Steering

2004 FORD EXPLORER
141,895 MILES • 6 CYL • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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ROBHEATH34
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
When trying to turn left or right my car knocks and sounds like something’s probably bent. When I try to parallel park and I turn left and right and try to back up the car does not want to move I have to gas it and it backs up really fast.
Aug 29, 2020 at 9:22 AM
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KASEKENNY
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 18,907 POSTS
Have you hit a pothole or something else that could cause something to become bent? These steering components do not bend just by normal wear and tear so something had to have happened to it.

I tend to agree that this could be something bent but it may also be worn out bushings causing the steering rack to move as you are turning or causing other binding.

Let's start with getting a video of the front suspension while you are turning the wheel back and forth so we can hear the noise. Also, I would like to see if we can notice anything moving causing binding.

Here is a what a picture of the steering gear looks like. Let us know what happens or what questions you have. Then if you can post the a video of this then that would be best. Thanks
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Aug 29, 2020 at 10:01 AM
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