Hello everyone! Well a couple of months ago I noticed that every once in awhile when I turned the wheel to the left there was a slight and almost unnoticble popping noise. When we got under to see if something was loose there was one screw/nut on one bracket (unfortuantely I don't know which one exactly) on the drivers side so we tightened it up and the noise stopped for awhile. Then about two months later it cropped up again so I took it into the shop to see if maybe something was wrong with the suspension (u-joints, ball joints, bushings, etc.) and they tightened everything and basically told me that it still made the noise and that they couldn't figure it out and that they couldn't find anything that was loose or worn. Well it has gotten progressively worse and I am afraid that one day I am going to try and turn and I will have no control. Anyone have any ideas as to what it might be? It started out on the left side turns but now it is on the right side as well. The problem has also gotten progressively worse with the change in weather from cold to hot. Is there something that I should lube? A bushing of some sort? Something in the steering box? Please any help would be greatly appreciated. I have powersteering and the pump is relatively new (less than 2 yrs old.). Thanks in advance. Jeri
I'd check the steering linkage also, tie rods, etc. Those components torque some on turns and can have problems that are subtle after a long time of use.
Could be a dry socket in a tie rod end. Most of them have no provision for grease so they eventually dry out causing some bind. You probably will never find it on a lift cause there is no pressure on them with the wheels hanging in the air.
This exact same thing just happened on my brother's car. Turned out to be the rag joint going from the column to the steering box.