Drivetrain Grinding behind steering wheels?

Smokedawg · Sep 6, 2021

1990 GT
Last night I had my steering catch on me a couple times like the wheel didn't want to turn. Got home and turned the wheel back and forth a few times and there is grinding behind the steering wheel? I took the two plastic covers off just behind the wheel and verified the grinding/scraping noise is coming from behind the wheel and not down further in the column. At one point when turning I heard like a small snap if plastic and it sounded like that piece fell out but I couldn't find it. Anyone have ideas what's behind the wheel that could be causing this? I've owned the car 20+ years, never had the steering wheel off.

Smokedawg · Sep 6, 2021

Smokedawg said:
1990 GT
Last night I had my steering catch on me a couple times like the wheel didn't want to turn. Got home and turned the wheel back and forth a few times and there is grinding behind the steering wheel? I took the two plastic covers off just behind the wheel and verified the grinding/scraping noise is coming from behind the wheel and not down further in the column. At one point when turning I heard like a small snap if plastic and it sounded like that piece fell out but I couldn't find it. Anyone have ideas what's behind the wheel that could be causing this? I've owned the car 20+ years, never had the steering wheel off.

Pulled air bag off, kinda sounds like it's the clock spring area. I haven't pulled the steering wheel yet. Not sure if the clock spring could somehow break and cause the steering to catch.

General karthief · Sep 7, 2021

Likely the bearing has come apart, in the tilt column there are two, one at the bottom of the tube and one at the top, the air bag column may also have two but I don't have one handy to check.
i replaced the one on the dump truck, similar air bag column, long time ago so the memory is corrupted, common sealed bearing, didn't have to be pressed on or anything just massive column disassembly, fixed for maybe 12 bucks parts.

Smokedawg · Sep 7, 2021

Does non tilt wheels have this bearing too? My car does not have tilt steering wheel.

General karthief · Sep 7, 2021

Yes, the steering shaft has to be supported at the tube,

Mstng93SSP · Sep 8, 2021

If it is the bearing the shaft will be able to be moved up and down and feel loose. If it is the clock spring it shouldn't move. Does the horn, cruise etc. still work?

manicmechanic007 · Sep 8, 2021

The general is right
Your column bearings are shot
You will be glad it is not a tilt when fixing it
I have fixed thousands of these
Pretty easy for a pro
Quite bitchy for a beginner but doable be prepared to grind a punch or two into a small chisel

manicmechanic007 · Sep 8, 2021

There will be no excess bearing c;learance until a few balls pop out of the bearing
The column will lock up first followed by bad panic.
When you yank the wheel is when a bearing or two will pop out
You will be able to pull the inner races off the shaft with just your fingers
Use the modified punches (chisels) you made to punch out the races
I have funny stories to tell about these bearings working at the dealer

General karthief · Sep 8, 2021

I can tell you about the steering wheel locking up and acting more like a ratchet than a wheel.

manicmechanic007 · Sep 8, 2021

If unsure of the diagnosis pull the clockspring out and retest the column bearings

General karthief · Sep 8, 2021

That stuff gets removed anyway to get to the upper bearing so you'll see if that is it

Smokedawg · Sep 13, 2021

It ended up being the clock spring. It has the two pieces and after pulling the wheel, when you spin the smaller center piece, it drags hard and makes a scratchy noise. Ended up tossing the clock spring in the trash for now and put the steering wheel back together and went for a quick drive. No problems now.

General karthief · Sep 13, 2021

Damn, I got it right twice last week now I'm starting out down one.

chrlsful · Sep 13, 2021

'S OK, remote diganosis is v e r y difficult. Pic help...
Keep tryin Gen - U got experience some of us need...
8^ )

manicmechanic007 · Sep 13, 2021

The expensive sobs
Had to replace my in E150
Cost me 227 just for the oem ford clockspring

chrlsful · Sep 13, 2021

"differential diagnosis" not easy

7991LXnSHO · Sep 14, 2021

Smokedawg said:
It ended up being the clock spring. It has the two pieces and after pulling the wheel, when you spin the smaller center piece, it drags hard and makes a scratchy noise. Ended up tossing the clock spring in the trash for now and put the steering wheel back together and went for a quick drive. No problems now.

I hope you clipped off and saved the wires for when you need to customize and use a Morormite Help replacement.

chrlsful · Sep 14, 2021

finddormanhelp.com/Search?pcat=2&cat=37&page=14
or nother...

7991LXnSHO · Sep 14, 2021

chrlsful said:
finddormanhelp.com/Search?pcat=2&cat=37&page=14
or nother...

The link does not work, but Doorman is who distributes the Help section parts.

chrlsful · Sep 14, 2021

'...The link does not work..."
not supposta. Just an example ie:
"...or nother......"

"... Morormite Help replacement..."
isa dorman company.

Drivetrain Grinding behind steering wheels?

Smokedawg

Smokedawg

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

Smokedawg

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

Mstng93SSP

You have a nice rear end there Dave.

manicmechanic007

manicmechanic007

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

manicmechanic007

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

Smokedawg

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

chrlsful

Active Member

manicmechanic007

chrlsful

Active Member

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp

chrlsful

Active Member

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp

chrlsful

Active Member

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Drivetrain Grinding behind steering wheels?

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

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You have a nice rear end there Dave.

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

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wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

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wanna catch the space herp

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