Steering wheel hard to turn?

[bgilbert]

Ok, before I tear into it. What would make my steering wheel (non-tilt) very hard to turn, and have a metal on metal scratching sound? I've had the wheel off a couple years ago to replace my ignition switch. BTW this is an old style steering column, not like the fancy tilt new age look of the 91+. Its about like other problems on these trucks, they give you a slight warning beforehand. For some time, it has always kinda locked up, only for a second while going down the road, like it didn't want to turn left, I would just give it a little more effort to the left or turn it a hair to the right, then the stiffness would go away. Whats this about a 'clockspring'? Is that something else? Today as I was making a left turn, it like completely locked up on me, and I had to almost stop or hit the guardrail, and take two hands on the wheel and muscle it to straighten out. The rest of the way home it was like no power steering, wheel very tight, and had the metal on metal sound... Sounds like something under the steering wheel or in the column. . What ya think?

 

[JLEONARD]

Sounds like something fell apart and is jamming the column shaft.

I'd yank it apart.

Jay

 

[bgilbert]

Well the grinding isn't coming from under the steering wheel :{ , that would be too easy. . Seems to be coming from down near the floor? Got the wheel off and I didn't feel like digging any further before work, so I'll have to get at it later. Come to think of it, this all started after I installed that high dollar Bendoverson steering shaft . Any other ideas?

 

[Philip]

Bill



I bet there is a bearing of some type in the bottom of the column. I know the ones back in the 70's had a ball type bearing. If it locks up= Hard steering.