Steering column clunk when going over bumps

[MeanMark87]

So on my 88 BII I've noticed that when I am cruising down the road and I go over bumps, I can definitely feel a....clunk, I have no better way to describe it, in the column. The steering has some slop as well, which leads me to think it might be something like an inner/outer tie rod. I'm planning to do a lot of front end work on this truck anyway, but is there anything else I should check as a possible cause for this issue besides the usual suspects like tie rods, steering linkages etc. ? I'm wondering if this has something to do with the steering gear itself.

 

[martin]

Radius arm bushings are a common cause of front end clunks, the cross-member the bushings fit into sometimes have enlarged holes due to wear or rust.

 

[AgPete139]

I would lean more towards worn balljoints or TRE's, not the steering itself. I've had the castle nut (*sighs* yes, without the pin) unthread at the Pitman arm, and I've had worn TRE before, too. You will mostly get shaking at highway speeds and an unfirm feel at the wheel, not necessarily "clunks."

If the clunk does not occur while stopping, your brakes and calipers are fine. I would go through and check the radius arm bushings & nut tightness (if they haven't worn away to metal-metal), checking the wheel bearings by lifting the tire off of the ground and jiggling the tire at 12 & 6 o'clock, and checking your balljoints.

Good luck.

 

[AgPete139]

Ah! Martin beat me to it.

 

[MeanMark87]

Thanks guys. I am getting a bit of a shimmy at highway speeds as well like you mentioned. I was already planning on doing balljoints and wheel bearings anyway but I'll make sure to check those radius arm bushings too.

 

[richard booth]

Check the (rag joint) at the steering gear. Igot an 88 w/ a body lift and the person before me let it get bad, look for any tears in the rubber to eliminate that poissible issue.

 

[MeanMark87]

Check the (rag joint) at the steering gear. Igot an 88 w/ a body lift and the person before me let it get bad, look for any tears in the rubber to eliminate that poissible issue.

Thanks for the tip, I'll check it when I'm working on it today.

 

[RICO9]

I had a very similar problem with my B2 a couple years ago and it turned out that the bolts holding the steering box to the frame had all come loose.

 

[8879ford]

Seems like the topic matches my question; does anyone know where to buy a NEW direct fit replacement rag-joint for the steering shaft for a Bronco II, specifically an 88'?

 

[wadus]

Seems like the topic matches my question; does anyone know where to buy a NEW direct fit replacement rag-joint for the steering shaft for a Bronco II, specifically an 88'?

Rock Auto has it

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php?carcode=1106176&parttype=7418&a=Search+for+TYC