Steering Issue

[jac100]

I have a '94 I picked up 2 months ago and have an odd steering issue. When I turn the wheel hard to the left (when doing a u-turn) I get a large clanking sound up front. When I turn the wheel to the right I don't get the same amount of turning radius and I also don't have the clanking sound.

Anyone know what I can check to start troubleshooting this?

 

[fourwd1]

If it's 4WD it could be a bad CV joint.
Or it could be that the plastic cap on the steering stops are gone on that side, 2WD or 4WD.

 

[jac100]

4wd

Thanks - it is a 4WD. I'll check for the caps tonight. How can I troubleshoot the CV joint?

 

[turboSR5]

I wouldn't normally associate a clanking sound up front with a CV or a missing turn stop bolt cover. The sound of a missing cover is more of a metal on metal groaning, popping sound (kind of like a CV). Sounds like your turn stop on the right hand side is turned out further than the one on your left. Turn your wheels as far to the left as you can then get under there and see if you are contacting the turn stop bolt to the frame, do the same for the right side. If you want you can add some grease to where these two points contact then see if the sound goes away. You might be able to gain some turn radius on your right by adjusting the stop bolt, be carefull that you don't go too far, especially if you have larger tires.
Turn stop bolt covers can be purchased from partsgeek or other places I'm sure for very cheap.

 

[Getsum]

I have a '94 I picked up 2 months ago and have an odd steering issue. When I turn the wheel hard to the left (when doing a u-turn) I get a large clanking sound up front. When I turn the wheel to the right I don't get the same amount of turning radius and I also don't have the clanking sound.

Anyone know what I can check to start troubleshooting this?

I get the same thing, grease your stops if the plastic is gone(I'll bet it is), it will help but it isn't permanent.