Hey guys ... I have a steering issue on my '95 LWB Classic. I've always had a slight metallic vibration when hitting bumps, but recently when turning - especially to lock, I'm hearing a gnashing metallic sound. VERY disturbing. She's parked now. When the wifey isn't looking, I'll put her up on ramps and see if I can see anthing. What am I looking for? What's the likely issue?

Many thanks in advance.

 

You may have a cv joint inside your swivel failing.

 

Aha. Nothing I can observe from outside. I am meticulous about upkeep ... is this a shortcoming or something I could have prevented?

 

If it is the CV joint in the swivel. mileage, hard usage with out fluid changes or not keeping the preload set properly are the main cause for failing.
I may be something else, but that is the first place to look.

 

Neither is the case. It only has 80k miles with very little off-road activity [hope to correct that]. What do you think the chances are that it's the steering box? It's been having a slight intermittant roughness to the steering ... feeling like the power is being interrupted. I have a persistant idle problem that drops the idle below 500 rpm - I attributed the power steering hesitation to that issue.

 

Resolved. It is the CV joint. What's the book [time] on having one replaced? Also, should I have both sides done at the same time assuming the other side is next?

 

I just switched mine -- $99 each side for the parts. here is the trick: remove caliper and tie off. unbolt the 6 bolts connecting the outer assembly to the axle housing. with the axle and truck properly raised and supported on jack stands, put the tire back on with 2 lug nuts, and KICK one side of the tire like BRUCE LEE. the torque of the tire movement will break the seal loose and presto, you can pull the CV, carrier and other parts apart in record time.

I packed the new ones in the lube and added some mobil1 wheel bearing grease. it's better than ever. 122K on one side before failure (blew up, no cage left) -- due to running low on grease and running through deep water a lot. the other side was all together still but got changed because it was a few K from failing too.