OT: Pre-Trip Van Issue - What's Wrong?

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Happiegrrrl2

Trad climber
Topic Author's Original Post - Sep 25, 2017 - 02:05pm PT
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?
grover

climber
Castlegar BC
Sep 25, 2017 - 02:46pm PT
Hmm....doesn't sound good.

Perhaps try turning only left?

Three lefts equal one right.

Good luck Happie.
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Sep 25, 2017 - 03:49pm PT
You need ball joints until proven otherwise. This is a no go situation.
Russ Walling

Social climber
from Poofters Froth, Wyoming
Sep 25, 2017 - 04:25pm PT
ruppell

climber
Sep 25, 2017 - 04:30pm PT
Holy sh!t, is it that time of year already?
tradmanclimbs

Ice climber
Pomfert VT
Sep 25, 2017 - 04:35pm PT
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!
Winemaker

Sport climber
Yakima, WA
Sep 25, 2017 - 04:35pm PT
As Russ suggests. What iteration is this? That van is sucking you dry. Ball joints, some type of recirculating ballitis, tie rods.....
WBraun

climber
Sep 25, 2017 - 05:06pm PT
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.
ruppell

climber
Sep 25, 2017 - 05:21pm PT
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.
Gary

Social climber
Desolation Basin, Calif.
Sep 25, 2017 - 05:23pm PT
Strangely enough, this might be an instance where a multimeter is useless.
Climberdude

Trad climber
Clovis, CA
Sep 25, 2017 - 06:15pm PT
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.
zip

Trad climber
pacific beach, ca
Sep 25, 2017 - 07:12pm PT
At the present time, I have nothing to say that I haven't said many times before.
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Sep 25, 2017 - 07:18pm PT
zip, would you be referring to a fishing parable involving bait?
beerlyman

Social climber
State of Confusion
Sep 25, 2017 - 07:54pm PT
Is this a Chevy?
Happiegrrrl2

Trad climber
Topic Author's Reply - Sep 26, 2017 - 02:32pm PT
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....
tradmanclimbs

Ice climber
Pomfert VT
Sep 26, 2017 - 02:59pm PT
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........
Happiegrrrl2

Trad climber
Topic Author's Reply - Sep 26, 2017 - 03:18pm PT
^ 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.
ontheedgeandscaredtodeath

Social climber
Wilds of New Mexico
Sep 26, 2017 - 03:25pm PT
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.
David Knopp

Trad climber
CA
Sep 26, 2017 - 03:25pm PT
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!
skcreidc

Social climber
SD, CA
Sep 26, 2017 - 04:03pm PT
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.
Messages 1 - 20 of total 71 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
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