So I just noticed a few weeks after replacing my OE rag joint steering shaft with the DSE/Borgeson shaft that now I have a popping noise whenever I move the wheel from center. It only makes noise when moving off center and no where else while turning. It seems to be getting worse as just a few days ago I didn’t even notice it.

The sound is definitely coming from the column area as it can only be heard in the interior and not in the engine bay.

I may just go back to the rag joint as it didn’t seem too bad and I can’t stand this noise. I was just looking for crisper steering as I have replaced most of the old worn out components.

 

My guess would be there's something unhappy with the relationship of the joints in the shaft as they travel through their range of motion and what you're hearing is binding. There was an episode of something where Mike Finnegan was talking about this but I don't remember what. Is it possible to re-index the joints? Maybe watch them while someone else turns the wheel?

 

It sure seems that way, maybe I could get the wife to twist the wheel while I look but I was moving the steering shaft slightly from the engine bay as there is a little play and no noise on the engine bay side... I cant get the video of this to upload of course. I am really thinking this is because of that upgraded Borgeson shaft, which would suck as it was not cheap, but I kept the OE rag joint that wasn't in bad shape. I will likely swap them out quick tomorrow and report back.

 

Here is the video, finally got it to load.

 

Well I think I solved that mystery, as soon as I yanked the DSE shaft and put in the rag joint OE shaft my noise went away.

It’s really unfortunate that the new shaft was making noise like that and will now be relegated to the parts bin or I may sell it to try to get back some of my money.

One thing I will try is the Hawks Astro bearing upgrade, I did a search and found out the much cheaper crown one has issues fitting. I will update my build thread once I get the Hawks bearing. At this point I am pretty good at removing the steering shaft lol.