95 C4 Steering not working
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
95 C4 Steering not working
Hi All,
I have a 95 C4 around 130,000 miles. I was driving the other day and the steering stopped working correctly and the wheels would point in a different diretion than the steering wheel. Luckily I was going slow and close to home but not good at all. The car has been making a slight popping noise up in the steering column for a long time and I heard there was a special GM kit to help fix with steering problems on this year.
Right now there is "clunking" in the steering column and moving the
steering wheel doesn't always move the front wheels.
Any idea what might be broken and the best way to fix it?
Thank you very much for your feedback,
Tim
I have a 95 C4 around 130,000 miles. I was driving the other day and the steering stopped working correctly and the wheels would point in a different diretion than the steering wheel. Luckily I was going slow and close to home but not good at all. The car has been making a slight popping noise up in the steering column for a long time and I heard there was a special GM kit to help fix with steering problems on this year.
Right now there is "clunking" in the steering column and moving the
steering wheel doesn't always move the front wheels.
Any idea what might be broken and the best way to fix it?
Thank you very much for your feedback,
Tim
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
The U joint looks OK, not sure about the other I'm not sure how it is all configured. One thing is that the problem is Intermittent. It will steer some then get a little tight and then slip. There is a lot of noise in the steering column when turning from left to right.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
I have a spare intermediate shaft in very good condition if you need it. In the meantime I am attaching a picture of it where you can see the attachment points and the rag joint. With the issues you are describing I am thinking either the rag joint or one of the pinch bolts is the problem.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Ok, that makes a little more sense now, thank you for the pic. So to replace this to I have to disassemble the whole steering column starting at the steering wheel or is there another way to get to the rag joint?
Is there a link out there that shows the steering column being disassembled?
Thank you,
Is there a link out there that shows the steering column being disassembled?
Thank you,
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
The rag joint is down by the steering rack. I sold my FSM along with my C4 a month or so ago, otherwise I could give you the installation instructions. I am sure someone will post some help for you.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
C4 Steering Problem-Update
Well I got some good news and bad news and they are both the same. Before you make too much fun of me, keep in mind we all can make little mistakes 
I was looking around the intermediate shaft and notice that there was a pry bar down there. At least we know I have been working on the car. Noise has gone away and steering is better.
When it first happened I parked the car in the garage the wheels where strait and the steering wheel was 45 degrees off center.
I'm still a little concerned what might have caused this, any ideas?
I was looking around the intermediate shaft and notice that there was a pry bar down there. At least we know I have been working on the car. Noise has gone away and steering is better.When it first happened I parked the car in the garage the wheels where strait and the steering wheel was 45 degrees off center.
I'm still a little concerned what might have caused this, any ideas?
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Verdad Gallardo
Suckin' gas, haulin' ass.
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 8
From: Newport News Virginia
I'm starting to wonder if the gears in the rack have stripped. Anyone else think that is a viable alternate for the problem? It would explain the slipping and gripping as the teeth in the rack slip on the pinion gear.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
When I drove it this afternoon it was driving just fine, just went around the block but seemed OK. Right now the steering wheel is strait and true. Of course that doesn't mean there isn't a problem. I'm going to try to jack it up tonight and check the rag joint. Then take it out for a drive in a parking lot and see how it does.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,649
Likes: 863
I'd check where the steering shaft connects to the steering rack. If that connection is not tight - it could certainly cause exactly the problems you're describing. Besides - it doesn't cost anything to check.
