Squeak and play when turning wheel

87lc2 · Sep 22, 2009

Just got a 96 Cobra to play around with and have two issues with the car. First, the steering squeaks when turning left to right, both when moving and stopped, but more pronounced when moving slowly or stopped. Second, there is a small amount of play in the steering wheel that is definately not supposed to be there. Havent checked the car out yet just wondering if anyone has an idea of what to look for when I get under there. TIA

twogts4us · Sep 22, 2009

Do you really need another toy? LOL - Just kidding...
The clockspring could be your issue with squeaking. As for the play, I'll let others chime in. Could be any # of things, but I'm sure there are some items you can target.

87lc2 · Sep 22, 2009

I needed something with a stick, autos are boring, lol. Anyway, I figured I would check out the tie-rod ends, ball joints, and rack bushings for the squeaking. Just havent had time yet. Are you talking about the clockspring for the airbag? Its definitely not that, the squeak is outside of the car, cant hear it with the windows up.

stangman11 · Sep 22, 2009

There are two things you could look at along with the rest of the suspension components in the front end. Take a look at the steering column shaft that comes down to the rack. Those U joints can sometimes squeak, also there is a rubber bushing on the column that is designed to dampin road vibration when those wear they can make a noise as well. let me know what you come up with.

87lc2 · Sep 22, 2009

Thanks stangman, I tend to think you're on to something because when I grabbed the shaft just after it comes out of the firewall it moves all around a good 1/4" to 1/2". Im hoping the play in the wheel and the squeaking are related and I can fix both problems in one shot. Where is the bushing in the column? Down near the firewall?

trombonedemon · Sep 22, 2009

Yea the bushing is at the very top near the firewall.

87lc2 · Sep 22, 2009

Had about 15 mins of daylight when I got home tonight so I checked out the bushing at the firewall and it looks pretty bad. Going to try and get one at the Ford dealer tomorrow. As far as the squeaking, if it helps to narrow it down any, when I push down on the front end I can hear the squeak, so its not just when turning the wheel apparently.

cooter_11 · Sep 22, 2009

Sounds like that's more than likely a balljoint. It may also be a bushing in your suspension making the noise, but balljoint is more likely. Especially if there is play in the steering wheel.

87lc2 · Sep 22, 2009

Most likely is the balljoint making the squeaking, but could it be the strut mounts? Had someone bounce the car up and down and sounded like it was coming from the top of the wheel well

87lc2 · Sep 23, 2009

Ok guys, finally got a half hour this morning to look at the car. The squeaking was the tie rods. I put a needle through the boots and shot some grease in and the squeak is gone. However, the driver side inner tie rod is shot. Question is, how do you replace the damn thing? Would it be better to just get a new rack with the inners attached? As far as the play in the wheel, the rag joint is ok and the bearing at the firewall is not great, but not terrible. The play is actually where the shaft meets under the dash in the car. There is no bolt or adjustment there, it looks like the upper portion of the shaft slides into the lower portion of the shaft. Im assuming there is no way to fix that and I will need a new shaft. If anyone has had that happen, please let me know what you did. Sorry for the novel, just wanted to give the most accurate info possible. Again guys, thanks for the help.

stangman11 · Sep 23, 2009

I would not suggest buying a new rack thats gonna cost you a ton of money. Inner tie rods are not had to do, once you remove the boot you can fit a wrench around the end nut loosen it and it comes off by unscrewing it just like the outers. In terms of the play in the wheel I would replace the inner tie rod first then see if that corrects the play issue in the wheel.

twogts4us · Sep 23, 2009

stangman11 said:
I would not suggest buying a new rack thats gonna cost you a ton of money. Inner tie rods are not had to do, once you remove the boot you can fit a wrench around the end nut loosen it and it comes off by unscrewing it just like the outers. In terms of the play in the wheel I would replace the inner tie rod first then see if that corrects the play issue in the wheel.

+1 - We put a new rack in my wife's 01 GT...it was about $800 with Ford labor...absolute ripoff.

Squeak and play when turning wheel

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