Steering column noise?

[jaythejug]

He all! I have a 66 with a cruise o matic and when im driving along there is a clack, clack, clacking sound comming from my steering column. When i move the shifter towards the neutral a little bit it stops. I have dug in there before but i didnt she any moving parts so i dont understand why its chattering. could something be not lined up and the trans cable is makeing the noise? it does go into gear just fine.

[64 f100]

Okay, here is your can of worms. First, is your rag joint good, or have you ever replaced it? One of the main problems with our truck stems from bad cab mounts, either hardened and flattened rubber , possibly even missing. The other is rotted steel on the cab mounts. The resason I asked aobut the rag joint is that the first place to feel the affects is the rag joint on the steering column. AS the old rag joint gets old and starts to deteriote it tears easily under constant stress. First sign of cab mount problems. This also puts pressure on bearings and parts in the column. Another place to check, is the transmission mount and or engine mounts. . There is also on your shift leaver a tit that goes into a detent on the collar of the column. These wear and need to be replaced or repaired on occasion. Then of course you have other wear parts in the column. Years of being driven on the original grease used from the factory will leave metal against metal. Lots of places to check out, but I suggest starting with the cab mounts. No sence in fixing a wear point if it is caused by something else need ing fixed first.

Rich

[64 f100]

Forgot to say there are plastic bushings on the shift rods, be sure to check those and make sure those are not wornout.

rich

[banjopicker66]

Check your speedometer cable.
Does the needle bounce in time with the clacking?
If it does, and/or the noise changes in frequency as you increase or decrease speed, the cable might be clicking inside the sheath.
It is possible the cable is transmitting the noise up through the steering column by resting against it.
Other possibilities include the speedometer itself or the driven gear at the transmission end of the cable.
It is not uncommon for speedometer and cable noises to be difficult to track down. They can deceive one's ears as to the source.

[jaythejug]

thanks! First, the cab mounts do need replaceing. No rotten metal though. (I really lucked out with this truck!!) the rag joint does seem to be newer with no dry rot or tears. After reading your posts i got underneath it and checked the speedo cable at the trans. looks good. I did have the steering wheel off this winter for repair. I did check bearings and other things all looked good except the turn signal cam and the ident plate thing (for a lack of better words) that the shifter tit goes into. might be worn? it does shift and hold into reverse, neutral but when in "D" i can move the shifter around and when the pointer sits on "D" it makes that sound and i can feel it in the shifter handle. Should i buy a new part or do you think i dont have something lined up? It is hard to get the shifter into "1" and "2". Im going to watch the speedometer tomarrow and see if it bounces around when the noise happens. Now that i think about it! my speedometer is bouncing around more than last year.

[ezernut9mm]

sounds like the linkage is out of adjustment.

[64 f100]

I would suggest taking the steering column completely out and take it apart. There are bearings in the top and bottom of the steering shaft. In addition there is a plastic piece on the bottom of the column similar to the metal piece at the top that holds the shaft centered. It's taperred and wears out, especially if the cab has been bouncing around. In addition, the shift tube has a tab the welded to the shift that the ball on the shifter fits into. This tab can come loose. I suggest that you buy the bearings and plastic pieces before taking the column down so you have these parts ready to go in. The tab can be welded back onto the shift tube if it has come off, but may be badly worn. Shift linkage will be hard toadjust with the cab moving around. Each time the cab moves it changes the linkage adjustment. AS to the indent plate and shifter wear, I don't know of any replacements unless you can find NOS. I have in the past made repairs on small parts but be aware you could easily ruin the part. Best have it reapired by someone with tig experience. YOu might be aboe to buy a used setup but no gaurantee that it will be any better than what you have.

Rich

[banjopicker66]

Jay, it sounds like you have 3 possible problems going on here.
1. Speedometer or cable issues - If the clacking occurs while in motion, then it is in this area. Note that the outside of the cable - that is the sheathing - may look fine but have internal problems. You will need to inspect the entire outside of the cable as well as the inside rotating part to make sure.
2. Shift collar or column issues - if the clacking occurs while shifting then you most have mechanical shift or upper steering column issues.
3. If the shift handle or steering column is vibrating while moving forward, then there is a problem with vibration in the drivetrain, wheel balance, or similar that is being transferred up into the steering column.
Is the cab sitting correctly on the cab mounts? Especially the front ones.
How about torn or broken motor mounts, or even a transmission mount?
U-Joints all OK?

Hope this helps you find the problem.

[dsrtjeeper]

My '66 with Cruise-O-Matic is doing the same thing. When it starts rattling; I grab the shift lever and can feel it. It's getting worse by the day.

[jaythejug]

WOW! Thanks guys. I really paid attention to what was going on today. The column itself does not move or vibrate in any direction. thats the outer portion. the shifter portion does lock into P,N,1,2. when in the D ident there is a lot of play. meaning i can move the shifter back and forth before it goes into neutral or 2nd. when im driving (only driving) the shifter will move down a bit towards 2nd then makes the chatter.

This winter I am planning on replacing cab mounts, pulling engine to fix the infamous rear intake manifold leak, and replace other various seals and repaint. replace tranny mounts and engine mounts and clean it all up. it is my everday driver when i cant ride my bike but it sounds like i have my work cut out for me with this issue. What really stinks is that i just bought the truck not too long ago from a third party. And i have no idea what they did or didnt do. I was having fuel issues and i found and pulled out a piece of duct tape from around the pick up tube in my tank. what the hell!? Many surprises so far! The great news is that its a solid truck all around. In Michigan its a rare find. Thanks again guys!!!

[William-in-St George]

The plastic bearing holder at the bottom of the steering column can be replaced with a nice piece of oak turned on a lathe and drilled 3/4 inch for the steering shaft. If you are careful you can put a lip on it that just stops on the column. No more squeaky bearings. Cost about eighty cents and about 20 minutes on a lathe. Soak it in oil and tap it in.