you explain the "clunking"? I have a problem which I first noticed one year ago after replacing the track bar. It seems to get worse with a rise in temperature and is completely gone in winter and came back when temperature approached 60F. Has anyone else noticed this temperature dependance?



It feels like something is hitting the steering collumn, or as if someone is tapping the collumns with a small hammer. It does this when going straight, I can make it do it when I am rolling slowely down a hill and hit the brakes, ie compress front suspension. When I am at speed hitting very small bumps in road, I can feel this slight "knocking" in collumn.



The fact that I noticed this after doing the track bar in coincidence. I have also checked myself and had a reputable shop check the front end components, nothing worn found, except perhaps the pitman or output shaft from the steering box. I have Darrins bracket and have to find the time t install. I would sure like an email if you find the cause of this, as it is driving me nuts also.



Agades,

Could you grab a hold of the shock and make it knock or could you feel the loos bolt?



Kraut67M

 

[Agades]

Agades,

Could you grab a hold of the shock and make it knock or could you feel the loos bolt?



Kraut67M [/B]

no I couldnt

I didnt figure it out till I was standing in front of my truck BSing with a guy

I grabbed my grill guard and rocked my pu for no reason at all and heard the noise

did it again and saw the shock move in the shackle



the next day I couldnt make it thump but could see the shock move



dirty little bugger

 

[Heavy Metal]

I actually have two separate problems. The first is a "clunk" that I can feel in the steering wheel that occurs when turning, stopping, starting from dead stop, or driving on straight bumpy roads (seems worse over small, choppy bumps than on bigger hits). The best way I can describe it is that it feels like I'm driving a slide hammer with a steering wheel mounted to it. Still haven't figured this one out, but have a strong feeling it is in the steering column especially after researching old threads as suggested above. The second problem is a loud knock that can be both heard and felt through the floor when the road is wet. Agades' post got me thinking. This problem started long before I changed my shocks. I did, however, change my stabilizer not too long before the truck started doing this. Had a little time to slip out to the parking lot, pryed on the stabilizer mount with a spud wrench. Sure nuff, it moved. That explains why it only knocks one direction at a time. Bushing is tight in the bracket which explains why it only does it when it's wet. Thanks Agades. Used the stock bolt and got new stabilizer from (st)dealer. Will have to try and find frame bolt with fatter shank. Now if I can just figure out if the clunk is in the column bearing, the column, or somewhere else.



Bryan

 

[Agades]

glad to be of some help



dodge was made aware of the problem of the bolt being too small for the hole back in 98



they still havent fixed it on the 02 models