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1998 dodge avenger clunking during low speed turns
During low speed turns, or if i go over a small bump and the steering wheel moves a bit there's a huge clunking sound coming from the front end, and also sounds like it's coming from in the steering column? this happens on any turn, sharp or not, fast or slow, left or right.
Re: 1998 dodge avenger clunking during low speed turns
Check for loose steering box / rack. Check all steering ball joints and suspension joints. have a steering specialist shop check it out as steering problems border on safety
Make sure that the coupling shaft from the column to the rack is tight at both ends. There is a pinch bolt on the ends. If they are tight try holding the shaft while turning. You will probably feel the clunking noise. If so replace the shaft.
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this might help: Here is the Technical Service Bulletin that maybe of help, worth looking into but can't guarantee that it would fix your problem Steering - Steering Column Clunking When Turning TECHNICAL Bulletin No.: 01-02-32-001P Date: November 25, 2009 Subject: Clunk Felt/Noise Heard From Steering Column, Steering Gear and/or Front Of Vehicle During Turning Maneuver and/or Steering Wheel Rotation (Replace Intermediate Shaft As Directed) Models: 2001-2004 Buick Regal 2005-2008 Buick Allure (Canada Only), LaCrosse 2000-2008 Chevrolet Impala 2000-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue 2004-2007 Pontiac Grand Prix Supercede: This bulletin is being revised to add the 2008 Buick LaCrosse/Allure. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 01-02-32-001O (Section 02 - Steering). Condition Some customers may comment on a clunk type noise coming from the front of the vehicle while driving during a turning maneuver. 1. Locate a large area (parking lot) where the vehicle can be turned in a tight circle. 2. Turn the steering wheel to the right and/or left all the way to the steering lock, then off the steering lock a 1/4 turn. 3. Drive the vehicle approximately 5 km/h (3 mph) in a circle, preferably over rough pavement or seams on the road surface. 4. Drive the vehicle straight ahead at idle speed while applying and releasing the brake pedal. Listen/feel the steering wheel for the clunk/noise condition. 5. If a clunk is felt in the steering wheel, the MOST likely cause is the I-shaft - not the steering gear. Continue with the correction. Correction DO THIS - Replace the intermediate shaft DON'T DO THIS - DO NOT lube the intermediate shaft Replace the existing intermediate shaft
The noise will be either the universal joint on the steering column or a component in the steering rack or outer tie rod ends, get someone to sit in the car and move the wheel slightly left and right and have a look and you will be able to see and hear where the noise is coming from
Sounds like you have the beginning of what is fondly called "death wobble" This condition can be caused by overall play in the steering components (small amounts of play added together = more play than you would want in steering, and loss of wheel control on bumps at speed (usually over 55mph) The major items to look at first art track bar bushings and mounts, ball joints and believe it or not, proper wheel lug torque. Other items are steering box to chassis mounting and wheel alignment. Caster can be adjusted in a more positive direction (beyond factory) which causes the wheels to "want" to remain straight ahead at speed. This can either be done by moving lower control arms or in difficult situations, ball joints are available with built in offset. Check ALL bushings and pivot ends for any sign of wear, eliminate the items with the largest amount of play first. DO NOT let anyone talk you into replacing the steering stabilizer (sideways shock on the linkage) as a cure...This will cover up the problem for a short time but will not cure it. After the problem has been solved, you should replace that part, because likely it has been beaten to death while the condition was present.
Check the macpherson struts to ensure they are not loose. One way to check is visually in the engine compartment. Check the top of the struts to ensure the nuts are not loose. Another is to raise the side of the van where you hear the clunk. Raise it so the wheel is off the ground. Grasp and shake the strut to see if it is loose. The struts should not be loose, but you never know. As the strut is certainly ivnolved in bumps and rotates when the wheel turns, I would check there since you have already explored the bushings and links.
Make sure that the coupling shaft from the column to the rack is tight at both ends. There is a pinch bolt on the ends. If they are tight try holding the shaft while turning. You will probably feel the clunking noise. If so replace the shaft.
It would, in the differential on each side, where the axles come in. Does the roaring noise get louder with road speed, and does it seem to come from one side more than the other? If so, it's probably a wheel bearing. Carrier bearings are possible also, but road-speed-dependent noises like that more often turn out to be wheel bearings than carrier bearings.
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