steering "bounce"

[redshoman]

driving my "new" 93 ATX home the 330 miles to my house I drove on lots of interstate... I noticed that on turns under.. say 60 mph or less the steering wheel "bounces". In that is moves about 2" left to right... not the colomn moving, but the wheel turning left to right.. like slolomning really really little cones.. Has clean full P/S fluid. I know that some have had issue with VAPS valves.. Is this the symptom? if not.. any leads???

 

[hawkeye18]

generally when your steering does that, your strut mount bearings are at fault. Mine did the exact same thing you're describing until I replaced mine. The strut bearings are between the strut mount and spring. Unfortunately, replacing them means you not only have to remove the strut assembly from the vehicle but disassemble it to replace them.

If you choose to do so, replacement of the mounts themselves is highly recommended since you're there already. i would recommend renting a set of strut spring compressors (the ones that hook on the outside).

Or, you can just live with it. At least you know what it is.

 

[rubydist]

The other common cause for this is that the rack is bad - if the sensor in the rack that detects steering effort is bad, or if the boost stepper motor is bad, the steering wheel in a turn at speed will be 'notchy' or tend to wobble back and forth somewhat. (My red 94 has this situation and its not the strut bearings.)

 

[Janice]

I am having a similar problem with mine. I also have a vibration, pretty much at all speeds and my alignment is good. It also seems to do the pulling or grabbing to the right. This problem didn't start until after my nephew did my wheel bearing. I have been thinking of calling the front end guy I know to have him check it out, guess I best do that. I am hoping it is a simple fix or at least something I can wait on until next year.

 

[IM Buddy8]

Steering rack.. Changed it when I changed my subframe. No fun at all lining that thing up putting the new one into the shaft.. I woudln't do it unless u have another reason to drop the subframe.

 

[SHOspazz92]

I'd also take a look at your wheel bearings. Ashley's car has a little slop in her steering rack. It does what you are describing but not to that extent. However, When we had a bad LF Wheel bearing the car was a disaster when takiing long sweeping corners or just switching lanes (Where the Camber of the road would change directions).

-Sam