Creaky steering column
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Marlborough MA
Creaky steering column
My 77 steering column creaks loudly when I turn it left and right. This developed after a power steering valve change, and new rag joint. The Corvette specialty shop that did the work then pulled the shaft and changed the lower bearing, which looked bad. No more creaks. Then, a few drives later, they're back. Any ideas? Thanks. :confused:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Creaky steering column (RickP)
Sometimes a new problem can crop up that is unrelated to your description of the new steering parts being installed. However, let's assume that there really is a cause and effect between the two.
You really need to try and determine where the creaking noise is originating. Is it being generated out under the hood? Or is it inside the steering column? You might try the old "screwdriver trick". Take a long screwdriver and place it against various steering parts as a friend rotates the steering wheel and causes the creaking noise. Placing your ear on the handle of the screwdriver and placing the blade part on various steering parts (lower end of the steering column, steering gear housing, flexible coupling, etc) may get you closer to the source and the cause of the noise.
One thing that comes to mind. The steering column needs to be pointed directly at the steering gear. (This would seem obvious but it is actually somewhat complicated to make sure that it happens). Otherwise, the flexible coupling can be placed in a distorted condition. This can cause the stop pins on the flexible coupling to be pressed hard against the cut out window openings in the steering column flange. Could this be the cause of the creaking noise? Look for wear or polish on the sides of the stop pins. As part of the flexible coupling replacement procedure, the steering column could have been disturbed and reinstalled incorrectly.
Let us know what you find.
Making sure that the column and steering gear were aligned correctly was so important that Chevrolet had a special alignment procedure for the column that was outlined in the AIM manual. The following papers may be helpful if you think that your steering column may not be aligned correctly in your car.
Go to http://www.corvettefaq.com and look under Steering. Download the following:
Flex Coupling and Column Assembly Instruction (AIM sheet instructions)
Flex Coupling Installation Instructions
Flex Coupling Pics
You really need to try and determine where the creaking noise is originating. Is it being generated out under the hood? Or is it inside the steering column? You might try the old "screwdriver trick". Take a long screwdriver and place it against various steering parts as a friend rotates the steering wheel and causes the creaking noise. Placing your ear on the handle of the screwdriver and placing the blade part on various steering parts (lower end of the steering column, steering gear housing, flexible coupling, etc) may get you closer to the source and the cause of the noise.
One thing that comes to mind. The steering column needs to be pointed directly at the steering gear. (This would seem obvious but it is actually somewhat complicated to make sure that it happens). Otherwise, the flexible coupling can be placed in a distorted condition. This can cause the stop pins on the flexible coupling to be pressed hard against the cut out window openings in the steering column flange. Could this be the cause of the creaking noise? Look for wear or polish on the sides of the stop pins. As part of the flexible coupling replacement procedure, the steering column could have been disturbed and reinstalled incorrectly.
Let us know what you find.
Making sure that the column and steering gear were aligned correctly was so important that Chevrolet had a special alignment procedure for the column that was outlined in the AIM manual. The following papers may be helpful if you think that your steering column may not be aligned correctly in your car.
Go to http://www.corvettefaq.com and look under Steering. Download the following:
Flex Coupling and Column Assembly Instruction (AIM sheet instructions)
Flex Coupling Installation Instructions
Flex Coupling Pics
