steering major issues

[EZ4U2ENVY]

This problem has been goin gon for about 2 months now and its getting worse especially with winter setting in.... this is what happens..

Whenever I'm driving i have this terrible vibration but its not my tires because i just got them balanced. ALso the steering wheel has a hard time movig in either direction like it doesnt want to get out of the center position. The steering also feels like it is popping in and out constantly when im turning or going straight. There is also annoyning rattle that could be the strut or something that affect.. but what im wonder is what could this steering related problem be

This is what im thinking
A) My tie rods
B) Inner tie rods
C) Steering rack
D) Ball joints and struts(and mounts)
E) all the above

I just replaced the drive side ball joint still same problem...

thanx for any help...

 

[projectSHO89]

Me thinks you have more than one problem.

First, the hard steering. Might be the VAPS motor (if so equipped), other wise it's the rack (or both). Does the steering get easier after the system has warmed up?

Second, the popping. Does it occur while the vehicle is at rest and the steering wheel is turned as in a parking lot maneuver? If so, check your tie rod ends as posted here http://www.shoforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=17;t=003912#000001 or the more comprehensive post here: http://www.shoforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=19;t=000738#000009

Thrid, the vibration. Might be several things. Try to localize it to a specific corner of the car, if possible. Have someone drive another car next to yours and watch for any dynamic imbalances of all of the 4 tires. If the tire or wheel is out of balance, you can actually see it while driving down the road.

Localize the rattle. Front, rear, left, or right. We ain't psychic....

Steve
89

 

[EZ4U2ENVY]

First it aint equipped with vaps...

Second i know the tires aint making the shake cuz i also have other 16 rims and they do it to...

third the pop is either stopped or moving...

and the hard steering is hard all the time never gets easier- but its not totally hard but noticably harder than normal

and theres alot of play in the wheel probably more than a inch...

 

[Bizzy]

For the popping sound...also have your subframe bushings checked out. Before mine were changed it made a horrible popping and wrenching sound...but started out as popping only. Just an idea.

 

[EZ4U2ENVY]

Good idea bizzy but i have the aluminum bushings... but now i just took my car out for a spin and i took off real fast from a turn and sorta of a inclne and hit abump and now my steering is like somewhat how it should be- its kinda easier turning and not a bad popping or clunking... but i know its gonnna come back- its never done this before... so if it does come back what could it be- probably inner and outter tie rods.. correct- going to replace those this friday and see the results... i wonder if sdpatt would be so kind to email me his phone number incase i have problems to contact him- sinc ehes the man... thanx guys

 

[Bizzy]

Wanna know what cause the popping/wrenching sound in mine? Wasn't the bushings themselves, but rather the recall kit had one of the bolts installed upside down. Eventually it pulled completely out and left the driver's rear of my subframe hanging. The popping sound, then wrenching sound I heard was the bolt twisting in the hole on the metal. Just to be safe...double check them and make sure they're torqued properly...aluminum bushings or no...I'd hate to see you get in an accident over something so simple. (Also check your inner and outer tie rods though.)

 

[ManySHOs]

Bizzy:
Wanna know what cause the popping/wrenching sound in mine? Wasn't the bushings themselves, but rather the recall kit had one of the bolts installed upside down. Eventually it pulled completely out and left the driver's rear of my subframe hanging. The popping sound, then wrenching sound I heard was the bolt twisting in the hole on the metal. Just to be safe...double check them and make sure they're torqued properly...aluminum bushings or no...I'd hate to see you get in an accident over something so simple. (Also check your inner and outer tie rods though.)

The Al SF bushings also make it harder to torque the Subframe properly as well as hold the torque. its a good idea to check the SF for movement, bolt torque, etc.

Also; looking at the SF recall nuts to ensure that they are correctly oriented is a great idea. One of mine was also upside down.

Ian
93 mtx blue

 

[EZ4U2ENVY]

Mine are pretty good- well guess what.. I replace my inner and outter tie rods- not a hard job at all..

But the problem is still there- even though the steering is now real tight and firm since there new now- but the vibration is there- the wobble is still there and a grinding noise when i turn the wheel- i know my struts are bad and mounts so that would be the grinding noise... but the popping and wobble i have no clue what it is

whats the side effects of a bad steering rack... or a bad pump- its so annoyning having hard steering and popping steering- i will have to check the subframe again but i know its properly tighten and fine but hey ill check it again...

thanx for the help guys but the problem is still there

 

[RStalveyARFF]

did you check the PS fluid level? when it's low it will give you a hard steering/grinding situation. The popping could be your endlinks, that's what was causing my popping. Usually a bad pump will moan with the RPM.

 

[EZ4U2ENVY]

I know the pump doesnt give a bad moan at all... and the fluid is fine but i know that the fluid is little blk which i tried to flush it out and that didnt help at all.. it could be my endlinks but i tried to replace them but the bolt just turns and not the nut- so its like impossible to get off... i will keep trying to replace things to see if i get it..

 

[bensho92]

Its the control Arms

 

[RStalveyARFF]

to get the endlinks off, you need an 18mm (sometimes 19) open ended wrench, something to aid that wrench (I usually use the 19 here), and an 8mm socket on a ratchet, preferably 3/8, that will slide on the end of the endlink. Works every time. Sometimes heat helps on the nut too. BTW, how do they feel? Are the sloppy or very tight?