I just bought my 2000 CTD 4x4 with 228k miles on it. When I am going straight, if I move the steering wheel to the left or right it will make a click noise and I can feel it in the steering wheel. It only does it about 2" from center to the left or right. Anybody have any idea what it is? I just took all the plastic off around the steering column and there is so much crap there I can't see anything of what it could be. Kinda feels like a u-joint is sloppy or something. Could it be the steering box? It feels like its really close to the steering wheel but its hard to tell. Thanks for any help.

 

Check the clock spring and the U joint in the steering shaft. The steering gear box is under the hood all the way up front. I'm pretty sure you wouldn't hear anything inside that cab off of the gear box that you couldn't here outside the cab.