Hello All. I have seen some posts on possibly similar issues but I think it did not address my problems.

I have this odd popping feeling in my steering wheel. I have a 2013 E350 that has a lift. I used the bent I beam front end kit from Weldtec designs. Anyway, that kit did not come with a dropped pitman arm FWIW. My steering linkages are newish Moog inner and outer(maybe 15K miles). I have had two very trusted alignment shops totally comb through my front end, and all is reported to be in great shape. I also added the ambulance steering damper kit to my van. I do not notice any odd or loose play in my steering wheel. I also notice that if I press the steering wheel down (leaning back against the seat), I can feel the same "popping" in the wheel and notice that it does in fact move forward and back. I have not checked the steering linkage, but figured since I have some modifications to my front end, I might attempt for some advice here before heading to the dealership. Thanks in advance for any pointers.

 

This "pop" is in the steer wheel itself??? You can move the steering wheel up and down, locked it tilt of course.......

Could be the bearings in the steering column making that noise.

There are 3 bearing in the steering column shaft.

If you use the steering wheel to 'pull yourself in the van' that tears the bearings up.

That's why after '03? they added the grab handle to the 'A' pillar. That saves the bearing in the steering column.

 

Why do you think the lift requires a dropped pitman arm?

How long have you had the lift installed and what size lift did you install?

It sounds like the problem is in the column itself.

 

Badback- I do not think it does have anything to do with the kit from Weldtec. I think it is in fact probably in the steering column. I simply was laying out the detail of how this van was setup. My experiences with Weldtec have been top shelf, and that was confirmed by the two groups who looked at it. I do think it is somewhere in the column. Actually Jeremy called and recommended a couple of ways to dig into this. Planning to giver a go soon.

 

Please post some pictures of your van. Maybe even a build thread. I will be posting one very soon. I ordered the 4 inch kit. I hope to have installed this weekend. Jeremy has been very helpful throughout the entire process so far.

Again pictures please!