Steering a little tight? Lube your u-joints!
Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 4:25 am
For some unknown reason, a few days ago my steering started feeling very hard. When making a turn, if I let my hands off the wheel to let it straighten up, it would seem to stick at some point. I was thinking it may be the backlash, since I accidentally un-set it and guesstimated it back into position.
Tonight I finally got a chance to jack it up and scout around for the problem. While having my brother turn the wheel back and forth, I heard a slight creaking noise coming from the u-joint connecting the steering column to the steering rack. I soaked it in WD-40 (I couldn't find my PB Blaster....
) while he continued to turn the wheel back and forth. After a few minutes, it started turning easily again. I could see where the lower u-joint had been dripping onto the steering rack bellows boot, and it was brown with rust.
I think my backlash still isn't quite right, but I can get that taken care of tomorrow.
I may get a new u-joint eventually, or steal the one from my parts car. Depends on what kinda condition it is in.......
Tonight I finally got a chance to jack it up and scout around for the problem. While having my brother turn the wheel back and forth, I heard a slight creaking noise coming from the u-joint connecting the steering column to the steering rack. I soaked it in WD-40 (I couldn't find my PB Blaster....
) while he continued to turn the wheel back and forth. After a few minutes, it started turning easily again. I could see where the lower u-joint had been dripping onto the steering rack bellows boot, and it was brown with rust.I think my backlash still isn't quite right, but I can get that taken care of tomorrow.
I may get a new u-joint eventually, or steal the one from my parts car. Depends on what kinda condition it is in.......