things that go bump in the night

[hickory]

Computer meltdown, bck up to speed. Couple of questions. (5 t4r 4 cyl std. The steel wheels are always tough to remove, have to use a sledge hammer to loosen up the wheel before it loosens up, everytime! There is also a rattle from the front end at the slightest bump with new shocks, and when the wheels are locked in a turn there is a grinding noise when moving from the front end, Any ideas to these queries?
Thanks

 

[pat161]

Wheels being tough to remove is normal, though when I had the steels on my 00 they never gave me a problem, it was when I got alloys they satrted sticking. I believe the back of the rim rusts a bit and fuses itself on, a couple taps with a sledge hammer usually knocks it loose. As for the front end noise on my 93 pickup the steering stops used to go out constantly, then you'd get a grinding noise at full turn. I had them replaced once under warranty then just lived with it as no harm is being done. As for the rattlewith new shocks I'd need more infor to make any kind of guess, but certainly go back through and make sure everything is torqued properly.

 

[hickory]

bump in the night

Thanks I'll check the sterring stops. The rattling noise was there before I put the new shocks on. There is so much stuff that could be making this noise I'll have to find the time to look more deeply

 

[Kamakura Kid]

I always use anti-seize on the lugnuts. Seems to help with taking the wheels off. But you folks' problem seems to be that after you take the lugnuts off, the wheel still sticks to the hub. Maybe some antiseize on the back side of the wheels would help, especially around the studs where the pressure is greatest?

 

[hickory]

bump in the night

Ahah!. Wheel bearings are shot and the bushings for the cv shaft (steering knuckle) are also bad. Started to replace today, upper ball joint bolt snapped, I guess I need a new one anyways. Lots of the bolts are super tight. That is what you get for living in salt country.