"Thunk" when turning steering wheel

[McShaken]

Had the van in earlier this year to rebuild the transmission. At the time, it had a slight "thunk" when turning the steering wheel. Tranny shop said it was the diver's side tie rod end and replaced it. Now, only a few months later, the thunk/pop has returned (it's pretty loud)....

Strange thing is, there aren't any potholes where I live, and 90% of my driving is under 30MPH... if this is indeed the tie rod again, why would it fail so quickly?

I'm wondering if I should just replace it myself, and get an alignment, or just take it into the shop...

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated!

[rockwood84]

jack each side up and see whats loose. see if you can shake the tire with hands at 9 and 3 o'clock on the tire.then try 12 and 6 o'clock. then rotate tire forward and backward.it should tell you if something is worn out.if the driverside tie-rod wore out then the passengerside would be next .

[dewaynep]

Could be the strut mount bearing. Does it make the noise only when turning? Does it sound like something was under pressure, then released? Try turning the wheel while sitting still in a parking lot. If it thunks then you probably have a dry strut bearing.

[McShaken]

The thunk/pop happens when turning the wheel (at a dead stop and while moving), and also pops when accelerating from a stop and when breaking. Haven't had a chance to jack up the vehicle to test tire movement from 9-3 and 12-6 yet.

[1999montana]

Originally Posted by McShaken

The thunk/pop happens when turning the wheel (at a dead stop and while moving), and also pops when accelerating from a stop and when breaking. Haven't had a chance to jack up the vehicle to test tire movement from 9-3 and 12-6 yet.

Hello there,

As mentioned in the previous post it is very likely that the strut mount is causing the difficulty.

I just replaced both Monroe strut mounts because they were beginning to seize after 3 years, despite the fact that both the mounts and the struts were replaced at the same time. There are only 25,000 miles on the struts since they were installed. Replacing the mounts did not remove the thunk either. It's still there.

I had my daughter turn the wheel one night while I watched what was happening topside with a flashlight. Sure enough the upper shaft on the shock and inner bushing on the mount shifts inside the strut mount each time the wheel is turned.

Slight relief I guess, since the weight of the van is on the struts, at least nothing can fall off!

The OEM mounts only started doing this around the time I had 75,000 miles on the shocks. Two sets of Monroe mounts have not cured the problem either.

Don't know what to say, but to satisfy your curiosity have someone turn the wheel while you watch the top of the shock / shock mount inside the engine compartment. You can feel it too by reaching underneath the fender and grabbing the spring and shock assembly when the wheels are turned.

[McShaken]

I guess I'm confused. You say it's the strut mounts, but replacing them on your van didn't cure the problem... My 2000 Montana is at 72,000 miles, so the timing is the same on mileage. Is the strut mount something that can easily be changed, or should this go into the shop? Any idea of what this will cost to repair?

[jmikef21]

I think I am having the same issue but I just replaced struts and mounts. Does not seem to be moving. One thing I just found out tonight though is If I jack up the wheel off the ground and put transmission in neutral the drivers side spends fine. Passenger side not so much. Has a jerking seems to catch. I have replaced the Axle so I assume it is in the final drive of the transmission. Anyone else ever experience this or have any ideas?

Thanks