Steering issue! |
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Turbo301
Senior Member Joined: 11-March-2007 Location: London, Ontario Status: Offline Points: 331 |
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Posted: 25-June-2010 at 5:32AM |
Hi Guys,
Just when I thought my car was finally cured :). I was at a car show this past weekend (only Cougar out of, like, 500 cars!) and the steering jammed-up, or got super-stiff at least, when trying to turn counter-clockwise. I gave 'er and there was a mechanical popping/clicking noise, and it freed up and turned fine. The highway drive home was fine. Then, just last night, while backing into my garage, it did it again!
In both cases, clockwise turning was fine, and both situations were at nearly-stopped speeds.
Any ideas what the problem might be? Are my recirculating balls not recirculating? A sticking lingage perhaps?
As usual, thanks for any pointers!
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1977 Cougar XR7
1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
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GranTorinoSport
Admin Group Admin of "The Org" Joined: 20-May-2003 Location: Seattle Status: Offline Points: 2287 |
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Unless there is binding in a steering component (tie rod, other links and arms), then I'd say for sure it is the steering gear.
Take a close visual inspection of the steering linkage underneath first, however. Look for anything with evidence of binding. If you are adventurous enough, disconnect the pitman arm from the steering link and with the front end in the air try and actuate the steering by hand and also the linkage by hand (now disconnected from the steering gear). You should be able to make a determination then. |
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Scott Eklund
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Psquare75
Admin Group Member of the Stroker Club Joined: 26-November-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4591 |
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Without seeing it, I'm going to guess steering box.
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Paul
77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD* 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500 |
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GranTorinoSport
Admin Group Admin of "The Org" Joined: 20-May-2003 Location: Seattle Status: Offline Points: 2287 |
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The more I think about it, ditto to Paul.
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Scott Eklund
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Regul8r
Admin Group Moderator Joined: 26-December-2007 Location: Sarasota FL Status: Offline Points: 6624 |
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yup thats what I would say!
Something in the steering gear box itself.
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Carl Corey (Moderator/Event Coordinator) Contact ANYTIME!
1976 Ford Elite "Lola Mae" 97 Suzuki Intruder 1400 US Army Retired |
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Turbo301
Senior Member Joined: 11-March-2007 Location: London, Ontario Status: Offline Points: 331 |
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Thanks for your help, guys, that at least gives me something to narrow down to! It drove fine yesterday, even at low speeds, but perhaps there is a particular worn ball and, when it hits a particular part of the ball return or something like that, it gets jammed up. Fudge ^_^.
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1977 Cougar XR7
1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
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Psquare75
Admin Group Member of the Stroker Club Joined: 26-November-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4591 |
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Think of it as a perfect time to upgrade to a 3:1 box
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Paul
77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD* 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500 |
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72BlackGTS
Senior Member Joined: 10-April-2007 Location: Millerton, NY Status: Offline Points: 871 |
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Check the pressure valve in the back of the pump. Hows the fluid look? Sounds to me like your pressure valve is sticking intermitently. Good luck. Ron |
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Ron
1978 LTD II Sport-Green 2003 HD Road King Classic 100th Anniversary |
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Turbo301
Senior Member Joined: 11-March-2007 Location: London, Ontario Status: Offline Points: 331 |
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Hmm, that's an interesting possibility; the steering did kind of feel like it was going to manual force (still turned, just really heavy). The pump is just a giant black box to me (literally - big and black), so other than the fluid I'm not sure what to look for. I'll consult my manual when I get home, though.
Thanks!
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1977 Cougar XR7
1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
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