'96 INTREPID FRONT END NOISE, HELP PEASE.

Can anyone shed some light on the strange noise I have coming from the front
end driver side "occassionally" on my Intrepid. It's normally first thing
in the morning , particularly when cold as I move the steering wheel back
and forth. After a few minutes on the road it dissapears. It sounds like a
tight bushing I'd guess, but I have no real basis for that assumption, any
help would be gratefully appreciated, thanks.
Paul.

 

More then likey it is the rack mount bushings worn, what you may be hearing
is the rack sliding back and fourth as you turn the wheel, This happens
especially when it is cold. Also check the inner tie rod bushings for wear.

 

Most likely its the steering rack-to-chassis bushings. Early LH vehicles
would make a REALLY loud racket on very cold mornings, and IIRC there
was a TSB to replace the bushings with updated ones. I would have
thought a '96 would be after the update, though, so maybe its just worn
out bushings.