steering vibration on turns

[deaellis]

I have a 2001 LT 2x2 that has a vibration in the steering wheel on turns at low speeds. It is almost a thumping type noise. The truck has 50,000 miles.

[Dr. Eagle]

How are your tires?

The reason I ask is that I have had a belt separation cause a vibration like you are describing.

[Tat2dBrownDude]

Could be belt seperation. If the tires are good, try jacking up the front of the vehicle. Get someone to rock the tire back and forth (not real hard) to check for play. While they do the shaking, look at all the suspension components and steering components. Look for any excessive play. Make sure all bushings are good. Do it to both sides, you shouldnt have alot of play, if you do then you found the culprit.

[Dr. Eagle]

Originally Posted by Tat2dBrownDude

Could be belt seperation. If the tires are good, try jacking up the front of the vehicle. Get someone to rock the tire back and forth (not real hard) to check for play. While they do the shaking, look at all the suspension components and steering components. Look for any excessive play. Make sure all bushings are good. Do it to both sides, you shouldnt have alot of play, if you do then you found the culprit.

Good points, it would seem a little early (just because of the model year) to have bushings going south, but there was no mention of mileage, so they may be shredded by now.

I hadn't thought about another possibility. Have you checked the torque on the lugs. My son had a problem with his Bronco with a similar clunking sound and it was the wheel coming loose from the axle. Sounds silly, but it can happen. If a wheel is loose, the same method of rocking the tire back and forth will tell you.

Another possibility I hadn't considered before is the CV joint on the front axle. Look to see if your CV boots are OK. If they are torn, you may have found your problem...