Steering Column Clunk
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,558
Likes: 26
From: Bay Area
Steering Column Clunk
When I come to a complete stop, I hear and feel an annoying clunking noise. The steering is not sloppy. Is there an adjustment to the steering box that will stop the noise? Maybe a worn out bushing?
A friend of mine who is a mechanic for a local city department told me this noise is typical for Ford vans. He said the cheapest fix is to buy a steering box from a van at pick and pull. Seems like hit or miss for me.
A friend of mine who is a mechanic for a local city department told me this noise is typical for Ford vans. He said the cheapest fix is to buy a steering box from a van at pick and pull. Seems like hit or miss for me.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,112
Likes: 286
From: Eastern TN
I get an axial (in-out) clunk as I accelerate. I don't feel it slowing down. I can't replicate it tugging on the steering wheel while parked or at a stop. The box seems tightly bolted to the frame. Most of the suspension is new. I don't feel the clunk through the body, only through the steering column. Oops, this is your thread, not mine 
Yeah, if it's typical for the type, why would you bother with a used box?
Did you check the coupling where the steering column attaches to the steering box?
Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 185K miles
Yeah, if it's typical for the type, why would you bother with a used box?
Did you check the coupling where the steering column attaches to the steering box?
Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 185K miles
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,558
Likes: 26
From: Bay Area
I have not checked the coupling. I know where the steering box is located. Should I check for play? Can this be tightened? The mechanic said that a used steering box is cheaper. My thoughts are that I will be buying the same problem.
Is the problem in the steering box or the column itself?
Is the problem in the steering box or the column itself?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Typically if the problem were in the coupling or U-joint it would be readily be felt during driving or turning. Since this clunk happens mostly during the times the chassis is reacting to a change in forces (brake, acceleration) it's just as likely to be a loose shock.
Worn steering components give a feedback of sorts through the steering wheel and if you're not noticing any abnormal feeling its probably not related to the box or other parts.
Depending on your van's mileage it could be a worn steering box but my gut says (from personal experience) its a loose shock.
Worn steering components give a feedback of sorts through the steering wheel and if you're not noticing any abnormal feeling its probably not related to the box or other parts.
Depending on your van's mileage it could be a worn steering box but my gut says (from personal experience) its a loose shock.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 70
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From: Chicago
I had a steering wheel clunk on my '99 E150. all front steering components were new, drag links, ball joints, tie rods etc... turned out to be the coupling that attaches the lower steering shaft to the steering box had play in it. had to buy a new shaft on ebay because it was difficult to find. (the way I diagnosed mine was to wrap electrical tape very tightly around this coupling and then rocked the steering wheel back and forth with the engine off and found the noise was gone)
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,558
Likes: 26
From: Bay Area
I had a steering wheel clunk on my '99 E150. all front steering components were new, drag links, ball joints, tie rods etc... turned out to be the coupling that attaches the lower steering shaft to the steering box had play in it. had to buy a new shaft on ebay because it was difficult to find. (the way I diagnosed mine was to wrap electrical tape very tightly around this coupling and then rocked the steering wheel back and forth with the engine off and found the noise was gone)
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