Jerky steering

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Oct 5, 2008 | 06:17 PM

chuter

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Joined: Aug 2008

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Jerky steering

This just started when the temps got below 40. Steering in my '03 Expy became jerky. Easy for an eight of a turn of the steering wheel, then hard, then easy, then hard again. Kind of like how a universal joint goes when it's at a severe angle. It went away as the day warmed to the 60's and I drove the Expy longer. Strange. Any suggestions as to what this may be a sign of? Steering rack? Ball joints? Thanks for your help.

Oct 5, 2008 | 07:03 PM

cbradford

Fleet Owner

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 20,637

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From: Lost in Pa.

Sounds like the rack to me. Is there any abnormal noise at the time your having the problem?

Oct 5, 2008 | 07:31 PM

alloro

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Joined: Apr 2008

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From: 0,0,1

First look at the simple stuff like the belt could be slipping, or the 'steering shaft' to 'steering gear' coupler could be binding.

Oct 6, 2008 | 08:11 AM

chuter

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Will do. I asked my local dealer on Saturday and he was stumped. The temperature thing puzzled him. If it were the ball joints he thought they would not react that way. Thanks again. I'll post what I find.

Oct 6, 2008 | 12:08 PM

chuter

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cbradford: Nope, no noise.

Oct 6, 2008 | 01:56 PM

JaySVX

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 1,955

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From: Eastern PA

Sounds like the power steering pump is going.

Oct 6, 2008 | 02:31 PM

cbradford

Fleet Owner

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 20,637

Likes: 37

From: Lost in Pa.

If the ball joints were bad you would hear a knocking/clunk noise going over bumps, starting and stopping. If the belt was bad you would here it squeal unless it's broken.

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Oct 8, 2008 | 10:23 AM

chuter

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It seems that alloro may have hit the nail on the head. KISS, worked again. I lubed the steering column/shaft where it passes through the firewall and at the two u-joints on its way to the rack. I sprayed it heavily with Tri-Flow. I drove it about 30 miles last evening and noticed a dramatic difference. No more jerking. For now, that seems to be the fix. It hasn't gotten down in to the 30's again so I'll see what the colder temps do. Again, thanks for all your help.