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Happiegrrrl2
Trad climber
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Topic Author's Original Post - Sep 25, 2017 - 02:05pm PT
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I have noticed 3 ties in the last month or so that when I turn the steering wheel fully to the right, before it returns to the center position, it seems to get caught up for a fraction of a second before moving smoothly.
Obviously I will take it to the shop, but since I just realized today that yes, this is a thing that is happening and not just something I imagined, I thought I'd give you all something to tease me over(and perhaps offer suggestions).
Yes, I already did a quick search and see it could be a number of things, and yes, I could wait until the guy takes a look. That won't be until next week though. I'll be driving fairly short distances on local roads for now, but the question begs - Am I gonna die in the interim?
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grover
climber
Castlegar BC
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Sep 25, 2017 - 02:46pm PT
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Hmm....doesn't sound good.
Perhaps try turning only left?
Three lefts equal one right.
Good luck Happie.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Sep 25, 2017 - 03:49pm PT
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You need ball joints until proven otherwise. This is a no go situation.
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Russ Walling
Social climber
from Poofters Froth, Wyoming
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Sep 25, 2017 - 04:25pm PT
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ruppell
climber
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Sep 25, 2017 - 04:30pm PT
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Holy sh!t, is it that time of year already?
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tradmanclimbs
Ice climber
Pomfert VT
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Sep 25, 2017 - 04:35pm PT
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We love you happie. try not to drive untill you get it checked out. The wheel can actually collapse and wreck all kinds of expensive sh#t. ball joints and tie rods are relativly cheap but the dammage and danger of what happens when the wheel falls off is NOT. If you do not have gold AAA you should get it ASAP and have the rig towed to a reputable shop. I know that is really tough when you live in the Van. Best of luck!
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Winemaker
Sport climber
Yakima, WA
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Sep 25, 2017 - 04:35pm PT
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As Russ suggests. What iteration is this? That van is sucking you dry. Ball joints, some type of recirculating ballitis, tie rods.....
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WBraun
climber
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Sep 25, 2017 - 05:06pm PT
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Also be very careful and make sure you get an honest mechanic for the diagnostics.
This type of diagnostic can easily be amplified into repairs you don't really need
because you have no experience with these different components of your suspension system.
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ruppell
climber
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Sep 25, 2017 - 05:21pm PT
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Werner,
It could also be that after 20 years and how many miles the front end needs to be rebuilt. Steering and suspension components only have so long of a life. I agree an honest mechanic is a must but even then it might be time for LBJ, UBJ, pitman arm and tie rod at the minimum.
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Gary
Social climber
Desolation Basin, Calif.
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Sep 25, 2017 - 05:23pm PT
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Strangely enough, this might be an instance where a multimeter is useless.
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Climberdude
Trad climber
Clovis, CA
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Sep 25, 2017 - 06:15pm PT
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Haarpy,
I love hearing about your adventures. Does your van have a steering stabilizer, which looks like a smallshock absorber attached between the steering arm and the frame? It could be the steering stabilizer as I have had this same problem with a damaged steering stabilizer. I would hope it would be this as opposed to the ball joints, which will much more expensive to replace. As others have suggested, I would suggested driving as little as possible and getting this inspected as soon as possible.
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zip
Trad climber
pacific beach, ca
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Sep 25, 2017 - 07:12pm PT
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At the present time, I have nothing to say that I haven't said many times before.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Sep 25, 2017 - 07:18pm PT
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zip, would you be referring to a fishing parable involving bait?
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beerlyman
Social climber
State of Confusion
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Sep 25, 2017 - 07:54pm PT
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Is this a Chevy?
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Happiegrrrl2
Trad climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 26, 2017 - 02:32pm PT
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The van passed inspection three weeks ago; the mechanic has a good reputation and isn't likely to be ignoring/missing something that wouldn't have passed inspection or was butting up against a non-pass. Although I suppose it is always possible they overlooked something.
I have an appt for next Wednesday, and if I see someone who I know can spot problems beforehand, I'll ask them to take a look.
Zip - Nothing to say, except then you couldn't help saying something.....
As for "bleeding me dry" - I don't get how people can keep saying THAT over and over when it has prove to be untrue. Must be nice to have the ability to own brand new vehicles, because I don't know ANYONE who has a used one of ANY age(much less a 1990) that has had to spend as little as I have since I got this one. And I have heard of plenty of people with NEW ones that have had repair bills that that have been more than I have spent on every repair done to this van since I got it in 2012. It's been nearly 5 years and besides oil changes/tires and such, I have paid less than $1500. That included a radiator that actually wasn't the problem(a story I choose not to tell on ST to save face for someone on this forum) and brake stuff, which....you naysayers never had to have your brakes on your "reliable" vehicles worked on?
Geez....
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tradmanclimbs
Ice climber
Pomfert VT
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Sep 26, 2017 - 02:59pm PT
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happie, one of the kids on our construction crew has a brand new pickup truck with a $500.00 a month payment. he has a good job, put in 40hrs a week but is behind on payments, let the insurance slip so could not get inspected. He got pulled over and towed a month or so ago because his inspection expired in feb.. Brand new rigs with big payments ain't all they are cracked up to be........
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Happiegrrrl2
Trad climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 26, 2017 - 03:18pm PT
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^ Yeah, I know. But in theory new vehicles are the way to go! Because you know you look like you're successful, if you have a shiny car.
I was talking to someone the other day just bought a brand new car. Six year loan and $350/mo payments.
If I thought I COULD responsibly manage the finances for a new vehicle, then maybe I would go for it. But dang that thing, what's it called....knowing oneself.... Just can't convince my mind that I could keep current with payments and related costs over the years to maintain the value of the "investment." Just can't convince myself that I need to go work for a corporation so I can have the exterior facade that is all bright and shiny, and that their soul in exchange for dollars deal is in my best interest.
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ontheedgeandscaredtodeath
Social climber
Wilds of New Mexico
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Sep 26, 2017 - 03:25pm PT
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Getting lectured by climbers for having an old rig is bizarre! Who are these people?? Not everybody can afford a new Mercedes Sphincter van. Just get the steering thing looked at ASAP- sounds sketchy.
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David Knopp
Trad climber
CA
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Sep 26, 2017 - 03:25pm PT
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i have never posted on your van travails before but now i couldn't resist-you could possibly have a decent non-make-you-crazy transport and not work for a big corporation. You don't need anything fancy or new, just something reliable-may i suggest something in a honda? i have a 14 yr old element, 260 k miles, never needed anything but tires and oil, and yeah the brakes done. Something like that. i wish you all the best!
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skcreidc
Social climber
SD, CA
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Sep 26, 2017 - 04:03pm PT
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If it only goes left, you are ready for some NASCAR
In theory, if you have a new car you should be able to get 60k miles out of it before something goes wrong (and hopefully more), and it's under warrenty. Cars, vans, and trucks are in a constant state of decay and it is tough for your mechanic to keep up with it. With an older vehicle it helps if you become fluent in repair of that vehicle.
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