I've got this lound snapping sound coming from my steering box when I turn about 25% to the left. but not when I turn back to center. I have located it to the box, and not any other point in the steering.. Has anyone ever had this problem? is this something that could be repaired at home, or a problem where I'll need to replace the whole steering box? Thanks

 

Fast,

Can you replicate the noise when the front end is raised and supported?

I'm guessing you may have ball issues, and may be able to make it a little better with preload adjustment, maybe not. Either way, the front end has to be unloaded for the adjustment.

 

More than likely, it is the infamous frame-rail crack right beside the steering box. These bodies are notorious for breaking there.

Get under the car with the front supported on jack stands at the frame. Lower it onto a tall wood block under the left front wheel until some of the weight is on the block, but the car's weight is mostly on the stands (safety, but the wheel should be loaded)

While you are under there, listen for the cracking sound while a buddy is turning the wheel back and forth (won't take much, +/- 45* or so) Depending on how bad it is, you will probably be able to see the crack deforming under the load.

Takes about $20 and/or a six-pack of your welder's favorite brew and 10 minutes of time to fix. Afterwards, find a steering brace (A.K.A. wonder-bar) from a mid-late model IROC and install it. Troubles will be over.

hth

 

Actually Vader.. thast a good point I have never checked it with the car jacked up. What do you mean by pre-load adjustment? How would I go about doing this?

PonchoTA : I really hope my frame doesn't have a crack in it.. But I'll check too, when I jack it up.. Are you refering to a strut tower brace? Thanks for the replys so far..

 

Pre-load is the lash adjustment for the recirculating ball screw. If you haven't adjusted it already, chances are it isn't a problem. The tendency is to adjust them a little too tight, contributing to noise and accelerated wear.

Poncho is talking about the factory-installed lower steering brace that was available on our cars, and is available in the aftermarket.

http://www.spohn.net/index.cfm?fusea...&categoryid=55



It stiffens the span between the lower edges of the subframe rails, helping to prevent this flex and improving steering response. If you can't find one, your welder/fabricator can easily fabricate on for you from 1" CrMo square tubing and some ¼" plate stock, or you can help support our board spnsors and get a really nice powder-coated version from Steve Spohn for $60.

That would be the cool thing to do.

 

Actually, it's not really that big of a deal, if you catch it before major damage occurs. The frame rails are very weak in that area, and repairing it is not very complicated or expensive.
No, not the strut tower brace (couldn't hurt later though!), but what Vader just posted. lonsal also has a very nice brace as well, costs less than Spohn's too, just FYI (topdownsolutions.com)

hth

 

Cool, thanks guys.. that steering brace is nice, and the price is good too.. I'll have to look in to it..

 

Opening this thread up again.. I have the car jacked up, right now it's on jack stands under the A-Arms instead of the frame rails. and there is not snap sound from the steering.. can anyone post a pic where the fracture would be.. Any other ideas? Thanks

 

I just had a nother look and noticed that this idler arm has a lot of play.. could this cause a snap sound?

 

Well I am positive now.. the noise is coming from the right of the steering box.. not the box, and not the idler arm.. though the play in that will probably be looked at after I solve this noise.

Odds are it's probably the fracture.. I'm gonna see if I can find it.
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UPDATE:
- No Facture found. (This is a good thing)..
- Did discover the upper mounting bolt was loose
Tightened this bolt, and the noise was gone..

- Will hunt down a "Wonder bar"..