Steering Getting Worse

[03blackmerc]

my steering problem is getting worse. i think its the rod that connects to the steering rack. i believe it has 2 tiny U joints on it, i was wondering if anyone knew where i could buy one of these? i have no idea what the correct name for it is. has anyone else experienced this problem?

[LeoVampire]

my steering problem is getting worse. i think its the rod that connects to the steering rack. i believe it has 2 tiny U joints on it, i was wondering if anyone knew where i could buy one of these? i have no idea what the correct name for it is. has anyone else experienced this problem?

Can you move the joints by hand?

Any play in them you can see and feel to indicate there is a problem with them?

Put your hand on them and have someone rock the stearing wheel back and forth to see if you can both see and feel play in the joints.

Jack up the front tires off of the ground and see if you can feel and see play in the tie rod end's or hear a clunking in the rack and pinion.

[musclemerc]

If your referring to the steering shaft chances are it's fine. Those joints do not flex with the steering wheel. The joints are there to make the bend necessary to intsall it to the rack and pinion. Have someone turn the wheel and you look at them you will see.

[fastblackmerc]

my steering problem is getting worse. i think its the rod that connects to the steering rack. i believe it has 2 tiny U joints on it, i was wondering if anyone knew where i could buy one of these? i have no idea what the correct name for it is. has anyone else experienced this problem?

What problem do you have with your steering?

[FordNut]

Once upon a time, I had a steering problem, kinda like a clunk/shake. I tightened the bolts really really tight where the shaft clamps to the column and steering rack, fixed it.

[03blackmerc]

well if the shaft is suppose to stay straight then there is a def. problem with it. where the bottom U-joint is is like stuck in a kinda bent position. im going to try and post some pictures today. i jacked the front end up off the ground and the bind was still there, i noticed it only bound when that shaft was in the same position. i hoping its not something major how much is a new rack like $500?

[fastblackmerc]

well if the shaft is suppose to stay straight then there is a def. problem with it. where the bottom U-joint is is like stuck in a kinda bent position. im going to try and post some pictures today. i jacked the front end up off the ground and the bind was still there, i noticed it only bound when that shaft was in the same position. i hoping its not something major how much is a new rack like $500?

The steering shaft is naturally bent.

It lookis like it would should not work, but it does.

If it looks like this, might not be really visible, then it's normal.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/Valve%20Covers/Leftside.jpg

[03blackmerc]

ya looks kinda like that except mines covered with grease and grime. nice looking engine bay thow!!

[LeoVampire]

well if the shaft is suppose to stay straight then there is a def. problem with it. where the bottom U-joint is is like stuck in a kinda bent position. im going to try and post some pictures today. i jacked the front end up off the ground and the bind was still there, i noticed it only bound when that shaft was in the same position. i hoping its not something major how much is a new rack like $500?

Check it with the engine off with the front wheels off the ground and see if it is binding by manualy grabbing the wheels and moving them back and forth by hand.

If there is no binding that way then turn the engine on and do it again to see if there is a change.

With the engine off you might be able to hear a sound and track down where it is comming from doing it by hand and slowly.

[03blackmerc]

thats a good idea, im gonna try that this weekend i wish i thought of that last weekend when i had it up!

[03blackmerc]

Check it with the engine off with the front wheels off the ground and see if it is binding by manualy grabbing the wheels and moving them back and forth by hand.

If there is no binding that way then turn the engine on and do it again to see if there is a change.

With the engine off you might be able to hear a sound and track down where it is comming from doing it by hand and slowly.

so if there still is a bind with the car off would that rule out any rack or pump issue?

[LeoVampire]

so if there still is a bind with the car off would that rule out any rack or pump issue?

But if you have a binding problem with the wheels off the ground and pressure taken off of the stearing system with the engine off it should be easier to track it down to something specific instead of speculation on what it is.

Have you checked for rub marks on any of the stearing parts? Disconect the stearing rod in the engine compartment and see if it is still binding. Of course mark the position of everything first with a tire crayon before removal of the stearing link. Make sure the tire's and stearing wheel is straight. Mark the position on everything then remove the stearing link.

Then see if you still have a binding problem. If you do chances are it is the rack seeing the link and stearing colom has now been eliminated as a culprit.

[BirchMarauder]

I had a steering problem. the variable assist power steering wouldn't function right and cause me to have tight steering at low speeds. took it to dealer, got new pump, switch and rack and i'm all better. thankfully i have extended warranty.

[LordVader]

I had a steering problem. the variable assist power steering wouldn't function right and cause me to have tight steering at low speeds. took it to dealer, got new pump, switch and rack and i'm all better. thankfully i have extended warranty.

Same with mine at about 75K. Needed a new pump.

[fesifisky]

I know this is an older thread, but if it's not the rack or pump, it sounds like it may be the lower steering shaft as the dealership calls it and charges at least 70 for a new one since the ujoints are nonserviceable.

That that problem with my first MM and seem to be having that a bit with bagheera.

Have you happened to notice if steering gets more difficult after it's been sitting after going through puddles or after a good rain?

[2vmodular]

the lower steering column shafts sometimes fail in these cars with strikingly little mileage. 50k miles is not unusual. unfortunetly, a lot of aftermarket shops won't touch this part.

the part # you guys want for your 2003-2004 marauders is 5W1Z-3B676-AA


I know this is an older thread, but if it's not the rack or pump, it sounds like it may be the lower steering shaft as the dealership calls it and charges at least 70 for a new one since the ujoints are nonserviceable.

That that problem with my first MM and seem to be having that a bit with bagheera.

Have you happened to notice if steering gets more difficult after it's been sitting after going through puddles or after a good rain?

[03blackvegas]

I had a bad Module, the one for the steering and air suspension.

[03blackmerc]

the weather dosnt seem to affect it. i do notice when i let it sit for about a week or so the steering gets a stiffer bind but then goes away after a long trip or driving it daily.

[fastblackmerc]

the lower steering column shafts sometimes fail in these cars with strikingly little mileage. 50k miles is not unusual. unfortunetly, a lot of aftermarket shops won't touch this part.

the part # you guys want for your 2003-2004 marauders is 5W1Z-3B676-AA



:confused::confused: First I heard of this.

[fesifisky]

My mechanic who works on panthers and other FoMoCo vehicles daily had never heard of this going on a MM until my first one. When I went to order the part for bagheera, he said he's since come across several MM, GM and CV in our year range with that happening. Appears to be a commonly uncommon problem.


:confused::confused: First I heard of this.

[Breadfan]

I drove my dad's MM a few weeks back, he doesn't drive it much, and had this problem. I'm going to take a look at the steering shaft. I feel it bind, basically after a low speed turn, like turning into a parking lot, the wheels will not return to center as you continue rolling forward. You have to turn the wheel back to center and you can feel a spot in the turn that is tough like a binding.

I suspect it's the lower steering shaft joints, but will need time to take a second look.