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Steering Clunk, Or???

Mad Maxx said:
Damn that's pretty Cheap.

How hard is it to Change them out?
Click to expand...

It is really no big deal but there is one very important thing. You cannot let the steering wheel spin while the shaft is unhooked. You have to have a way to hold the wheel in place. There is a tool for this but a ratchet strap hooked under the seat and to the wheel will do fine. Just do not let that wheel turn while the shaft is out. It can and likely will mess up the clock spring in the steering column.
 
James: If you already have the green bushing, then I would keep that one as it contains needle bearings. The white bushing has ball bearings. I have the same setup as Bill. The newer OEM with the white bushing and a hose clamp and have had no problems since. I think you will be fine with just the newer OEM ISS shaft. Oh yeah, follow the install advice of the posts above! ;)
 
Well, finally got around to Replacing my Steering Shaft Today. Pulled Out the Stock One, and Compared it to the New One I got. They Look the same, but Apparently they aren't? Even the Casting Numbers are the same on the Shafts.

But I still have the Clunk.

So now I'm Thinking it's something else.

I had the Shocks, Cognito UCA's, and Cognito Tie Rods Installed at the same Time, but the Ball Joints weren't Installed the "Right" way the First Time because the Cognito Instructions Show 2 Different Ways to Install them, but don't Say what Way to Install the Ball Joints for what App.

Could them being Installed the Wrong Way the First Time have Caused them to Crap Out Early on me? Could my Shocks be Blown already? Could it be the Tie Rods? Front Hubs?

What's the Procedure to Test these things Out?

The Sound it Makes is like a Hollow Clunking Sound, like something is Loose or not Tightened Down all the way, and there is "Play" in it.
 
Hum, I don't know what it possibly could be. Most of the ISS clunks sound and feel exactly like what your describing.

When I bought my 02, it had quite the nasty clunk. After removing the steering column entirely 3-4 times when installing my PWDL and alarm, it has yet to come back at all. Only thing i can think of is compressing the column all the way distributed the grease throughly.
 
Just went Out and Jacked Up the Driver Side Tire Off the Ground. Grabbed it at 12 O'Clock Position and Yanked Towards & Away from Me...Nothing. Grabbed it at 9 O'Clock Position and Yanked Towards & Away from Me...Nothing. No Movement.

Same thing on the Passenger Side. No Movement. Not even a Wiggle.

Could it be the Pitman or Idler Parts?

The Steering is as Tight and Nice as can be. Tighter than with the Previous Steering Shaft. No Play In the Steering at all.
 
The ball joints sound as if they are fine along with all of your other components. Did you do the hose clamp on the end of the bushing? Just be aware, you will never get rid of ALL the noise or the clunk feeling, but will reduce it about 90-95%.
 
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Got a Pic Uploading now of where I have the Clamp.

But the Noise is Loud enough that it's like "wtf is that Clunking Sound?"

I'm kinda Starting to Think it might be the Sway Bar Mount Bushings. Thing is, I have an Aftermarket Sway Bar, and I can't Find a 1.5" Bushing.
 
IMG-20110407-00009.jpg
 
I Tightened it with my Snap-On Cordless Ratchet, so it's On there Good & TIGHT.

I just dunno what to Look for / where to Look anymore, after I Check Out the Sway Bar Bushings Tomorrow.
 
Ok, so I Replaced the Steering Shaft and Sway Bar Bushings...the Clunk is still there.

I can Hear it Outside the Truck when I Drive with the Windows Down, Feel it In the Steering Wheel, and Feel it in the Floor. It's not Bad, but it's enough to Feel & Hear it.

The Truck Drives Straight, Steering is Tight and Responsive, all things that can be Greased are.

Where else can I Look or what else should I Look at? This is Driving me Crazy. Something def. isn't right.

Could my Shocks be Shot already? They only have a Couple Thousand Miles on them, prob. not even 5-6k.
 
Ok, I Think I got the Caliper Rattle.

I Saw the other Thread about someone Thinking they have Steering Clunk, and Caliper Rattle came up in the Thread.

So I did Rode the Brakes while going over Bumps and I'm pretty sure the Rattle went away.

I also was Under the Truck the other Looking at everything that Moves, trying to Find SOMETHING that is Loose. I Grabbed the Calipers, and I can Wiggle them with my Hands. I know they are supposed ot Move a lil bit, but IMO, mine Move more than they should.

So how do I Fix this?
 
Are you do for a brake job yet? If your going to take everything apart, you may as well do a brake job while your at it. If not, try taking the tire off and see if you can tighten the caliper bolts. Definitely need more investigation there.
 
I just had new Pads & Calipers put On not even 1000 Miles ago.

This problem was here before the Brake Job though.
 
Get new caliper pins and bushings from any parts store. Use a drill to remove what's left of the old rubber bushings down inside the calipers. Press the new bushings in, lube the pins with synthetic disc brake grease and put them back together. The annoying rattle/clunking sound should go away.

They were something like $9 per set when I bought mine from autozone. Best part is, the new pins have a hex head so you can use a wrench instead of a dumb torx socket that almost always slips out.
 
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