Steering Box Problem
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Michigan
Steering Box Problem
Recently I have noticed a clunk in the front end when hitting bumps.
I just looked under the front end and inspected everything with no thought of anything being bad since all the front end steering and suspension components have been replaced within the past two years.
Going into the search for this clunk I figured there's something wrong with the steering box. So I gave the shaft entering the box a wiggle, and wiggle it shall.
There is a lot of play and I suspect that this is the clunk I'm feeling and hearing. It is very noticeable and I'm 100% sure that this is the problem.
How do I repair this problem before it gets worse? New steering box? Adjustment?
I just looked under the front end and inspected everything with no thought of anything being bad since all the front end steering and suspension components have been replaced within the past two years.
Going into the search for this clunk I figured there's something wrong with the steering box. So I gave the shaft entering the box a wiggle, and wiggle it shall.
There is a lot of play and I suspect that this is the clunk I'm feeling and hearing. It is very noticeable and I'm 100% sure that this is the problem.
How do I repair this problem before it gets worse? New steering box? Adjustment?
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 768
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From: Michigan
Just an update. Just visited the Ford dealer and asked if the joint can be replaced and they told me the it's the entire shaft and I asked a price and they said $173.
Anyone out there know if the steering shaft joint can be replaced l thought that it would be something like changing a smaller u-joint but for steering.
Anyone out there know if the steering shaft joint can be replaced l thought that it would be something like changing a smaller u-joint but for steering.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2009
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There are several variations on the steering coupling between the steering shaft and the upper shaft. A fiber washer, a u-joint, a swivel type. If this is what you speak of, they are pretty easy to swap out. The big pain is getting to it. Hope this is what you are speaking of.
Jay
Jay
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Joined: Jun 2009
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As an aside Joe, my daughter's 04 malibu was making a clunk up front on bumps and we couldn't figure it out till the steering lines broke and went out. Apparently the mounting bolts for the rack came loose and allowed the rack to move back and forth which eventually contorted enough to bend the metal hydraulic lines at a right angle to where they both leaked at the bends. I couldn't fix it on the street in the rain with no jack stands to get under it and took it to the shop for a new rack at almost $500. Week later the clunk came back. Took it back in and they retightened the rack bolts. Week or so later the clunk comes back again. This time they check it and the bolts for the rack mounting bracket or whatever were loose. They didn't check those when they replaced the rack. Tightened those bolts and so far so good for a year now.
Off hand, I don't know if ford uses a rack with pinion or what without looking. I know the malibu had a separate hydraulic power steering unit where the steering wheel came in with two steel lines that went from that unit to the rack assembly.
Off hand, I don't know if ford uses a rack with pinion or what without looking. I know the malibu had a separate hydraulic power steering unit where the steering wheel came in with two steel lines that went from that unit to the rack assembly.
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 768
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From: Michigan
thanks for the input i will check my power steering gear box. this is far from a rack and pinion steering however. gave me an idea to check the gear box maybe a bolt is lose from when i did the pitman arm but i'm pretty sure the steering shaft is the culprit, have to wait till the weekend to really get a good look at it though.
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Oct 22, 2012 05:21 PM
