[Cricket]

This only happens when it's cold and when I'm turning the wheel all the way to the right or the left, but the car will seize up front and then "pop" and "jump" it seems like. Like the wheels are hitting something, or seizing up and the movement is causing stress an. It's hard to explain, but I think it might be something like my steering rack. Just wanted some other opinions.

[ReverendDexter]

I'm not really sure what you mean. Does the steering wheel hit resistance at almost-lock, and then "pop" through that resistance? Or does the car feel bound up with the wheel at full lock, and then the suspension "pops" and unloads as the car moves through a corner? Or something totally different than those?

[Cricket]

When I put it to the lock and i feel resistence, but then I hear a pop of what feels like is actualy front end components, and not like tires getting caught up. I know my alignment upfront is off. I'm thinking it might be the steering rack, or tie rods or something under too much stress possibly. The guy who owned the car before me didn't know shit about what he was doing, but kept on doing it. Also when it does "pop" it then gets caught up again, and will do it again until I straighten out, and the car warms up more.

[ReverendDexter]

Yeah, that sounds like somethings loose, or maybe a worn bushing. I'd get underneath and make sure that all your suspension bolts are torqued properly (including your rack mounts), and if it still does it, drive it up on some ramps and have a friend saw the wheel back and forth while you watch what's going on down there.

Weird that it only does it cold, though.

How's the power steering fluid? Has it been flushed ever?

[Cricket]

well recently I was having a weird noise...and end up finding out my power steering fluid was low. It wasn't ever flushed, but it has a lot of new fluid in it. It did the popping before the whole dumb moment on my part of not checking the ps resevoir. I'm sure running with the fluid as low as I had it didn't help it though.

[1rnkpny]

Sounds like the rack jumping in the bushings.

[ReverendDexter]

If it does turn out to be the rack bushings, I can't recommend Maximum's solid rack bushings enough. I honestly don't know what NVH Ford was preventing with the rubber bushings, as I have ZERO additional with solid aluminums. Combined with a solid steering shaft, I have absolutely no play in my steering.

[wraitherx]

Originally Posted by ReverendDexter If it does turn out to be the rack bushings, I can't recommend Maximum's solid rack bushings enough. I honestly don't know what NVH Ford was preventing with the rubber bushings, as I have ZERO additional with solid aluminums. Combined with a solid steering shaft, I have absolutely no play in my steering.

Hmmmm.... i may have to look into this.

[Lefty]

Originally Posted by wraitherx Hmmmm.... i may have to look into this.

+1

[Cricket]

Now one thing I forgot to mention is that when it does pop...it will lock back up and keep popping until I straighten the wheel out. I'm considering just replacing the steering rack. I know Lethal has the Flaming River steering rack with the shaft for about $600. Has a 19:1 ratio on it over the 15:1 the stock rack has.

[C MY 4D]

You said you alignment is off... If the toe is off it will cause a binding feel in tight maneuvers.

[Cricket]

but wouldn't that be constant, and not releave itself after the car warms up a bit?

[jessemachone]

Originally Posted by Lefty +1

+ another.

Rev is great with the suspension advice.

My car was doing the snap crackle pop until I replaced the lower control arm assemblies. I went with ford racing parts for now. I will be going tubular down the road.

[C MY 4D]

That all depends on how the suspension is loaded.... do you get any weird vibrations in the brake pedal?

[Cricket]

Nope.

[1rnkpny]

How are your upper strut mounts? I know that if the rust up they can cause the steering wheel to "studder" when moving back and forth. Also check for a spring that has shifted as well in its seating position. Is there any noise as well that you may be able to hear and pinpoint with a stethescope?

[C MY 4D]

It would be alot easier to diag if one of us could drive it. I would raise the front end and check for any play, leaks or torn bushings. If you don't find anything wrong take it to get an alignment done.

[Cricket]

now I know there are no leaks, but I will check for play and torn bushings.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by 1rnkpny How are your upper strut mounts? I know that if the rust up they can cause the steering wheel to "studder" when moving back and forth. Also check for a spring that has shifted as well in its seating position. Is there any noise as well that you may be able to hear and pinpoint with a stethescope?

It's not that the steering wheel is shuddering it's that my front end is popping, but only when the car is cold, and the wheel is all way to the right or the left. And when it "pops" it's like there is some resistence, and then a release at the pop, but it locks back up again.

I'm just gonna have to get under the car, and see whats up, but I'm pretty sure my alignment, and my steering rack are too blame.

[C MY 4D]

Your Toe is probably way off. I highly doubt your steering rack is doing it.
I have had this issue a few times after installing new tie-rod ends before doing an alignment.
If you want to bring the car to my shop I can get it done cheap if not free.