Hey guys and gals, have a steering issue i've been wrestling with for a bit and thought someone here might be able to shed some light on the issue. Also i did an extensive search on the board before posting.
When I am driving down the road at any speed I feel through my steering wheel the car pulling to one side then the other. Very similar to when you hit a puddle on one side and the car kinda pulls that way. Whenever I'm on the roade and there is a slight groove in the road the car will pull that way. It will pull left or right, it's not picky. When going over real bumpy roads the wheel shakes in my hand, if there is a decent bump the steering wheel wants to jerk out of my hands. When i put the car on jackstand and bring it down the issue lessons. There is no looseness in the steering although i've notice that sometimes the steering wheel is straight with the wheels and at other times a bit off. Performed the test where one side of the car is up the other down, no play in the steering. no leaks or low fluids. Belts are new and not too tight or loose. Steering is very light, not hard. The inner and outer tie rods are ok, no broken boots. Also feels like i turn the wheel more to get the tires to turn if that makes any sense. The car has about 85k on it.
The car is lowered, has a camber kit, was aligned. Once the issue started, i replaced the tires, had them balanced, replaced the lower balljoints, front struts, made sure everything was secure nothing broken or loose. Still the issue continues. Tues I am getting the wheels realigned to see if maybe it got out of wack.
Anyone at all come across this issue or have some way of testing other things to pinpoint the issue? Any suggestions will be appreciated. If the allignment doesn't do the trick i will most likely replace the rack.
#23336, "RE: steering issue (little long)" In response to Reply # 0
I had a similar issue, but no wheel jerkyness. It was the alignment man half assing the alignment. A computer software gave him the specs for camber and caster for a 96 with 16" wheels, but nothing for toe. He didn't adjust toe at all. Going to another alignment shop sloved my problem. Good luck.
#23340, "RE: steering issue (little long)" In response to Reply # 1 Apr-05-04 04:42 AM by Caribeno
Thanks for the advise bro. Plan on going tomorrow morning to get another alignment. Hoping that will fix all the problem, but i have my reservations. Anymore input by anyone would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again.
#23341, "RE: steering issue (little long)" In response to Reply # 2
its probably alignment, or the fact that when you lower a car like these you seriously fuck with suspension geometry. even if its aligned,etc.. its still different suspension geometry.
#23347, "RE: steering issue (little long)" In response to Reply # 3
For some reason I don't think an alignment will do the trick but i'm really hoping it does. Just feels like there is something else wrong. I've never had a rack go out on me but i would think steering would be hard and there would be some sort of leak somewhere if the seals inside were messed up. There is none of that. I've driven cars with loose steering and bad alignments, never felt like my car feels now. Again i hope a simple alignment will do the trick but, if not, the rack is the only other thing i can think to change. The car has been lowered for a while and it was aligned for a while as well, this issue just sprung up one day while driving in the rain, now it's stayed. Feels like driving in the rain all the time. It sucks but hopefully once it's fixed my experience will help someone else.
#23972, "RE: steering issue (little long)" In response to Reply # 4
Ok people I have an update on the issue I've been having. Since last I posted i've replaced the lower tie rod ends and had the car re-aligned and the issue still persist. Really don't know what else it could be other than the rack itself or the inner tie rods.
Has anyone on the board properly diagnosed issues with inner tie rods and/or rack? What were some of the symptons, what was the car doing or not doing? Any and all help would be useful. Right now i'm at my wits end. I've checked everything connected to the steering and suspension of the car including all motor mounts. Thanks in advance.
#23975, "RE: steering issue (little long)" In response to Reply # 5 May-22-04 09:07 PM by BuckNutty
ummm...how are your motor mounts?? I, with my solid front and ES rear insert, experience alot of vibration...Also, a groove in the road will throw your car off anyway. Perhapse you are being a tad too paranoid about it?? I know it happens to me, or anyone with alot of cash into their ride.
Its really hard to diagnose suspenion/vibration issues via the web...you kinda have to be there to fell what the issue(s) is(are)
#23978, "RE: steering issue (little long)" In response to Reply # 6
This is beyond vibration. I do have the solid motor mount, the rest are intact. Through the steering wheel it feels like someone else has a steering wheel and is trying to turn the car left or right. I drove my friends 2gnt with same set up and it's way different than mine. I've been told i'm paranoid, but this is a real issue. If anyone has diagnosed bad inner tie rods, what was the car doing or not doing? it would help pinpoint the issue or eliminate other possibilities. thanks again in advance.
#23997, "RE: steering issue (little long)" In response to Reply # 7
Well the issue sounds dead on to be alignment...how secure do you feel about the competancy of the shop doing the alignment? Out of all the Rack and pinions i have replaced (was a mechanic) most of the time they were due to leaks or very hard steering. The rack and pinion only works on a lower pressure from the pump...it cant jerk the wheel from you....there is no way possible. For the pulling you can check your brakes...a hung up caliper can cause the pulling.
Are you getting a 4 wheel alignment? That could cause your issues as well!
Terry
96 Eagle talon ESI Star Stage II - Boost/oil/EGT gauges
#24001, "RE: steering issue (little long)" In response to Reply # 8
The shop I just got the car re-aligned at is the preffered shop of all sport compacts around my whole area. They are the only shop that will even deal with lowered cars. The shop has a real good reputation for it's work, been around for years. This is the second alignment.
This issue is hard to discribe, you just have to experience it. The steering wheel is not so much jerked out of my hand, I can feel pressure through the steering wheel either right or left depending on the road. Not binding brakes cause it wants to go right or left. Also if i'm braking and say there is an imperfection on the road depending if right or left front tire hits it, the car might jerk in that direction. Like i said it's just real hard to describe it in a way that makes sense.
For those that have had to replace their inner tie rods, what was going on with the car that caused you to replace them? what do bad inner tie rods feel like when driving, how do you diagnose them? How about a bad power steering pump? The steering feels real light, not hard or anything. By the time i find what the issue is the complete front end of my car might be replaced..heheh
#24003, "RE: steering issue (little long)" In response to Reply # 9
everytime you talk about a problem you talk about imperfections in the road...i say its mostly in yer head dood. Imperfections, puddles, dead animals...they will all make your car handle erratically at times. Is it bad enough where you are gonna crash?? Is the steering wheel moving like half a turn when you hit them?? Or do you jus "feel" it. You will, naturally, get feedback in teh wheel from the road. Just my $0.02 USD dood. I think you are all set though
