Steering Shaft/Linkage Noise

[CrossT]

I really have searched first . . .

I have a bothersome noise in the steering of my 86 coupe that doesn't seem to be the usual worn bearing at the steering wheel. I say it doesn't seem to be the outer bearing because I cannot cause any slack movement of the steering wheel at all up/down or laterally.

However, when I go over somewhat sharp bumps like a driveway entrance, there is clearly something showing some slack in the steering. It really sounds and feels like it is from the linkage between the rack and the steering wheel.

It is pretty distracting from an otherwise fairly tight car. I want to look into it this weekend, but was hoping for a headstart from you guys for things I ought to look for. Are there mounts or bushings in the linkage behind the dash and in the trunk that would likely cause such a noise. Any diagram someone might have would be of great help.
\
thanks

todd
86 coupe

[nhromyak]

You could check all the U-joints from the steering wheel to the rack. There is one, uner a cardboard thingy - up above near the vents (IIRC).

What kind of noise does it make when you go over a bump? Click? Thunk? Thud?
How does the steering go loose on the bump? Wander? Bump steer?

[911mot]

I had a noise from my steering that was driving me nuts. I could reproduce the noise at will, even stationary just rocking the steering side to side but I could find no play anywhere. I could just feel it if I put my hand round the coupling in the smugglers box
In the end I replaced the steering rack but when inspecting the old unit I found a loose nut holding the flange that the two arrowed bolts (no. 21) screw into was loose. By putting two bolts in and using a screwdriver between them I could reproduce the noise on the bench at full lock and could see the flange turning a degree or two below the nut. Tightening the nut cured it, but I left the new rack in.
The exploded diagram does not show the nut I'm referring to as it's considered part of the steering rack.


EDIT: The noise started of as a small clonk on hard cornering but gradually started appearing in the milder turns. Turn steering to full lock and see if it clonks or 'gives' just a little at maximum travel. Then rotate the steering all the way to the other lock and see if it clonks back. You can check the tightness of the nut from within the smugglers box - just a bit fiddly

[CrossT]

Thanks

I suppose it could be anything; lots of things could wear. There doesn't seem to be much in the way of bump steer, thoughthe car will be aligned once I have lowered it.

I suppose I will just get in the trunk and underneath and check for anything loose as well as worn u joints, grommets, bushings. This only happens on bumps, not cornering. It sounds like something is really coming apart; most severely demonstrated over cattle grates at low speed. Really sounds high up in the steering, but sound travels . . .

todd
86 coupe