Hello. I need some steering an suspension help.

The problems(s):

1) When turning my 88 245 (210k mi.), there is about 2.0 inches of play in the steering wheel before the wagon will respond. This is most noticable in large arcing turns, such as a cloverleaf. I just noticed this recently, but it could have been doing it for years for all my unaware self knows.

2) When making a sharp turn (left or right), 90-degrees or so, I can hear a pop/thud/clunking (pothunking??) noise sounding from the front of the car. Has been doing this for about 2k miles.

Otherwise, the wagon drives great--there is no straying or tracking, no need for corrections in the steering, and no vibrations. It's very solid. Also, there are no p.s. fluid leaks.

Nothing jumps out as being terrlibly wrong with a visual inspection of the suspension and steering parts.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to solve these problems or how to do a diagnosis? Are they related, perhaps? How many steering linkage joints are on the wagon and how can i tell if they are worn and causing these problems? I read on the brickboard archives about a steering gear box that can be somehow tightened on an 1800 to correct this sloppy steering problem. Does my car also have this box?


Here's what i've done, suspension wise:

ball joint ends, 9k mi. ago
front and rear control arm bushings, 9k mi. ago
outer tie rod ends, 9k mi. ago

I chiseled out the front c-arm busings and was careful not to damage the arms themselves.

Here's what a "mechanic" did:

alignment, 9k mi. ago
struts and alignment, 7.5k mi. ago
meats (Toyo Spectrum), 400 mi. ago

Thanks alot to everyone who can give help and comments.

Regards,

Ally

If it is not the steering U-joints...

Have a good suspension shop check your inner tie rods, steering rack, upper strut tower bushings, and entire front suspension including all bushings and mounting bolts. For that matter, check that the steering rack is properly torqued down.
--
-- Bruce / '82 244 (315k miles!), '86 745, '87 760Ti, '94 854

Ally,

I agree with Fraser; check the steering universals. If they have never been replaced, and you dont have a belly pan/splash guard, then you got a likely culprit... fcpgroton.com has the upper and lower universals at the best prices I have seen (something like $125 for the pair). Peace, Jon

My 87 has a bad lower universal right now, and it's not as bad as yours, but the symptom is similar- lots of free play in the wheel. It'll be a totally different car when the joint is fixed. The u-joint is not cheap ($65 fro FCP Groton?) but it's the only solution.
You may want to have a shop replace this for you. It's something that a home mechanic can do, but it isn't much fun, and it IS a serious problem.
--
Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: '87 244DL/M47- 221K, 88 744GLE- 202K, 91 244 181K, 88 244GL 145K

Though you have done your front ball joints and tie rods, have someone rock the steering wheel side to side while you watch for looseness at the front.
--
1980 245 Canadian B21A with SU carb and M46 trans

I'm surprised a '98 has such problems. Be that as it may, there are two "U" joints in the steering column in the engine compartment. Have someone wiggle the steering wheel while you feel for looseness with your hand on the joints.

'my bad', as all the cool kids say.

anyway,

thanks for your advice.

Ally