Clockwork Spring

[nickname23]

Anyone have wisdom on this mechanism?
Pushing the truck around with no power turning it while working on other things seemed to temporarily fix the issue.
Vibration at 70mph, under the hood if I grab the column there is small play.
Never really messed with it only thing I've done on steering is ignition cylinder repairs on a 99 F-150 for the wife and replacing the airbag module on my Ranger with a Mazda one to pass inspection.
It comes and goes and only vibrates at 70mph or more, it loosens up after awhile so I'm thinking it's more than one issue.
Power Steering pump also has a leak, have to top off the fluid every now and then to keep the pump from burning out until I replace it.

 

[nickname23]

Also not driving it until I fix and change the transmission fluid issues
Figured I might be able to do something with the steering while it's parked doing this.

 

[Curious Hound]

I'm not quite sure what your question is.

However. The clock spring mechanism in your steering column has nothing to do with steering. It is just a coiled set of wires used to transfer electrical signals for the horn, cruise control and maybe stereo from the spinning steering wheel to the stationary parts of the truck.

 

[nickname23]

I'm not quite sure what your question is.

However. The clock spring mechanism in your steering column has nothing to do with steering. It is just a coiled set of wires used to transfer electrical signals for the horn, cruise control and maybe stereo from the spinning steering wheel to the stationary parts of the truck.

Ok see that makes more sense someone told me some incorrect information then. Wondering if it has too much play maybe the steering knuckle is starting to wear?

 

[nickname23]

Could also be the rack itself is loose which may transfer the vibration up to the steering wheel?

 

[sgtsandman]

Check the tubing on the steering rack itself. They are known to rust through and leak.

As far as the loose steering, check the tie rod ends. The outers tend to be the ones that go bad but it isn't unheard of for the inners to go bad. There isn't much to go bad on a rack and pinion steering system.

For the vibration, it is probably a tire issue. Balancing, maybe a slipped belt, something wrong with a rim. Try rotating the tires on one side and see if the problem goes away. If it does, there is something wrong with the tire that was on the front of that side. If it doesn't try the other side.