Another Radius Arm Bushing Question

[trailbikerider]

On my 94 2WD, every time I go over any moderately sized bump when it's cold outside (say below 20°F), I get a bad clunking noise coming from the front end. My steering wheel also shakes vertically more than it should pretty much every time I go over any bump no matter what the ambient temperature outside is.

I've read the steering wheel shake may be caused from air in the power steering system? But I have bled the PS system probably 5 times with no improvement. So I'm thinking they both are related to the same problem and I was thinking maybe the R.A.Bs? The only problem is my truck doesn't have the normal symptoms of a bad radius arm bushing; like clunking when switching from reverse to forward or clunking when hitting the brakes.

It's had this problem for probably over a year now and it's just starting to get to the point where it's bothering me and I want to have it fixed. Other than the RABs, any other suggestions as to what it might be?

 

[Earl43P]

Lower balljoint would be my guess.

You can easily see slop in the RA Bushing by laying on the ground while someone is moving the truck a foot or two and applies the brake hard (backward and forward).

 

[trailbikerider]

It is possible, that was another guess. I replaced the tie rod ends a couple months back thinking that would help. Unfortunately it didn't.

 

[Insanejughead]

What about the center link? Did you check/replace it when you replaced your tie rod ends?

Any time your wheels are bounced, the steering linkage is pulled/squeezed, and that would directly transmit up through the steering box and column.

Also, I'm about to be replacing my radius arm bushings. I'm just waiting for warmer weather.

 

[trailbikerider]

Do you mean the drag link? I work at NAPA and we don't show a center link listed for a 2WD, only for a 4WD.

 

[Insanejughead]

Well the piece that connects to the pitman arm to the passenger side, and the one that joins it up to the driver side... It's been four years since I touched mine, so it's easy for me to have forgotten what they're called. Drag link, I'll try to remember that.