Steering Wheel Click

[volavet]

I have an annoying click when turning the wheel left or right. I have had this issue for several years and actually found an article describing the fix a few years ago, (a pin or spring that wears out) but I did not get around to fixing it. Now I want to, but I lost the article. Does anyone know what I am talking about, do they have a fix, etc.

Thanks,

1996 LT4

 

[tlong]

There is a service bulletin, not recall. The column has some bushing or washer that wears prematurely and clicks. Check down at the primary steering arm, the piece that connects the column to the rack and pinion. There are two u-joints on it. One of those may be causing the click. If not the column has to come out and be repaired.


Shops and dealers are familiar with the '96 column issue. Bring an aspirin when they tell you how much $.

 

[volavet]

Any ball park idea on cost? Im not sure that is it, although you description matches. I believe the article or TSB I lost described a spring or pin that wears out.

 

[WhalePirot]

I had this when the rack was getting old and stiff, but only when the car was initially driven when cold (morning sickness). There was play in the steering linkage, which I fixed by removing and drilling through the area of play; then installing a bolt to eliminate the looseness. I doubt my steering column is 'collapseable' any more.

BTW, it was more than a click. The wheel actually would jump about 20 degrees, one way of the other, when initially cold. Is your click like this, or does it do it all the time?

 

[tlong]

I took the steering linkage arm off the column to determine this. Column was fine. One bolt holds it on in a clamp at the top of the arm. The bottom u-joint is covered with a plastic dust shield and is very tricky to remove. The assembly costs about $250 with new u-joints and a pita to replace. That will isolate either steering arm or column problem. The column fix was about $350.

The rack and pinion could be the culprit. But disconnection of the steering arm(between rack and pinion and column) will isolate the problem.

Mine has seemed to hardly do it any longer after a can of WD40 all over the u- joints; duct tape mentality.