Clunking Noise From Steering Column

[CUDA JAS]

I have a nasty clunk coming form my steering column.

here is a video:



Any ideas what would be causing this.

I know its not the crush can, as I have pulled that off and still get the clunk when I turn the steering shaft.

Jason

[CudamanTom]

Jason,
Sounds like a solid thud noise. Is the steering box under the hood bolted down tightly?

[Chryco Psycho]

Is there play in the wheel before the wheels turn , the shoes inside the coupler could be inserted in the wrong direction , they will go in 2 ways but the wide part has to be horizontal so thereis no slack

[CUDA JAS]

Jason,
Sounds like a solid thud noise. Is the steering box under the hood bolted down tightly?

Yes, but I will double check.

Is there play in the wheel before the wheels turn , the shoes inside the coupler could be inserted in the wrong direction , they will go in 2 ways but the wide part has to be horizontal so thereis no slack

I have never had the coupler apart, so I will assume it is correct.

That being said, it sounds to me like the noise is coming from inside the car, not under the hood.

[anlauto]

Man...you need power steering Look at the fore arms on the guy...

[ammo]

Never really looked over the column on my car but I assume there are bolts/bracket holding the column up?  are those tight?

[CUDA JAS]

Man...you need power steering Look at the fore arms on the guy...

Gee thanks Allan...I think.

I am working on the power steering.

Never really looked over the column on my car but I assume there are bolts/bracket holding the column up?  are those tight?

I never thought of that...I will check them.

Jason

[Chryco Psycho]

Doesn't seem to be up & down movement just rotational  , if the shoes were in the couple wrong the wheel would have play 1/2 or so each way before it moved the wheels or steering box , , nothing should be clunking inside the column as it rotates so maybe in the mounting ?

[CUDA JAS]

Doesn't seem to be up & down movement just rotational  , if the shoes were in the couple wrong the wheel would have play 1/2 or so each way before it moved the wheels or steering box , , nothing should be clunking inside the column as it rotates so maybe in the mounting ?

Mounting bolts are all tight and there is no up and down movement in the column.

There is a little bit of play in the column, but certainly not 1/2 inch.

I am in the process of switching to power steering, so I will pull this apart and see if I can figure out what the noise is...just for fun.

Jason

[CUDA JAS]

So, a little update...I pulled the column out of the car tonight.  I disassembled it as I went.

I did not find anything obvious in the interior portion of the column.

I did however find this:



I wonder if that was it.

One of the reasons I am switching the column, was the very crappy looking weld on the shaft, it has always bothered me a little.  What I realized once I pulled the column out is that the shaft is not quite straight.  So I am thinking that has something to do with it too!



Jason

[anlauto]

I have new rebuild kits in stock......I think