Manual steering clunk?

[dkyuss]

Love to get your thoughts on this noise.... Not an immediate concern? Maybe time to go power? Would love a simple fix and power it up later when convenient but it is what it is.... Doesn't appear to be ujoints or bearing/bushing? But I have not taken much apart here yet to further detail so maybe you know better.

sounds like this..... Hard to hear over some of the road noise, but here it is..... Im thinking the gearbox itself? What ya think?

 

[cruisermatt]

Probably time to rebuild that box. Why are you running it manual? It's not intended for that.

 

[dkyuss]

Oh, but it is manual. 'Arm Strong Steering' as I call it.

 

[klinetime574]

Is it louder inside the truck or outside the truck? Seemed like outside, but could be wrong.

 

[dkyuss]

Is it louder inside the truck or outside the truck? Seemed like outside, but could be wrong.

Ya, I think it is loudest at/near the gearbox. I can feel it in the steering wheel while turning. Grabbing the steering shaft between ujoints and yanking around produces no noise and very little movement so I believe bearings/ujoints here are OK.

 

[klinetime574]

Good to know on the noise.

Next Q: Is that steering shaft all the way on the gearbox? Looks kinda funny. There is a groove on the gearbox shaft that accepts a bolt that holds the steering shaft to it. I feel like I can see it in the video (the groove).

Remove the bolt on the steering shaft and see if you can slip it off.

 

[dkyuss]

Good to know on the noise.

Next Q: Is that steering shaft all the way on the gearbox? Looks kinda funny. There is a groove on the gearbox shaft that accepts a bolt that holds the steering shaft to it. I feel like I can see it in the video (the groove).

Remove the bolt on the steering shaft and see if you can slip it off.

Good call.... I was looking at the spline on the gearbox input shaft and my thoughts were that it doesn't look properly 'seated' on the spline. I will take a look here. You are talking about this bolt? (pretty sure there is a bolt here 'squeezing' this collar on the spline.)

 

[Skniper]

Isn't that the bolt that backed out recently on someone here in the 60 forum?...steering shaft separated....not a good thing, btw.

 

[dkyuss]

Isn't that the bolt that backed out recently on someone here in the 60 forum?...steering shaft separated....not a good thing, btw.

Yikes.... Steering is always good to have!

Well I cleaned it up a bit, took out both lock bolts and removed the shaft to isolate the source. The yokes were properly seated, and lockbolt properly in the groove and torqued. U joints are in good shape.
There is some play on the gearbox input (maybe 3-5º) but no noise when rocking.
Rocking the steering wheel side generates the noise! Looking close there must be something loose on the upper end.... Will have to look at this later tonight.

 

[cruisermatt]

Is this a true manual box or did you just plug the fluid ports? Does it have fluid in it?

 

[dkyuss]

AFAIK true old skool manual. No ports, hydaulic pump or double pulley even.

 

[cruisermatt]

Well I apologize, don't see too many of those around, why I assumed otherwise. As far as I know only on BJ60's.

Regardless I think you are going to be looking at rebuilding the box. Shouldn't be too difficult for after all the other jobs you tackled.

 

[dkyuss]

Well the Beast is a BJ60 so that explains it!

So cleaned up all the old grease and reassembled... Clunk kinda went away, or at least is different.... But I think it is more to do with seating the intermediate shaft as there must be at least 1/4" to 3/8" axial play in the shaft going through the firewall. It is currently pulled down tight and the yoke is now at least 1/2" deeper on the splines on the input shaft.

Axial play into the firewall....

There is still play in the steering wheel/tilt assembly and I may go that deep here to find it out. May just drive it with a minor clunk and monitor it....
All the play seems to be from this pivot point in the tilt mechanism. Likely someone using the steering wheel to get in the truck for several hundred thousand kms. Also marked the 1/4"++ axial play location in the image.

Wondering if retaining clip #15 is possibly missing? and allowing the axial play in the shaft? Not exactly sure what this drawing is showing... Where does the clip go?

 

[cruisermatt]

I had an issue once after removing my steering column, I had separated it from the intermediate shaft to remove. This was a long time ago but I remember having series problems getting the steering column to "seat" back in and learning that it is far easier to separate the intermediate shaft from the steering box.

Anyways, check all around the base of the steering column where it connects to the firewall. I had a hard time getting that clip (#15 in your picture) reinstalled.

 

[dkyuss]

I had an issue once after removing my steering column, I had separated it from the intermediate shaft to remove. This was a long time ago but I remember having series problems getting the steering column to "seat" back in and learning that it is far easier to separate the intermediate shaft from the steering box.

Anyways, check all around the base of the steering column where it connects to the firewall. I had a hard time getting that clip (#15 in your picture) reinstalled.

Do you remember if the clip (15) goes on the firewall side? Is that a bearing at the bottom of the shaft (#13 left arrow is pointing to it) with a groove in it for the clip?

I can grab the yoke closest to firewall and push and it will move ~3/8" into the cabin towards the steering wheel. I assume this is not normal, and that this clip may be MIA. Will look closer tonight.

 

[cruisermatt]

Yes that is a bearing and the clip should go in from the firewall side to prevent the column from moving in towards the cabin.

 

[dkyuss]

Clip is there and is stopping the bearing from falling back through the firewall, but as I say, you can still push the bearing further into the cab by about 3/8" as the clip only engages on the outer tube and provides a stop for the bearing to sit on.
Looking at the firewall side.

And a little confusing as my FSM does not show the split plastic bearing keeper/dust shield and oring. Not sure if I have different parts or missing parts? Will have to download some more FSM's to see if I can find this detail.

 

[cruiserdenmark]

How did this turn out? I am to chasing a similar clunk...