Wheel Slop

[MOSHO92]

Ok so i am getting a strange occurence when i make left hand turns (or any turns if it is cold). If the turn is sharp enough (the steering wheel more than 90 deg. to the left) i get a strange bump and a noise when i am turning. My PS pump also makes some groaning noises for any turn and my PS fluid is a dark grey (even after flushing it twice).

So today i lifted the car to inspect the wheel bearings. My front passenger side has a very slight (emphasis on slight) play for up and down movement. My front driver has no play.

The other thing i noticed is that i am able to bend the rear (up/down) with my hands. This isnt a bearing thing but more of some type of brace that is way to thin to support spirited turns.

This covers a lot of subjects i know but does anyone have advice (especially on the steering issue)

 

[edmontonsho]

I had a similar experience with noise while I was turning. I had no clue what it was and thought it was my PS. It turned out that my motor on my driver seat was shot, and would turn on the bolsters when leaning to far to the side.

Does the sound you hear sound like the seat motor?

 

[Don likes SHO]

Slop in the wheel bearings is someting that sould be addressed soon! May not relate to the noise when turning though?

I have heard non-taurus cars which would make funny noises during specific types of turns, it is often the springs shifting in their perch.
But with a Taurus I would first give the subframe bushings a thorough inspection by putting your car up on jackstands supporting at the "body". I use a chunk of wood to keep the jackstand from bending up the car.

I "flushed" my power steering using a turkey baster to remove as much fluid from the reservoir then topping off with fresh dexron II, repeating after driving each day. This was repeated until I ran a gallon jug of fresh fluid through the system (seemed like plenty to me).

I have noticed 3 differences as a result:
1) Only a slight improvement in color of my power steering fluid, maybe from black to grey.
2) I did notice the steering wheel firmed up just enough to notice without a doubt (~20%)
3) A noticeable improvement in smell of the fluid, now a lovely melange of dexron

I'm gonna be removing the power steering cooler and cleaning it (covered in crud) and flushing the system with another gallon the "right way" next time. The point being that the turkey baster method seems a band-aid at best.

<small>[ March 13, 2003, 02:39 AM: Message edited by: Don likes SHO ]</small>