What have I done, Please help!!

[AllenTenT]

I took an adventerous turn inspired by "MUD" while mucking about in the veld the other day I heard something touch but thought it was just sand no rocks about just big mounds also went through a little ditch I couldnt see as the sun was blinding me it was narrow like a pothole ,,,,is wasnt a big deal nothing the Cruiser cant handle
Today I hear a noise when turning, get under the car and there is a crazy creaking when the steering is turned,, I cant see anything bend and i didnt really hit anything, please help!

 

[jamisobe]

Maybe, if your lucky, you got some dirt, a pebble, or sand lodged in there somewhere. I have had luck before after just such a scare with a good powerwashing. Good luck.

 

[MDarius]

Any other symptoms? Is the steering wheel oriented correctly?

 

[AllenTenT]

The steering wheel orientation is as before, I dont notice any other symtoms just this spine tinkling creaking, Im going for a drive just now I focus real hard and see what feedback I can get, tks

 

[AllenTenT]

I stuck the truck up on stands and fiddled with the steering, at first i thought the creaking was coming from the steering box, but when getting up close, Im think the OEM steering damper, I have taken the two bolts out that hold its mount plate to the chassis, worked the steering again and the noise seems to be gone, this could also be because of less damper resistance in the system Im not sure,
i want to take the whole thing off and drive around a bit,,
see if the noise is gone, any thoughts? I seem to remeber somewhere that there was a trick getting the damper off

Tks

 

[AllenTenT]

I had a blonde moment there,, I took out the jack stands to get some resistance on the wheels, and the noise is still there so its not the damper and its around the steering box, its not in any specific steering wheel position more like its proportionate to resistance any help would be much appreciated, what could make a creaking noise in the steering box?

 

[-Spike-]

Is something binding on the knuckle ball? Perhaps one of the flanges that holds the felt seals got bent over and is dragging. Hell, there's a lot of stuff moving with the steering, get someone to turn it while you're under the truck listening. Get a mechanic's stethoscope, it might help isolate the noise.

-Spike

 

[AllenTenT]

I did some extensive searching, with the wife working the steering wheel , its quite nerve racking having your head in there trying to pin point where the noise is coming from, engine running she almost squeezed my head against the steering box, I had a hand on all possible areas feeling for vibration and finaly got it down to the panhard, Im now thinking the bush on the chassis side could be the culpret, I was amazed at how much movment takes place under there when the wheel is turned, If I take off the chassis side of the panhard and do the turn test again will I be putting any strain on anything that I shouldnt be doing. besides play in the bush which I observed, is there anything else obvious in removing it that its time for a new one, tks

 

[Beowulf]

I did some extensive searching, with the wife [... ] besides play in the bush which I observed ...

Nahh. Too easy, and would probably get your whole thread moved to chat.

-B-

 

[AllenTenT]

Nahh. Too easy, and would probably get your whole thread moved to chat.

-B-

I took the panhard off to check out the bushing, firstly im sure the bolt should have been tighter and second the metal insert in the bush was all shiny from metal rub on one side: that would be the creaking so not such a big deal after all , however I am surprised at the fact that there is play to allow this to have happend, I would think the bolt through the bush and the holes in the frame should be a more snug fit, ?
Anybody know the torque spec on these bolts? tks
I am learning to panic less and trust the car more! its amazing that somthing so small could sound so bad,