2 New Issues

2000 Windstar, 3.8L, 63,000 Miles.

1. Have a plastic sounding rattle inside the upper manifold (on occasion). I heard something about the inner piece becoming loose and using a dab of RTV to stop this. If this is the problem, should I put RTV on the two corners that have the clip type fasteners?

2. Steering wheel seems to have a little weird bump and play at LOW SPEEDS ONLY. I can only feel it off center about 1 inch either way. It goes away the minute I get above say 15-20. I purged the power steering pump in the past and have checked the fluid recently again and it seems very clean. Wondering if there is a common problem that these symptoms may lead two.

One last note. If I let go of the wheel at LOW speeds, it will oscillate back and forth about 1/2 inch either side of center.

First check the coupling at floor level that hooks up the str col and the strng rack.

I forget what the torque on the screws is supposed to be. If you need I will look it up.

Is the coupling above the floor (inside the van) or under the vehicle? I was looking around and can't seem to pimpoint what amd where you are referring.

The one inside the cabin. I don't remember exactly..prob a couple of inches above the floor.
Under a boot of some sort usually.

I remember the shafts being square in cross-section. This I thought was unusual....the ones I've seen earlier on other cars were round/splined.

The oscillating steering wheel is almost always caused from a broken or slipped belt in one or both front tires.

I like the thought of it being a broken or slipped belt in the tire. I personally balanced the tires the other day, would I have noticed this. If not, how do I check for it. Oh I hope thats the case. The streets here in Naples are full of potholes and I could really see that happening.

12Ounce:

Checked coupling connections. All tight and no play when wheel is turned from side to side.

Another cheap thing to check: The rubber pieces that are inside the clamps that hold the steering rack in place. These are formed rubber pieces that will fail over time especially if subjected to hard driving and if they get a lot of engine or tranny oil on them. Usually pretty easy to replace.

To inspect, have someone rock the strng whl left-right while you watch the rack to see if it moves relative to body metal.

FORDTRACMAN "Oscillating steering wheel is almost always caused from a broken or slipped belt in one or both front tires." I love this forum. I swapped the left front tire (50/50 chance) with a rear tire and the steering bump and play disappeared like magic!! I still find it weird since I balanced the tires myself just last week, but I guess those digital machines cannot check for lateral runout. Thanks again for all the help.