Clunking in the steering column
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 10
From: Thornton, Colorado
Clunking in the steering column
I think the upper bearing for my steering column is going out. It is just hard to steer at times, and then it seems to free up with a clunk. The bearings don't seem to expensive, but I hate to throw money at an issue without knowing I am at least throwing it in the right direction. Any advice would be appreciated.
I really don't think it is further down based on the feel, but I really don't know. It does not seem to have any play in any direction. I have tugged and pulled every way I can think, and nothing seems to be loose.
I really don't think it is further down based on the feel, but I really don't know. It does not seem to have any play in any direction. I have tugged and pulled every way I can think, and nothing seems to be loose.
Last edited by Broomfieldbum; Jun 23, 2011 at 08:47 PM. Reason: misspelled word
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,389
Likes: 58
Is your gear box adequately lubed?
The easiest way to know what is wrong and not throw money at it is to pull stuff part and inspect it. One possibility is that the collar nuts have loosened. It can allow a little bit of play that is noticeable while driving but be a little more difficult to reproduce when trouble shooting. But it probably won't make it more difficult to steer.
The easiest way to know what is wrong and not throw money at it is to pull stuff part and inspect it. One possibility is that the collar nuts have loosened. It can allow a little bit of play that is noticeable while driving but be a little more difficult to reproduce when trouble shooting. But it probably won't make it more difficult to steer.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,315
Likes: 0
From: Rossmoor at Seal Beach
I had similar symptoms on mine , and it was oddly enough, bad front spring shackles, causing the front end to shift from side to side! a new set of Shackles was 38 bucks at the local Auto Parts, and problem solved... they are however a bugger to install. Also when was the last time you lubed the Steering gear?
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 790
From: Simi Valley, CA
Since the OP's 1966 F100 2WD has Twin-I-Beam front suspension, it would not have front spring shackles.
2) C3DZ-3517-A .. Upper/Lower Steering Column Bearing / Available from Ford.
MSRP each: $10.68 // FTE sponsor PARTSGUYED.COM price each: $7.69.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
2) B1AZ-3518-A .. Upper/Lower Steering Column Bearing Sleeve / Available from Ford.
MSRP each: $10.12 // PARTSGUYED.COM price each: $7.28.
2) C3DZ-3517-A .. Upper/Lower Steering Column Bearing / Available from Ford.
MSRP each: $10.68 // FTE sponsor PARTSGUYED.COM price each: $7.69.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
2) B1AZ-3518-A .. Upper/Lower Steering Column Bearing Sleeve / Available from Ford.
MSRP each: $10.12 // PARTSGUYED.COM price each: $7.28.
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 10
From: Thornton, Colorado
Since the OP's 1966 F100 2WD has Twin-I-Beam front suspension, it would not have front spring shackles.
2) C3DZ-3517-A .. Upper/Lower Steering Column Bearing / Available from Ford.
MSRP each: $10.68 // FTE sponsor PARTSGUYED.COM price each: $7.69.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
2) B1AZ-3518-A .. Upper/Lower Steering Column Bearing Sleeve / Available from Ford.
MSRP each: $10.12 // PARTSGUYED.COM price each: $7.28.
2) C3DZ-3517-A .. Upper/Lower Steering Column Bearing / Available from Ford.
MSRP each: $10.68 // FTE sponsor PARTSGUYED.COM price each: $7.69.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
2) B1AZ-3518-A .. Upper/Lower Steering Column Bearing Sleeve / Available from Ford.
MSRP each: $10.12 // PARTSGUYED.COM price each: $7.28.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 3
From: Tempe
i wouldnt be able to answer that.... but i kno that to find the problem... start with whats most logic to the situation such as like you said replace the bearing. if thats not it then down to the next step. it sucks, but with these trucks if you dont kno the problem not much you can do.
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 825
Likes: 2
From: Dallas, Texas
Bum,
I really don't believe the symptoms you have described are due to bad bearings in the steering column.
Altho it may sound like it is high in the column, I would bet the noise is being telegraphed up the steering shaft by another steering part. Box seems a possible but unlikely candidate and my money is on steering linkage somewhere beyond steering box.
I think you can't put enough pressure by hand to reproduce the sound, so you may need to visit a steering or alignment shop or get an assistant under the front end to pinpoint the culprit as you turn the wheel.
I really don't believe the symptoms you have described are due to bad bearings in the steering column.
Altho it may sound like it is high in the column, I would bet the noise is being telegraphed up the steering shaft by another steering part. Box seems a possible but unlikely candidate and my money is on steering linkage somewhere beyond steering box.
I think you can't put enough pressure by hand to reproduce the sound, so you may need to visit a steering or alignment shop or get an assistant under the front end to pinpoint the culprit as you turn the wheel.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 2
From: Parkville, MO (KC)
Bum,
I really don't believe the symptoms you have described are due to bad bearings in the steering column.
Altho it may sound like it is high in the column, I would bet the noise is being telegraphed up the steering shaft by another steering part. Box seems a possible but unlikely candidate and my money is on steering linkage somewhere beyond steering box.
I think you can't put enough pressure by hand to reproduce the sound, so you may need to visit a steering or alignment shop or get an assistant under the front end to pinpoint the culprit as you turn the wheel.
I really don't believe the symptoms you have described are due to bad bearings in the steering column.
Altho it may sound like it is high in the column, I would bet the noise is being telegraphed up the steering shaft by another steering part. Box seems a possible but unlikely candidate and my money is on steering linkage somewhere beyond steering box.
I think you can't put enough pressure by hand to reproduce the sound, so you may need to visit a steering or alignment shop or get an assistant under the front end to pinpoint the culprit as you turn the wheel.
When you jack it up, can you turn it easy from side to side? With the manual steering, you should be able to actually turn the wheels from the ground (if they are off the ground) and the steering wheel will turn.
Have an assistant hold the steering wheel and you try and turn the steering from below. How much play?
Finally, are the king pins greased? Do they take easy? With the front jacked up, can you detect any "tilt" or top/bottom in out play of the wheels? If yes, then the kings and/or front bearings are shot....
In the end, the possible culprit may be the steering gear itself. They do have some lube in there and they are adjustable. But generally, you can lube and adjust them only a little, because whatever caused them to lose the lube or get out of adjustment also is a terminal process....
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