sticky steering
daarrve
09-22-2010, 02:31 PM
My wifes van is a 1999 Windstar. The problem is this, when driving the steering seems to grab and clunk almost rub at times but this only happens when things are "cold". When it warms up I can still feel it grabbing but there is no clunk, it also pulls to the right. I think it might be the ball joint but I am not that great at diagnosing things. Your input will be of value.
mark_gober
09-22-2010, 11:51 PM
I just had a round of steering troubleshooting. Let me tell you how to diagnose a few things.
Jack the front of the vehicle completely off the ground. Both front tires need to be off the ground. Wiggling tires side to side should have NO slack. if there is slack, reach behind the wheel and see if the slack is in the inner or outer tie rod end. It should be easy to detect if you put your hands on it. Mine was the inner tie rods. They were worn out. Luckily, my boots were busted so I could see the slack. It will be easier if you have someone else wiggle while you are underneath.
Next task is to check your toe-in. Mine was off and it pulled to the right and wore down the passenger tire quickly. Take a tape measure and find a groove in the driver side tire. Measure to the passenger tire (just pick a spot that you can reproduce). Check the front of the tire and the rear of the tire. (make sure you are below the level of the frame so that you get a nice even tape measure). The front of the tire should be the same width as the back of the tire. If it's not, you can adjust it using the inner to outer tie rod end joint. Mine was about an inch off. I adjusted it to within an 1/8" and then took it to get an alignment.
Having told you all of this, my alignment was only $65 at Pep Boys. And they were done in less than an hour. I spent many hours measuring, adjusting, remeasuring, readjusting. I should have just paid the $65 and had them fix it. Your $65 pays for most adjustments. Only major adjustments require additional cash. I'd look into it, if I were you.
Mark
Jack the front of the vehicle completely off the ground. Both front tires need to be off the ground. Wiggling tires side to side should have NO slack. if there is slack, reach behind the wheel and see if the slack is in the inner or outer tie rod end. It should be easy to detect if you put your hands on it. Mine was the inner tie rods. They were worn out. Luckily, my boots were busted so I could see the slack. It will be easier if you have someone else wiggle while you are underneath.
Next task is to check your toe-in. Mine was off and it pulled to the right and wore down the passenger tire quickly. Take a tape measure and find a groove in the driver side tire. Measure to the passenger tire (just pick a spot that you can reproduce). Check the front of the tire and the rear of the tire. (make sure you are below the level of the frame so that you get a nice even tape measure). The front of the tire should be the same width as the back of the tire. If it's not, you can adjust it using the inner to outer tie rod end joint. Mine was about an inch off. I adjusted it to within an 1/8" and then took it to get an alignment.
Having told you all of this, my alignment was only $65 at Pep Boys. And they were done in less than an hour. I spent many hours measuring, adjusting, remeasuring, readjusting. I should have just paid the $65 and had them fix it. Your $65 pays for most adjustments. Only major adjustments require additional cash. I'd look into it, if I were you.
Mark
wiswind
09-25-2010, 02:34 PM
There are a number of things that can cause this.
As you mention, lower ball joints.
As Mark mentions, tie rod ends.
Mark may be more experienced than I am.
I would take it to a trusted shop to get it checked out.
You mention (not all the time) and that it's your wife's car.
A PROPER alignment includes a good shake down of the front end to check for the above mentioned items......they are NORMAL wear items.
I am not experienced enought to detect wear in these items at the point that I would like to have them replaced.
I like to address things like this before they become obvious.
Someone who is experienced with this, like a mechanic who does this type of work day in and day out, will be able to tell in an instant if one of these items has extra play in it.
As you mention, lower ball joints.
As Mark mentions, tie rod ends.
Mark may be more experienced than I am.
I would take it to a trusted shop to get it checked out.
You mention (not all the time) and that it's your wife's car.
A PROPER alignment includes a good shake down of the front end to check for the above mentioned items......they are NORMAL wear items.
I am not experienced enought to detect wear in these items at the point that I would like to have them replaced.
I like to address things like this before they become obvious.
Someone who is experienced with this, like a mechanic who does this type of work day in and day out, will be able to tell in an instant if one of these items has extra play in it.
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