Subframe bushing or rack and pinion?

[OhioGuy82]

For some time now my '91 loves to bind in a left hand turn. It creaks and pops suggesting SFB are shot. But then I round a left turn at high and low speeds. It's as if my steering is binding up and getting stuck. It's quite hard to turn the wheel back to the right. I had a new power steering pump replaced about 14k miles ago. My motor mounts have been reinforced so I can count those two out of the equation.

Any ideas on an easy diagnosis?

 

[sho2see]

Have some1 turn the wheel while you peak under the car and see what's up. But if your sfb's need to be replaced I'd definetly replace them then go further to lookin at the problem.

 

[OhioGuy82]

I read where other members have the same issue and it turned out to be SFB. I can feel it at my feet too. I'm having them changed Friday. Hopefully it fixes my issue.

 

[Mrhappytuzi]

Yeah that sounds like the Subframe to me. I had that issue with my 90' couldnt turn left or the wheel would bind up and i would hear a nice clunk and vibration through the floor.

 

[93rev2sev]

A worn rack will also cause the off center sticking...it usually goes away once the car is warmed up though. In my experience, it usually starts at about 130k...you have 350k, so I'm betting it's the SFBs.

 

[TopGunnYFZ]

My SFB bolts were loose in my '90 and it used to pop and creak around turns and if i was crusing in any gear and gave it gas ti would pull like a ****. I finally went under the other day and cranked them tight and its like a brand new car again LOL

Do your SFB's

 

[firebat45]

I just did my SFBs 2 days ago and it made a huge difference in the car's handling. My old bushings had been getting worse almost by the day, and the day before I replaced them, I had my steering bind during a sharp right turn.

Mine would also pull slightly to the right while accelerating, and then pull to the left during deceleration, as the subframe moved around. It was also very jerky whenever you switched from accel to decel, and from a stop.

For the price of new bushings, and the mileage you have, I'd say do them. Even if it doesn't fix your problem it will still improve the car.

 

[TopGunnYFZ]

I just did my SFBs 2 days ago and it made a huge difference in the car's handling. My old bushings had been getting worse almost by the day, and the day before I replaced them, I had my steering bind during a sharp right turn.

Mine would also pull slightly to the right while accelerating, and then pull to the left during deceleration, as the subframe moved around. It was also very jerky whenever you switched from accel to decel, and from a stop.

For the price of new bushings, and the mileage you have, I'd say do them. Even if it doesn't fix your problem it will still improve the car.

Bingo, what a crazy ride eh? LOL I have ASFB's so I just tightened the bolts good to go

 

[Phoenix]

Binding steering wheel = subframe bushings

Simple as that.

 

[OhioGuy82]

I had my rear SFB replaced. All was good until yesterday. I heard the most awful clunk. It looks like the front had backed off about 3/16" I tried to tighten it. The wing nut seems to be spinning inside the body. Is there an access point or anything else I can do to get that nut tight? I need to know pretty quick. The SHO is my DD.

 

[bubba]

subframe.....

 

[OhioGuy82]

Is there an access point inside the body to hold that nut while I tighten it? I know there's one on the passenger side floorboard. I need to know how to get in there and hold that wing nut in place while I tighten the bolt.

 

[mfuld]

If you haven't already had the subframe recall done, you need to drill a hole in your floorpan to get to them. The recall kit I got from shosource.com had directions on where to drill. I def recomend getting the recall kit when you replace the bushings, the wingnuts were substantially bigger than the original ones i had in there.

 

[OhioGuy82]

It's the front bushing closest to the bumper. There's no floor pan there.

 

[Mrhappytuzi]

you might try prying down on the subframe with a pipe or something to maybe get that nut to catch

 

[OhioGuy82]

I replaced the bolt today. Everything is much better. I don't have any steering issues. I am having a lot of creeking now. Doesn't seem to be bushing related, they are all nice and tight. Any ideas?