Steering popping

[Tasty Geezer]

Ok...I've been dealing with this popping noise while turning for way too long. My wife is always asking me what it is...I think I've become numb to it, like all the other weird noises...got to start somewhere!

First - I've gone under my truck and tightened every bolt I could find.

2nd - Had the wife turn the steering wheel back and forth while I examined everything on the underside. Here's what I found:

1. The popping noise seems to pop 2 - 4 times while the wheel is turning one way and repeats the 2 - 4 popping noises as the wheel is turned back. This is the same while driving and turning.

2. After listening and feeling for the pop I have concluded that it seems to be coming from something attached to the frame. You can feel the pops pretty good when you hold onto the front bumper or frame near the steering box.

My question is: Can the power steering box be making this noise if it needs to be rebuilt? or is there some other component that I might be missing?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[garberz]

Check the frame for cracks where the PS box is mounted. Thats a common place for cracks. Did you check all the tie rod ends for wear. If you hold onto the draglink while someone turns the wheel, you should feel where its popping, if the TRE's are worn.

 

[zeeman1]

Check the frame around the track bar mount as well.

 

[bronko69er]

I'm leaning towards the box needing a rebuild.
Try it with the front on jackstands.
Still do it?
Does it matter the speed at which you turn the steering wheel?
Make a note of the orientation of the steering wheel when each pop occurs.
Does it do it at the same place each time?
Another thing to check would be the joints in the steering shaft.

How much slop do you have in the box (play at the steering wheel)?

 

[evil69]

Check the frame around the track bar mount as well.

This! My cralwer had a groan to it on some obstacles. The frame now has a sweet fist sized hole where the trackbar used to attach. now with the world's ugliest weld on it (but it held for the weekend). But it does sound like the box is toast. While you are there, check the frame.

 

[Tasty Geezer]

The truck will do it no matter if I am sitting still and turning the steering wheel or driving and turning. Speed does not seem to matter. The pop also seems to occur at the same place of rotation every time.

The steering wheel does have some slop in it as well. Do steering boxes tend to make popping noises when they are going out?

I'll try the jack stands on the front and see if it goes away. I think I actually tried this a year ago when I first started looking for the cause and it didn't pop when the front was off the ground. I'll try again and see. Thanks

 

[eb66to77]

Do you have a track bar drop bracket?

 

[Tasty Geezer]

yes I do have a track bar drop bracket...I got under there after work and started tightening those bolts on it as much as i could...For the most part, the loud popping stopped and now I bearly hear a single pop now. I guess I need to get back under there and give it a little more muscle....

Thanks for the help guys...glad I don't have to rebuild that steering box!

 

[thegreatjustino]

If you want to try and eliminate the steering box as the problem, disconnect the drag link from the pitman arm and see if the pop still happens when you turn the wheel.

 

[evil69]

yes I do have a track bar drop bracket...I got under there after work and started tightening those bolts on it as much as i could...For the most part, the loud popping stopped and now I bearly hear a single pop now. I guess I need to get back under there and give it a little more muscle....

Thanks for the help guys...glad I don't have to rebuild that steering box!

If memory serves, those brackets are to be welded to the stock bracket, the bolts just allow test and tune. Then burn them in.

 

[Tasty Geezer]

That sounds like a good idea...eliminate it from ever coming loose again!

 

[eb66to77]

You have a '76 drop bracket which puts it way out there in comparison to an earlier one. We just did one on Annapolis76's truck and his was doing the same thing. I was out of argon so he had it welded at a local machinists place. It was doing the same thing.

 

[evil69]

That sounds like a good idea...eliminate it from ever coming loose again!

Unless my above story comes into play But what can you do?

 

[Tasty Geezer]

Don't think that will happen driving this EB in the ATL...That had to be a fun experience though;D

 

[evil69]

Don't think that will happen driving this EB in the ATL...That had to be a fun experience though;D

It wasn't that big of a deal. Crawling a rock and I started to wonder why it seemed my driver's side tire seemed further out. Then no steering. Limping it back to camp was um, fun. Great flex!

Hope the trackbar fixes your isue.

 

[Annapolis76EB]

As EB 66to77 mentioned, I had the exact same noise start when I put my drop bracket on last weekend. Got it welded up yesterday and the noise is gone. The bracket seemed really solid when bolted on, but it still flexed some. Put your hand on the drop bracket while the wife turns the wheel and I will bet you feel the vibration. I originally thought my popping was my steering box as well, but a good weld solved the problem.