Steering column rattle (Yes, I researched first) (1 Viewer)

[TorchRedTulsan]

So I've been researching here and other places for the last 2 days and am not certain if I've found a thread that addresses what I'm experiencing

I have a '98 LC with the manual tilt only steering column. There isn't any play in the wheel, side to side or up and down. It drives just fine around town and I haven't noticed anything unusual when driving over the many speedbumps in my neighborhood. I've read about the bushings, the ujoint, and the clip by the brake pedal

That said, I recently took my truck up in the mountains on some forest roads. When I got to a point where the road was all rocks, my steering column rattled way more than I would've expected. Is this normal? I realize it's hard to diagnose with limited info, but I was hoping to find a common fix here once I got off the mountain (I started searching at the diner as soon as I was back in cell service)

For those who like pictures, here was where the road ended

 

[Ninja Cruiser100]

It could be any of a dozen things. I would get it up on a rack for an inspection. Recently I had similar symptoms...it was a bad steering rack, ball joints and axles.

I hope you fare better.

 

[TXLX100]

Is it a noise or excessive vibration / movement of the steering wheel?

 

[TorchRedTulsan]

Is it a noise or excessive vibration / movement of the steering wheel?

It "felt" like the column was moving independent of the rest of the interior. Best way I can think to describe it is the column was moving with the axle instead of with the body of the truck. It would clunk, sounding like it was hitting the the side of the column housing

 

[TXLX100]

It "felt" like the column was moving independent of the rest of the interior. Best way I can think to describe it is the column was moving with the axle instead of with the body of the truck. It would clunk, sounding like it was hitting the the side of the column housing

Could be a lot of things. Jack up the front, look for play in tie rods (inner and outer), and steering rack bushings. Also possible steering column U-joints / shafts are worn, though less common.

 

[Rolocado]

Steering intermediate shaft.