Has anyone had issues with the steering wheel gear just spinning and not moving the gearbox? The wheel spins freely now and makes a mechanical noise as if it is disengaged or popped off of a gear in the column itself. At first i thought the loose steering was the gearbox so i replaced it along with rebuilding the shaft but then found out when i was bleeding power steering lines that the steering wheel itself now moves freely and "catches" hear and there.

 

I'm assuming the rag joint is good isn't it? It's that flat rubbery thingie (<-------fancy technical term) that attaches the shaft to the steering gear assembly. Have you had someone turn the wheel while you watch the shaft?

 

i did replace the factory coupler with a repair kit which did have a new plastic boot/seal. i can manually turn the shaft and the gear box by moving the center link so that is all working. i assume now its between the steering shaft and steering wheel.

 

did that repair kit come with a telescoping steering shaft? plastic rivets likely broke allowing the rag joint connector to drop because of the telescoping steering shaft.

 

thanks. it was the rag joint. Can't find anything anymore at the parts stores so i ordered a new steering shaft and joint. That should fix the issue. Still have a terrible ratcheting sound in my column but i guess that will have to wait until another day. Thanks for the help.

 

That might be the bearing at the top of the steering column. I've driven vehicles with that noise for years and it was annoying, but nothing more.