Loud Pop, Funky Steering
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Loud Pop, Funky Steering
1995 Ford F150 4x4. Driving home today, making a right hand turn. I hear a loud pop from the right front and then the steering to the right and recovery feels loose and wobbly from the right hand wheel. Any thoughts?
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 292
From: Laramie, WY
Jack it up and start checking for play. Could also lay under front end, truck off & in park, have a helper turn steering wheel side to side and see if anything is loose in the steering linkage.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Turns left fine. Power steering seems to be working fine with no sign of lost or leaky fluid. No noise from power steering either. No, this is something in the right front wheel area. You all have given me some good pointers. Going to get it up on a jackstand and have a look-see tomorrow. Will report back soon.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Follow-up
On jackstand, checked wheel, it is tight, no wobble. Steering linkage looks good. I could not see anything broken, so I had towed on a flatbad to my mechanic who confirmed what I saw. However he says he hears slight noise coming from diff when turning to the left, and sometimes a grinding noise from front right wheel. I have manual locking hubs. They are definitely unlocked. I am thinking maybe blown or binding hub? I have read on forums that even if hub is unlocked or free it can sometimes stick in locked mode? It has been a while since I used 4x4 (last winter in snow to be exact). Anyhow, I am interested to hear your thoughts.
Trending Topics
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,716
Likes: 583
From: Chillicothe
I got thinking about this cuz it sounded familiar. If your hub isn't unlocked all the way and you have a bad axle ujoint it can cause a funny steering feel. Had it happen to me a couple years ago. Looked at tierods and ball joints no problems. Pulled the whole left side apart and low and behold the ujoint was frozen and would pop when forced to turn.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 273
Likes: 1
The thing is that break doesn't really look new. I would keep looking.
Also check the radius arm bushings. I had an Explorer that those were shot in, it made strange pops and thumps while turning. The transmission quit shifting into overdrive, then the dang thing caught fire after I used it to move a welder in the lot before I got around to fixing it.
Robert
Also check the radius arm bushings. I had an Explorer that those were shot in, it made strange pops and thumps while turning. The transmission quit shifting into overdrive, then the dang thing caught fire after I used it to move a welder in the lot before I got around to fixing it.
Robert
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Yup. She is a bit rusty under there. Here is a picture from last year. What a year can do huh? My goof was to keep checking the passenger side for the problem. Anyhow, just need for my truck to get me through a couple more years until my daughter graduates from college.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 4
From: Baltimore
Greetings my friend.
I appreciate your foresight for getting a 'few more years' out your truck, and your desires for your loved one's success in life, but please have this addressed. This is not safe for you, or others.
Kind regards,
Dan.
I appreciate your foresight for getting a 'few more years' out your truck, and your desires for your loved one's success in life, but please have this addressed. This is not safe for you, or others.
Kind regards,
Dan.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Dan, as per previous posts it is with my mechanic now. Also mentioned that I just replaced a rear leaf spring hanger recently. Thanks for your concern, but not for the insinuation that I have a lack thereof.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
CTHal
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Jun 8, 2008 09:07 AM