Hi all. My 46 Stylemaster makes a thump sound sometimes when I break or go over a bump. I can feel it in the steering and the floor board. Seems to be coming from the driver's side. I lifted the car and started looking for anything loose or brake related. I found that the steering tie rods (?) can be moved from side to side, and when I do this, I hear a thump that seems to be coming from the steering box pitman shaft (?). I will try to post a five second video with sound that I took a few minutes ago. Any idea what is worn, broken etc. or is the solution an adjustment of some sort? If I cannot post video on this forum, please indicate how I can go about posting it. It is very easy to understand the problem with the video. Thanks a bunch
Based on that short video it looks like the one tie rod end especially is worn.
The best way I know to troubleshoot steering problems requires 2 people. I do most of the checks with the wheels on the ground. The resistance from trying to turn the tires quickly shows you where there is free play and wear.
One person turns the steering wheel back and forth until they feel resistance in each direction. In many cases there will be noise, mainly “clunks”. The other person is on the ground and underneath the car with a flashlight. Watch each area where there is motion. In many cases you can place your hand on the joint and feel the free play.
Make sure you watch where the spindles mount to the suspension. Those pivots wear also. Feel the steering box as part of the troubleshooting. One point I often watch is how much the steering shaft turns before I see the pitman arm move. That indicates what is going on inside the steering gear.
Be organized and systematic in the process. I expect you will find multiple points of wear. Sometimes you have to replace the worst parts first to further identity other worn parts.
Rusty I've played the video over and over, and to my eye it looks like a LOT of play right in the steering box where Marcellin says the noise seems to be coming from.
I could not tell from the video exactly where there was lost motion. I agree that the box could be a problem. It appeared to me that the one tie rod end was jumping. That could just be a reaction to the steering gear
You could well be right. There may well be more than one problem here. I do think however that the loud clunk is likely from the gear itself as the arm seems to jump back and forth a definite and large distance as the tie rods are moved back and forth from below. Without a large amount of play in the gear. I would expect the movement to be smoother as the steering wheel would need to spin with the movement.
Thanks for your suggestions. I will do more verification based on your comments. The car has had this problem for a number of years but I drive it rarely but now have time to drive it more. I have had the car 25 years now and doubt I have put more than 1000 miles on it. I have never touched the steering system during this time. Thanks again and will let you know what I find in couple of days. I am sure I will be needing your help again. Here is a video of my car taken last week. It doesn't really sound like that... when I record any car with my phone it always sound like a truck without a muffler... it is really quite quiet... really!!!...
Another question... looking at the catalog of one of the large Chevy parts supplier, I found out that they sell tie rod ends for the long tie rod, the right/passenger side tie rod. However, the tie rod that is currently on the car HAS NO ADJUSTABLE TIE ROD ENDS. It is just a solid bar with a fixed tie rod end fitting at both ends. However, the short left/drivers side tie rod does have an adjustable tie rod at both ends. Is this normal?
The genuine Chevrolet tie rod did not have adjustable ends. Check the pitman arm. t it is in two pieces bolted together with hard rubber bushing. Bushings get oil soaked and mushy.
What happens when the non-adjustable tie rod ends get worn out? Do you have to replace the whole tie rod? I did not see a supplier that sold a solid right hand, non-adjustable tie rod. And how can you tell when the tie rod end is worn out? The end appear firmly bolted down but when I grab them and shake them up and down, there is movement and a clunking sound that comes from inside the socket. Does that mean they are worn out? Thanks again.
The long ne one piece tie rod was used from 1939-1948 and when ends got loose the complete unit was replaced. Evidenve of the end being worn is up and down movement. They never made noise wnen driving. Due to old age the lining in the tie rod end mave have broken down.
I never thought about the rubber bushing getting mushy. I have a 48 Chevy and your poet got me thinking about my loose steering. is there a rubber bushing on the pitman arm of the 48 ??
Last edited by STOKER; 09/18/2110:08 AM. Reason: added info
From listening to the video, it sounds like something is being caught in a bind and then releasing to cause the "thump". I can't think of anything in the box that would be able to jump over a bind without interfering with the gear settings. The pitman shaft nut being loose wouldn't cause it because it would continue to skip and the fact that it is fixed in place the slot.
I think that replacing the tie-rod ends would be a good start and work from there.
Good luck with it.
Charlie
BTW: I was going to offer one of my spare sectors or tie-rod ends but then I saw the video of the car. Big mistake there. Running "Fultons" on an otherwise nice car can produce a negative effect. Can too!
