So guys I need a little help diagnosing an issue I have been having lately.

If I turn my steering wheel slightly left or right off center I get a pretty noticeable knock in the front end. Sounds like it's coming from the drivers side. I only have to turn the wheel 1/10th of a turn or less. It also only does it at this point, just a small amount off of center. No noises at lock, etc.

I did a search and couldn't find too much about anything other than noises at full lock, etc. I know the previous generation trucks would have the intermediate steering shaft go bad sometimes. I grabbed the intermediate steering shaft and gave it a little pull and it seems like there is a little play in it but I have no idea if that's normal or not.

I really hate throwing money at anything so would like to get some opinions from you guys. Thanks in advance!

 

The issue with the steering shafts wasn't usually play but that they were binding up. Any odd tire wear up front? Check for some wear in your components.

 

I bought the intermediate steering shaft / bolt. However I really don't want to waste my time installing it if someone else has had experience with this and it was something else.

Anyone else have any other ideas?

I haven't really noticed any odd wear in the tires but I'll check them out tomorrow. I rotate around 3,500 miles so it hasn't been too long and I didn't notice anything. Also to note when I turn the steering wheel and it makes the knock. I can actually feel it transmit through the steering wheel.

I didn't notice anything in any of the components when I was just under it. I can feel play in the intermediate steering shaft but like I said I don't know if that's normal or not. Would someone like to try to move theirs around by hand? I did see that it was it binding up. The way it sounds and feels kind of like it's binding and then releasing making the knock noise as it moves passed that point.

 

Following. Mine does the same thing. Partial turn and a pop. Sounds like binding but I can't find it. I'm going to sit into the steering shaft when the rain clears off. Zero impact on handling and no off tire wear.

 

I might try to get a video of it. I'll probably just try to throw this intermediate steering shaft on it since I've got it sitting in the garage.

 

Mine doesn't do it every time either. It's intermittent but it's getting on my nerves.

 

Hey Nasty, get someone in the driver seat, and you on the outside, and have them cycle the steering. I'm assuming you get the noise/feeling with the truck in park as well. If you have to put it in drive to get this symptom, make sure you can trust who ever is in the divers seat.

 

Oddly enough mine went from never happening to happening about 95% of the time.

 

Anyone get this problem fixed? I'm having the save issue but only when I turn left