Steering Question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Los Alamos NM
Steering Question
I've recently noticed that on my 96 CE LT1 when I move the steering wheel left or right and cross dead center there is a slight "bump" I feel. The warmer it is outside or the longer the car has been running the worse it seems to get. Also when going at highway speed it is not noticeable at all. Any suggestions what it might be?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Los Alamos NM
I needed new shocks and had the front put on this week. They verified that there's nothing wrong in the steering. They've narrowed the "bump" down to the steering column. Since they only get this far by 5:00pm Friday I took it back for the weekend. They'll tear down the steering column in a couple of weeks when I can afford more diagnostics.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 15,926
Likes: 579
I needed new shocks and had the front put on this week. They verified that there's nothing wrong in the steering. They've narrowed the "bump" down to the steering column. Since they only get this far by 5:00pm Friday I took it back for the weekend. They'll tear down the steering column in a couple of weeks when I can afford more diagnostics.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,381
Likes: 66
From: SF bay area C.A.
C4 of the Year Finalist
In a couple weeks? I hope you did not leave it there. Also this job could really cost you in labor, you might want to start and pull the wheel and take a look. When I first got mine when I would floor it the steer wheel seemed to pop back. Took off the wheel cover and found the nut holding the wheel on was loose, could turn it with my fingers.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Los Alamos NM
I brought it home. They fully understood that I wanted my car back for the weekend.
I've been working with these guys since I was in High School. This is a very small town and they have taken very good care of me over the years. Many times they don't even charge me for labor. If I were more mechanically inclined I would probably look at doing it myself, but I just am not good with my hands.
It really feels like a bearing that isn't lubricated well enough. I'll try to look at it myself this week, but this is my daily driver so I can't tear it down and have it down for more than a day or two.
I've been working with these guys since I was in High School. This is a very small town and they have taken very good care of me over the years. Many times they don't even charge me for labor. If I were more mechanically inclined I would probably look at doing it myself, but I just am not good with my hands.
It really feels like a bearing that isn't lubricated well enough. I'll try to look at it myself this week, but this is my daily driver so I can't tear it down and have it down for more than a day or two.
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,543
Likes: 1
From: Levittown NY
I brought it home. They fully understood that I wanted my car back for the weekend.
I've been working with these guys since I was in High School. This is a very small town and they have taken very good care of me over the years. Many times they don't even charge me for labor. If I were more mechanically inclined I would probably look at doing it myself, but I just am not good with my hands.
It really feels like a bearing that isn't lubricated well enough. I'll try to look at it myself this week, but this is my daily driver so I can't tear it down and have it down for more than a day or two.
I've been working with these guys since I was in High School. This is a very small town and they have taken very good care of me over the years. Many times they don't even charge me for labor. If I were more mechanically inclined I would probably look at doing it myself, but I just am not good with my hands.
It really feels like a bearing that isn't lubricated well enough. I'll try to look at it myself this week, but this is my daily driver so I can't tear it down and have it down for more than a day or two.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Los Alamos NM
You were right there was a service bulletin on exactly this issue. Since it is not a recall, would the local Chevy dealer repair it on their dime? or is it just a good starting point for the mechanic?
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,543
Likes: 1
From: Levittown NY
It's totally different than a recall. They are only to point the mechanic in the right direction. Even if the car was new they don't pay for stuff listed in service bulletins.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,147
Likes: 452
From: Port St. Lucie West Florida
It's the steering knuckle U joint under the hood. I have it on my 95. It is common. I tried all types of lubricant to lessen the click but it did not work. I left it alone. To see it have someone in your car move the wheel until it clicks turning the wheel back and forth while you look at the steering u joint. You will see it "jump" creating the clicking noise. You can search some old posts on this. I do not remember if the parts were available. Good luck
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,147
Likes: 452
From: Port St. Lucie West Florida
I know the only fix was to replace it. I also know someone on the forum had luck with trying to lubricate the joint. I tried but it did not work for me. I forgot the correct terminology but i think it was called the u joint knuckle steering assembly. I do not know if they still make the part so it may be hard to find a new one. You can ask your local dealer first.
Good luck
Good luck
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Los Alamos NM
I took a look at the action when the steering wheel is turned. I don't see any jumping so that might not be what it is on my car. Either that or it isn't jumping out at me. I noticed that I can feel the bump while leaning on the tire and turning the steering wheel. I also discovered that the bump isn't there when the engine isn't started so I'm wondering if it is something in the power steering.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,147
Likes: 452
From: Port St. Lucie West Florida
I took a look at the action when the steering wheel is turned. I don't see any jumping so that might not be what it is on my car. Either that or it isn't jumping out at me. I noticed that I can feel the bump while leaning on the tire and turning the steering wheel. I also discovered that the bump isn't there when the engine isn't started so I'm wondering if it is something in the power steering.