Steering Issues

[Alcatraz]

So over the past few weeks me and my dad have replaced my wheel hub, steering knuckle, and ball joint on my passenger side lower control arm. Just yesterday we finished up before the Super Bowl and I go for a test drive and the steering on my car feels loose, sort of numb if that's the right word? It also sounds creaky or as if something is metal on metal but i'm sure that is the ball joint just getting used to being used. So anyway, we've gone back though everything we did and can't figure out why my steering is the way it is, anyone know how to fix this and or why it's happening?

[FordMan77]

Could be a bad rack. Get it up on a jack and support it w/ jackstands and turn it lock to lock and see if you can locate the noise. Ball joints do not make sounds unless they are worn out and loose.

Did this noise occur before or after you did the work? If after, go back through everything you touched and double check it.

[Alcatraz]

The creaking was after I did the work, before it was literally metal on metal, part of the old steering knuckle was literally scrapped away. I'm thinking in the morning the best bet will be to go back though and make sure everything is tightened as it should be. Any other advice?

[FordMan77]

What year is your car? The only thing that I could see creaking now would be a strut mount, but you don't loosen the strut mount to change a knuckle, just the 2 knuckle to strut bolts. I'm still trying to figure our how you scraped up the original one, lol..

[Alcatraz]

2000 Pontiac Grand PrixGTP Daytona 500 Edition. I honestly don't even know how my old knuckle got the way it did, it was so bad that I couldn't even get the rear bolt out of it, had to go get a new one from the scrapyard. Do you think it could be something loose that's causing it?

[FordMan77]

Rear bolt?? There are only 2 bolts that hold the knuckle in. Then there's the ball joint nut, and the outer tie rod end, which is also a nut. Can you post a pic of the damaged one?

[Alcatraz]

My dad chucked the old one, it was on my passenger side on the right side on the back of the knuckle was a bolt that was frayed (if thats the right word) away. I also put that new ball joint in and don't know if that could be the cause of anything.

P.S sorry for the late reply, up to my neck in school work lately.

[Alcatraz]

I just to the car out to try to be able to tell the noise, it's sort of a creeking/squeeking on my front passenger side along with it sounding like something grinding. Could I've put something on wrong or would it be something else?

[FordMan77]

Well, the only bolts on the backside of the knuckle are the 3 bolts that hold the hub assembly to the knuckle. As long as the ball joint nut is tight and the joint is full of grease you should be good there.

At this point it may be time to jack it up so both tires clear the ground, and with the pass. side tire removed have someone turn it lock to lock and pinpoint the area that is making the sound.

[Alcatraz]

Well, the only bolts on the backside of the knuckle are the 3 bolts that hold the hub assembly to the knuckle. As long as the ball joint nut is tight and the joint is full of grease you should be good there.

At this point it may be time to jack it up so both tires clear the ground, and with the pass. side tire removed have someone turn it lock to lock and pinpoint the area that is making the sound.

Thanks, gonna do that when I get a chance tomorrow. I'll report back with the details!