steering BANG turning right

[Shankenstein]

hey guys, a couple weeks ago I got finished with the big project for the summer. Now my 93 has shocks that come back UP after going down, stock height sport springs, new bushings all around, new axles, and new tie rod ends.

The other day it's started to make a big ol BANG when ya turn the wheel to the right. Doesn't matter where you start from, just as long as you change directions. It's comin from under the drivers wheel well (not the transmission or engine). The tie rod ends, ball joints, and bushings are all snug so I'm stumped since I don't know steering too well yet. This happened to anybody else? Or at least know where to look next?

[evil_demon_01]

Can you feel the bang through the steering wheel?
Have someone do it while you get have a look around the area will be the easiest way to find the fault.

[Shankenstein]

thanks for the interest so far. So far I've checked to make sure my power steering and transmission fluids are OK. I got someone to listen to hear the bang back behind the drivers wheel (bottom of steering column?) You CAN feel it thru the wheel but it won't do it with the wheel taken off to see what's moving back there. Troublesomness. . .

[93accordfreak]

Sounds like your entire steering rack is moving.

Check out the 4 mounting bolts (if they're still there).

[rum_n_coke]

mine used to bang bang bang when i would turn left and my steering wheel would stay turned about 90° while driving straight... i bought a remanufactured rack and no more problems

[Shankenstein]

sorry Rummy, I just got an alignment after the work so my steering wheel's nice and happy. On the rack mounting bolts, I'll crank up the front end again and look. If y'all know of a DIY with pics that would help cause this is new for me. If it turns out my steering rack is effed, is that gonna be $$$ shop work or a weekend job w/ cheap hand tools (like susp. work)? Out.

[Shankenstein]

hey guys, it's slim pickins tryin to scrape some free time to work on things this summer but I got to dig around and found some good things.
-the little cover over where the PS lines meet the rack had something loose sitting in the bottom of it. . .

Once I got the cover off, I saw a BIG frikkin 4" bolt and washer and the found where it was sposed to go. (it's the clean hole on the top side of the picture) There was an empty spot on the junction holding the PS into the rack. I don't see how this would cause a BANG but it's something to fix!

I couldn't make the bang happen again in the driveway but I still won't say "fixed". While I was looking at a few other things, I want to tighten my PS belt a little. It's a dumb question but what direction do you turn the adjuster screw to make the belt get tighter? My chilton manual helps NONE here. Thanks all and more updates soon.

[bcjammerx]

just an idea...something to check for the hell...your ball joints all good?

[Shankenstein]

it's always a good thing to check. I did the wheel-shake test when I got started w/ no probs. In my big suspension project, i cleaned, repacked, and put Energy Suspension boots on em all. Imma check this afternoon to see if that missing PS line mounting bolt had anything to do w/ the bang. Also, if any of yall are interested, I could make a DIY for shocks/springs/axles/bushings pretty easy. So far it's been a fan-freakin-tastic repair/upgrade.

[Shankenstein]

so the shenanigans never end on this project. After I got everything put on and tightened the PS belt back on a smidge, my dad wanted to test drive the suspension (new to him) and he apparently left some nasty tire marks around the block. Next time I get to drive it, the belt starts shredding into spaghetti. Thankfully I had an old one laying around to use that was only halfway dead. Now that all this crap is done, I've made it to work a few days with no belt casualties and still no steering BANG's. The moral of the story:
Whether you did the work or a shop, make sure all steering components are bolted down tight and getting an alignment CAN go wrong, even at reputable shops.

[chillin943]

i broke a sway bar link bolt yesterday. my car would make a bangin sound as i turned it to the left. standing still and driving (worse driving tho). its a simple bolt with 4 bushing that bolts the sway bar to the chassis. 16.99 from autozone. reason i mentioned this is the bushing were completly dryrotted and crumpling in my hand. cheap part and worth a look at.

[Shankenstein]

i've heard of that problem before too. All my bushings are new (and a lil' squeaky) urethane. That did remind me of an OFF TOPIC question since I got paid today:
What do y'all think is the next most effective upgrade:
a) Progress rear sway bar (finish suspension completely)
b) wrapped stainless headers, probly gamble w/ OBX
c) cheap arse CAI with a nice filter
We do get some autoX and drag meets out here but I'm still in too much of a grocery-getter to win more than personal entertainment. Thanks!

[19dabeast85]

I had the exact same problem about 2 month ago with the bolts on the rack. It's never been removed to my knowledge so I guess eventually the bolts worked themselves out. I found one sitting on the PS lines cover and the other was loose. Put them back in with blue thread locker and no more problems. Glad you got all your problems fixed!