klunk turning steering wheel

[bodaciousdeb]

Recently my 98 Ford Northwoods Windstar has started this klunking sound when turning the steering wheel. It does it when you turn to the left. It is almost like something is under stress and then pops. I am disabled and worry about what this could be, if it is dangerous and how expensive.
Does anyone have any ideas and do you know if this is something that is covered under that ten year warranty extension thing on the drive shaft stuff?

[LeSabre97mint]

Originally Posted by bodaciousdeb

Recently my 98 Ford Northwoods Windstar has started this klunking sound when turning the steering wheel. It does it when you turn to the left. It is almost like something is under stress and then pops. I am disabled and worry about what this could be, if it is dangerous and how expensive.
Does anyone have any ideas and do you know if this is something that is covered under that ten year warranty extension thing on the drive shaft stuff?

It could be a number of things. It could be the subframe mounts, strut mounts, lower control arm strut, possible the anti-sway bar link, If you have a 10 year suppension warenty I would bring it in. If you want a second opion (or a first opion) before you take it to the shop where you have the warenty through, I'd take it to a shop that does front ends and alignments. Stay away from the "tire shops", walmart, and such.

Do you feel any slop in the steering? Can you turn the steering wheel before the front wheels turn?

Sorry until one knows what it is it's hard to tell what the cost will be.

Regards

Dan

[bodaciousdeb]

Yes you can turn the steering wheel before it does it..infact sometimes you can turn it all the way one way and then all the way the other and it won't do it and then again..it does it both ways. They had to work on the van in april because the check engine light came on and it was some part went back, but we asked them about the struts because I felt like it was not riding right..sitting low or something. They said nothing was wrong with the struts...They sent me the ten year suspension warranty thing after I bought it...I think because something had happened on others..
the steering is not sloppy and it does it when you turn tight...it is not the first turns of the wheel that does it..it is like after you have turned and turned.
I know I am not making much sense..but that is the only way I know to describe it.
thanks for answering...I had wondered if it was the steering column somehow...but didn't know. And being in disability..money is hard to come by. I also only have 57,000 miles on the van.

Originally Posted by LeSabre97mint

It could be a number of things. It could be the subframe mounts, strut mounts, lower control arm strut, possible the anti-sway bar link, If you have a 10 year suppension warenty I would bring it in. If you want a second opion (or a first opion) before you take it to the shop where you have the warenty through, I'd take it to a shop that does front ends and alignments. Stay away from the "tire shops", walmart, and such.

Do you feel any slop in the steering? Can you turn the steering wheel before the front wheels turn?

Sorry until one knows what it is it's hard to tell what the cost will be.

Regards

Dan

[weaselgeezer]

Originally Posted by bodaciousdeb

Yes you can turn the steering wheel before it does it..infact sometimes you can turn it all the way one way and then all the way the other and it won't do it and then again..it does it both ways. They had to work on the van in april because the check engine light came on and it was some part went back, but we asked them about the struts because I felt like it was not riding right..sitting low or something. They said nothing was wrong with the struts...They sent me the ten year suspension warranty thing after I bought it...I think because something had happened on others..
the steering is not sloppy and it does it when you turn tight...it is not the first turns of the wheel that does it..it is like after you have turned and turned.
I know I am not making much sense..but that is the only way I know to describe it.
thanks for answering...I had wondered if it was the steering column somehow...but didn't know. And being in disability..money is hard to come by. I also only have 57,000 miles on the van.

Mine has been doing the same thing for about 2 years. I think there's a bearing on top of the strut that allows the spring to turn with the strut and that bearing may be dirty or rusted a little so it hangs up & then lets go when turning. It's worse on uneven pavement as when backing out of my driveway. I don't think it's anything to worry about, but my wife hates it so I don't fix it. It's way up inside the fender at the top of the strut, looks like a lot of work to fix a little noise. Has anyone else had this?

Regards,Weaselgeezer