2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Steering- drag link

[BDMiller]

I'm getting a very slight bump almost like an echo, usually after I go over a bump. Does this make sense, a small thud right after the initial bump. It feels like something is hitting the floorboard right under my left foot. Steering itself is fine & tight, no pull to either sides. I just gave the front suspension the once over & for the most part everything looked fine however the drag link has some rotational play in it & the boots asre not sealing well. There is no side to side play so the steering is not affected. Can this be the beginning of a problem or am I over reacting?

Thanks,

Brian in NH

 

[AKAMAC]

Check the shock for loose nuts or worn bushings. The upper can be suspect.

 

[RDHamill]

If that were my truck it would be another OE steering shaft worn loose. :{

I chased a similar type of NVH, and it all went away with a borgeson steering shaft.

Good luck

 

[BDMiller]

Thanks guys, I checked both the shock mount & the steering shaft but they both seem solid. What were the symptoms?



Brian

 

[RDHamill]

I had a "clunk" when turning, it worsened if I was braking while turning, like into a driveway. I looked for shock bolts and the track bar but found nothing. I checked and torgued the control arm bolts and bushings, but this did not help.

While I thought the steering shaft was OK, I even removed the steering box and set the preload and over center adjustment. The "clunk" remained.

Finally I check each joint in the steering shaft, and found the lower ujoint had play but not in a rotational way it was side to side, like the cups on the ujoints were not pressed in all the way, or the flange had spread. The telescoping sliding portion of the shaft had very little play but there was some present. I replaced the shaft with a borgeson and the "clunk" was gone. So at present I have a Luke's link on the track bar and a DSS on the steering box, plus the borgie shaft. There is no play in the front anymore.

No wondering on the road, no mystery clunks , it just works right.



I hope you can find your problem faster than I did

Good luck

 

[muchsnow]

Make sure the the shock rubbers show some compression. I chased something like this on my wifes 2wd. you could tighten up the new shocks (premium gas shocks) and two weeks later they would make noise and were loose if you really worked at them, but they wouldnt tighten anymore. Finally returned them after second set and replaced them with the best shocks (expensive general purpose) I've ever had on a vehicle (edelbrock). Good ride and never a problem again.