Steering Clunking - whats knackered???...please help!!!!

[Gütterßnipe]

Hi there,
I'm running a LHD 71 Westy and sor the past couple of weeks my steering has been making an unusual clunk/knocking sound.
Basically when stationary or moving, when I steer left or right the steering is responsive for the first 30 degrees then it becomes loose without any resistance for the next 5-10 degrees and then you hear a clunk from below the bottom of the steering column. i.e. where the steering box is!...then the steerin is back to "normal" until you need to steer back again!
The steering otherwise is responsive and I have no problems with control.
I took a quick peek under the front today and noticed the front rubber bush was torn/worn on the arm that comes from the beam up towards the side of the steering box.(draglink?) not sure of technical term??
Any help appreciated before I either tackle this myself or send it to a Dubshop
I've got the Muir book and a Bentley manual at the ready!
HOPING ITS NOT THE STEERING BOX

Big thanx

Spence

 

[VWAIRCOOLED]

Leave the bus on the floor and get someone to take up the play in the steering wheel,turning it left and right until the road wheels only just move whilst you have a look at all the joints for movement.Starting from the rubber coupling above the steering box to column ,then the arm on the steering box itself,then the drag link arm joints both ends,then the steering idler joint on the beam,then the track rod end joints.

What you're looking for is movement.When you turn the steering wheel something should move straight away,if you're getting input but not much output from a joint then you have wear in that part.

 

[Gütterßnipe]

thanks for this!
I've tried to get the wife to help but no chance...got a club meet on wednesday so will take it along for more help
cheers
Spence :roll:

 

[jimthebin]

have you tried tightening up all the bolts ??

have this with mine the other week and the wife did help to turn the wheel when it was jacked up and i found one bolt to be only slightly loose

might be worth tightening all bolts then taking it for a spin worked for me

hope it is something easy

good luck

JTB