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Steering column rattle

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xsteamer

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I'm thinking of tackling my steering column rattle this winter. I redid front suspension this past spring. Any suggestions or tech tips, short cuts would be appreciated.
 
Good advice. Glad I have the more "deadly" earlier car, frankly. A piece of oil'd up felt and a nylon bushing. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif
 
Moss has a new upper bearing kit that is supposed to be really good.

I also head that Gerry closed shop. He took his last orders a while back for the plastic ones he made.
 
Gerry's back in operation in a new location.
 
Thank's for the info Tony. I have a 73 B so I don't think it is a collapsable column. Am I right to assume that?
 
I believe after '68~'69 they were all the "collapsable" type.
 
Yours is a collapsible column
 
[ QUOTE ]
I'm thinking of tackling my steering column rattle this winter. I redid front suspension this past spring. Any suggestions or tech tips, short cuts would be appreciated.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not trying to steal the thread but describe the rattle. I have a rattle in mine when I go over bumps. It's more left to right steering movement coupled with a rattle somewhere down by the rack. The front end is very tight and someone suggested my steering column bushings might be worn. How do I diagnose this one? It make be the part of the cause of my 70 mph shake from my other post.
 
Vping, loose stearing wheel shaft would not be part of prob with shake at speed. That shaft only points you in different directions hopefully. Does the steering wheel move up and down, side to side when you try just setting in the car?
 
Just ran out & checked. No play left to right or top to bottom. The only thing I did to the rack with new boots & filled with fluid. Are there rebuilt kits to be had from Moss and do I need special tools?
 
With the front end up and someone holding the steering wheel can you with either front wheel get any slop turning the wheel/tire or trying to turn the wheel/tire from side to side like your were changeing direction.

Or with the car parked does the steering wheel have any slop before it trys to turn the wheels?

If not rack is good and so are the ball joints.
 
Need to check Front end up later.

Zero play sitting in car when trying to move steering wheel. Nice & tight & yes ball joints are solid. I'm positive it is rack related unless I do not know what worn king pins feel like.
 
I would be really susprised if it was the rack. They are almost bulit proof. Your quick test

Zero play sitting in car when trying to move steering wheel

Kind of rules out the rack.

With front end off the ground checke for wheel movement when you try to twist tire in and out with hands on top and bottom as well as front to rear.
 
Sounds very similar to mine. May have been accentuated since I rebuilt front suspension.
 
From Gerry Masterman:

Hi Tony! Thanks for the heads up. I have been unable to sign onto the BCF using the only password/screenname I have in my records. If you would just ask the guy to email me direct until I can get back on the BCF. The second guy may have steering column problems, too. If he can shake is column up and down or side to side by grabbing the steering wheel he likely has bad bearings, too. The sound coming from down low may be his bottom bearing as well.

You can contact Gerry at gmasterman@aol.com
 
Thanks Tony. I just emailed Gerry and am awaiting a response.
 
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