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264 Posts
Hi All,
I have been chasing a problem on my 88 graduate for quite some time now. It started as a Knock, Knock, Knock during left hand turns (not right hand turns).
My first investigation lead me to rebuilding the idler arm box, which helped a little. Then I found a bad ball joint on the center link which I replaced, but the left hand turn knocking persisted.
Finally I looked to the steering box and tried to adjust it per this procedure:
What I have found is that when I adjust the box so that it is tight when pointed center, there is looseness when turned to the right or left lock position, but noticeably more freeplay when turned left.
In fact, I cannot adjust out the free play when in the extreme left turn position. At that point the idler arm still rocks by 1/4"
My questions are:
1) Is my steering box worn out ?
2) If it is worn out, I'm under the impression that new ones are not available, is that correct ?
3) Should I set the adjustment so that the box is tight in the center position, but the right and left positions are reduced as much as possible ?
Thanks as always !!
I have been chasing a problem on my 88 graduate for quite some time now. It started as a Knock, Knock, Knock during left hand turns (not right hand turns).
My first investigation lead me to rebuilding the idler arm box, which helped a little. Then I found a bad ball joint on the center link which I replaced, but the left hand turn knocking persisted.
Finally I looked to the steering box and tried to adjust it per this procedure:
What I have found is that when I adjust the box so that it is tight when pointed center, there is looseness when turned to the right or left lock position, but noticeably more freeplay when turned left.
In fact, I cannot adjust out the free play when in the extreme left turn position. At that point the idler arm still rocks by 1/4"
My questions are:
1) Is my steering box worn out ?
2) If it is worn out, I'm under the impression that new ones are not available, is that correct ?
3) Should I set the adjustment so that the box is tight in the center position, but the right and left positions are reduced as much as possible ?
Thanks as always !!