Steering Column Issues
I am convinced I have some issues in between my steering wheel, and where my rack connects into the intermediate shaft.
I replaced my steering rack and bushings, tie rods, and front/rear shocks (OEM) about 2 months ago. I added 1.5 coils in the rear, and adjusted my torsion bars to lift about 1.25 inch. Alignment after install. Since replacing it, I have had a few issues.
A little bit of context, when I removed the intermediate shaft I had to bang on it with a pry bar and a hammer to slide it up off the splines. It made some noticeable dents in the U joint itself. I also would here the horn beep every time I would bang on the shaft.
I tried to address the misaligned rack first. I was able to get it centered, and assessed the intermediate rack while I had it removed. Grabbing both sides of the joint and twisting yields a slight amount of play. I also noticed that when I tried to twist the u joint as it rotates when it is connected, I felt it bind up slightly at certain points. I am predicting that replacing this will solve the binding up when turning left, and possibly some of the other symptoms. I had to bang on it some more removing it this time, and the wandering symptoms are now worse. I had the shop also rebalance the front wheels to attack the 50mph vibration. No luck.
Rack alignment, while necessary, had little to no effect in any of these issues. I ordered a new intermediate shaft but have not recieved it yet.
-I feel confident part, or most of these issues will resolve with the replacement of the intermediate shaft.
-The “creak” in the steering wheel I assume can be fixed with some lubricant in the right spot.
-I am wanting to know how I might diagnose or get to the bottom of the play in the steering wheel, as I am hopeful that is a large cause of the steering issues.
I am convinced I have some issues in between my steering wheel, and where my rack connects into the intermediate shaft.
I replaced my steering rack and bushings, tie rods, and front/rear shocks (OEM) about 2 months ago. I added 1.5 coils in the rear, and adjusted my torsion bars to lift about 1.25 inch. Alignment after install. Since replacing it, I have had a few issues.
- Steering wheel would bind and have dead spots when turning left. It had slight dead spots before, but now it has multiple. I could also turn it left, and it would “lock up” if I turned far enough. Meaning To try and turn it back it requires some force to get it to “unbind”. When I was trying to diagnose this, I jacked up the front, turned it until it locked and bound, and when I turned the wheels back straight my steering wheel was no longer aligned with my front wheels. I also noticed while I had a coworker turn lock to lock, that the steering intermediate shaft would bump the oil dipstick tube and you could feel that knock in the steering wheel. I also could turn left more than I could turn right. (Misaligned rack)
- Steering felt really odd with different pitches in the road. I would describe it as a wander, and If the vehicle goes over a slight roll the wheels are unpredictable and the vehicle pitches one direction. Going over a raised crosswalk ( used as a speedbump, 5 feet wide but not very high) I notice the entire front of vehicle kind of wobbles coming off of it when the weight of the engine comes back in the front. Almost as if the wheels are reacting on their own, vehicle is just generally hard to control and you feel like you are riding in a boat on a relatively windy day. I also notice that I can go straight down 1 road with the steering wheel slightly cocked right, but then after driving again on the same road later the steering wheel is straight.
- Steering wheel vibrations (they existed before, but are much worse now) that are noticeable at all speeds. Occasional clunking noise when going over bumps. More so than vibrations, if I take my hands off the steering wheel I notice it “wobbles” side to side.
- A vibration coming from the right side at 50-55mph. Sounds like a very low, faint, “wub-wub-wub-wub”
- Creaking or clicking coming from steering wheel. Sounds like it is right behind the airbag at about 10 and 2
- After noticing these symptoms, My investigation has found that when I turn the steering wheel with one hand and hold the column by the firewall, I have a small amount of play in the steering wheel. It moves about 1/4-1/2 inch both ways. Also, if I grab the intermediate shaft and shake it I can move it up and down and side to side a lot. I can do the same wit the column on the other side of the firewall.
A little bit of context, when I removed the intermediate shaft I had to bang on it with a pry bar and a hammer to slide it up off the splines. It made some noticeable dents in the U joint itself. I also would here the horn beep every time I would bang on the shaft.
I tried to address the misaligned rack first. I was able to get it centered, and assessed the intermediate rack while I had it removed. Grabbing both sides of the joint and twisting yields a slight amount of play. I also noticed that when I tried to twist the u joint as it rotates when it is connected, I felt it bind up slightly at certain points. I am predicting that replacing this will solve the binding up when turning left, and possibly some of the other symptoms. I had to bang on it some more removing it this time, and the wandering symptoms are now worse. I had the shop also rebalance the front wheels to attack the 50mph vibration. No luck.
Rack alignment, while necessary, had little to no effect in any of these issues. I ordered a new intermediate shaft but have not recieved it yet.
-I feel confident part, or most of these issues will resolve with the replacement of the intermediate shaft.
-The “creak” in the steering wheel I assume can be fixed with some lubricant in the right spot.
-I am wanting to know how I might diagnose or get to the bottom of the play in the steering wheel, as I am hopeful that is a large cause of the steering issues.