Hi peoples!!! Question? I have a 93 F 150 4x4 that I've been trying to get back into good shape. I've had a problem in the past that lately has become more frequent. I have what I can only describe as a clicking feeling in my steering wheel. It's not a sound, its a feeling. It would be like holding a metal rod and having someone tap on the other end with a hammer. I get it if I hit some bumps in the road. I live in northeast Ohio, and if you know the area then you know that I get the feeling quite often. lol I also get it sometimes when I put on the brakes. Anyhow... using my Dr. Watson powers, I figure its from something in my suspension.

I had all the ball joints replaced about 6 years ago so I'm thinking its not that. I replaced all my shocks last year, but I had the problem intermittently before that, so I'm ruling that out. I replaced my wheel bearings and switched my bad automatic locking hubs for manual ones not long ago, but I had the problem before I did that, so I'm thinking it has nothing to do with that. I'm thinking maybe my tie rods???

I put the truck up on jack stands and did a basic wheel play check and other than a little movement in the pitman arm? (The the arm that connects the tie rods to the steering box) everything seems tight. Anyone have any ideas as to what it could be, or what I should check, or have checked? Like I said earlier. I don't hear any noises or clicking or anything like that. I just feel a thumping in the steering wheel. I hope to get some ideas quick, just in case its something serious. I don't want to be driving down the road and end up in someones front yard. Or worse....... someones front end. Thanks guys. I'll be checking back soon

 

The joints in the steering shaft between the column and the box?

 

radius arm bushings, or the lower shock bolts will get worn causing the bottom of the shock to move up and down.

 

TSB 96-23-01 Clicking Heard When Turning Steering Wheel

Publication Date: NOVEMBER 4, 1996

FORD:
1990-1991 CROWN VICTORIA, TAURUS

LINCOLN-MERCURY:
1990-1991 GRAND MARQUIS, MARK VII, SABLE, TOWN CAR
1991 CONTINENTAL

LIGHT TRUCK:
1992-1996 AEROSTAR, BRONCO, ECONOLINE, F-150-350 SERIES
1995-1996 EXPLORER, RANGER, WINDSTAR

ISSUE: A "clicking" noise may be heard when turning the steering wheel. This condition may be caused by minor surface variations in the original stamped non-silver plated upper column bearings.

ACTION: Install an Upper Steering Column Bearing Kit if noise occurs during Diagnosis procedure. Refer to the following Service Procedure for installation details.

NOTE: THE CLICKING NOISE DOES NOT AFFECT STEERING OPERATION.

DIAGNOSIS
Before replacing the bearings, the following checks should be made:
Hold the steering wheel in the 3 and 9 o'clock positions and rock the wheel (without rotating it) about its center, checking for the clicking noise.
Repeat while holding the wheel in the 12 and 6 o'clock positions.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

If the noise does not occur with the above checks, the noise is due to another component such as the clockspring and this TSB article does not apply. If the noise does occur, install the Upper Steering Column Bearing Kit (F6AZ-3605-AA) which includes silver plated upper steering column bearings. Refer to Instruction Sheet 7162 provided in the Upper Steering Column Bearing Kit for replacement procedure.

The Upper Steering Column Bearing Kit (F6AZ-3605-AA) contains one (1) each of the following items:
Steel Tolerance Ring
Steel Sleeve (Stamped)
Bearing Pre-Load Spring
Upper Bearing Snap Ring
Steering Wheel Attaching Bolt
Small Upper Bearing (Silver Plated)
Large Upper Bearing (Silver Plated)
Instruction Sheet (I.S. 7162)

PART NUMBER PART NAME
F6AZ-3605-AA Upper Steering Column Bearing Kit

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: 89-25-03 , 90-25-08 , 91-03-01
SUPERSEDES: 92-12-03
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under The Provisions Of Bumper To Bumper Warranty Coverage For 1991 Lincolns And 1992-96 Vehicles, Basic Warranty Coverage For All Other Vehicle Lines

OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME
962301A Install Steering Column Bearing Kit - 1990-91 Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis 1.9 Hrs.
962301B Install Steering Column Bearing Kit - 1990-91 Taurus (Manual Transmission) 1.4 Hrs.
962301C Install Steering Column Bearing Kit - 1990-91 Taurus/Sable (Automatic Transmission) 1.6 Hrs.
962301D Install Steering Column Bearing Kit - 1990-91 Mark VII 1.7 Hrs.
962301E Install Steering Column Bearing Kit - 1990-91 Town Car 1.8 Hrs.
962301F Install Steering Column Bearing Kit - 1991 Continental 1.6 Hrs.
962301G Install Steering Column Bearing Kit - 1995-96 Windstar (Without Tilt Wheel) 1.8 Hrs.
962301H Install Steering Column Bearing Kit - 1995-96 Windstar (With Tilt Wheel) 1.9 Hrs.
962301J Install Steering Column Bearing Kit - 1995-96 Ranger/Explorer (With Tilt Wheel) 1.8 Hrs.
962301K Install Steering Column Bearing Kit - 1995-96 Ranger/Explorer (Without Tilt Wheel) 1.7 Hrs.
962301L Install Steering Column Bearing Kit - 1992-96 Econoline (With SRS And Tilt Wheel) 2.0 Hrs.
962301M Install Steering Column Bearing Kit - 1992-96 Econoline (With SRS And Without Tilt Wheel) 1.9 Hrs.
962301N Install Steering Column Bearing Kit - 1992-96 Econoline (Without SRS And With Tilt Wheel) 1.8 Hrs.
962301O Install Steering Column Bearing Kit - 1992-96 Econoline (Without SRS Or Tilt Wheel) 1.7 Hrs.
962301P Install Steering Column Bearing Kit - 1992-96 F-150-350/Bronco (With SRS And Tilt Wheel) 1.8 Hrs.
962301Q Install Steering Column Bearing Kit - 1992-96 F-150-350/Bronco (With SRS And Without Tilt Wheel) 1.7 Hrs.
962301R Install Steering Column Bearing Kit - 1994-96 F-150-350/Bronco (Without SRS And With Tilt Wheel) 1.7 Hrs.
962301S Install Steering Column Bearing Kit - 1994-96 F-150-350/Bronco (Without SRS Or Tilt Wheel) 1.6 Hrs.
962301T Install Steering Column Bearing Kit - 1992-96 Aerostar 1.7 Hrs.

See this album for more info, including the full teardown procedure for the '92-up steering column.