steering noise

Hi

I have a problem with the power steering on a
89 LX 5.0.
You can feel a clunk while turning the wheel
left ot right. I had it to the dealer but all they
did was give me a brake job and tighten the
wheel bearings.
The problem remains.

I see a U joint in the
steering shaft in the engine compartment where the shaft
takes its first turn downward.
This joint seems to move slightly if I pull on it. Could
this be the source of the problem? I suppose Ford
didn't think so. Or do they look at things like that?

Any ideas?

"Fred" > wrote in
:

> I have a problem with the power steering on a
> 89 LX 5.0.
> You can feel a clunk while turning the wheel
> left ot right. I had it to the dealer but all they
> did was give me a brake job and tighten the
> wheel bearings.
> The problem remains.

Look for a "rag bushing" in the steering shaft. If the rag (flexible)
part of the joint goes bad, the steering will still work, but will have
enough slop in it to produce a clunk when the wheel is turned.

Failing that, could be a rack and pinion problem or a bad tie rod end.

--
"Go Spurs! Beat Detroit!"

I agree, The rag joint is a common problem on older cars. It can be tricky
to replace because of the tight spaces. You should consider upgrading to a
polyurethane joint if you replace it.

--
Mark
--
"I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates who once said, "I drank
what?". " Val Kilmer in Real Genius.





"elaich" > wrote in message ...
> "Fred" > wrote in
> :
>
>> I have a problem with the power steering on a
>> 89 LX 5.0.
>> You can feel a clunk while turning the wheel
>> left ot right. I had it to the dealer but all they
>> did was give me a brake job and tighten the
>> wheel bearings.
>> The problem remains.
>
> Look for a "rag bushing" in the steering shaft. If the rag (flexible)
> part of the joint goes bad, the steering will still work, but will have
> enough slop in it to produce a clunk when the wheel is turned.
>
> Failing that, could be a rack and pinion problem or a bad tie rod end.
>
> --
> "Go Spurs! Beat Detroit!"

Hi group

I don't see anything wrong with the rag bushing, which
looks like the lower joint below the first u-joint. I still don't understand
what is loose. It almost seems the looseness is
above this area and at the end of the column before it
goes through the firewall and down. Is there some sort of
bearing in there?

Fred

"Fred" > wrote in message
...
> Hi
>
> I have a problem with the power steering on a
> 89 LX 5.0.
> You can feel a clunk while turning the wheel
> left ot right. I had it to the dealer but all they
> did was give me a brake job and tighten the
> wheel bearings.
> The problem remains.
>
> I see a U joint in the
> steering shaft in the engine compartment where the shaft
> takes its first turn downward.
> This joint seems to move slightly if I pull on it. Could
> this be the source of the problem? I suppose Ford
> didn't think so. Or do they look at things like that?
>
> Any ideas?
>

Yes, there is a bearing in the steering column.

What's with the "tighten the wheel bearings?" That doesn't make any
sense and certainly wouldn't cause the problem you describe. I hope the
stealer didn't charge you for that.

Cheers,

C

Fred wrote:
> Hi group
>
> I don't see anything wrong with the rag bushing, which
> looks like the lower joint below the first u-joint. I still don't understand
> what is loose. It almost seems the looseness is
> above this area and at the end of the column before it
> goes through the firewall and down. Is there some sort of
> bearing in there?
>
> Fred
>
> "Fred" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>Hi
>>
>>I have a problem with the power steering on a
>>89 LX 5.0.
>>You can feel a clunk while turning the wheel
>>left ot right. I had it to the dealer but all they
>>did was give me a brake job and tighten the
>>wheel bearings.
>>The problem remains.
>>
>>I see a U joint in the
>>steering shaft in the engine compartment where the shaft
>>takes its first turn downward.
>>This joint seems to move slightly if I pull on it. Could
>>this be the source of the problem? I suppose Ford
>>didn't think so. Or do they look at things like that?
>>
>>Any ideas?
>>
>
>
>

I had the same problem at about 30,000 miles on my 5.0. Turned out it was a
bushing on the rack and pinion. Cheap, easy fix. Check it out.

Brad

"Fred" > wrote in message
...
> Hi group
>
> I don't see anything wrong with the rag bushing, which
> looks like the lower joint below the first u-joint. I still don't
> understand what is loose. It almost seems the looseness is
> above this area and at the end of the column before it
> goes through the firewall and down. Is there some sort of
> bearing in there?
>
> Fred
>
> "Fred" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Hi
>>
>> I have a problem with the power steering on a
>> 89 LX 5.0.
>> You can feel a clunk while turning the wheel
>> left ot right. I had it to the dealer but all they
>> did was give me a brake job and tighten the
>> wheel bearings.
>> The problem remains.
>>
>> I see a U joint in the
>> steering shaft in the engine compartment where the shaft
>> takes its first turn downward.
>> This joint seems to move slightly if I pull on it. Could
>> this be the source of the problem? I suppose Ford
>> didn't think so. Or do they look at things like that?
>>
>> Any ideas?
>>
>
>