steering issue (feels loose/ acting odd)

[e_c]

let me first start off with all the things i have replaced:-kyb agx struts w/ eibach springs-z32 inner tie rod w/ spl tie rod ends-spl tension rods v2-camber bolts and new bushings on the sway bars-alignment after all was installed

k... when i first get in the car and start to back out of my space, about 70% of the time, the first time i start to turn the wheel it kinda thumps... like the bushing used to on my tension rod before i replaced it. usually the steering seems fine.. but every once and a while it will feel loose and i will be able to turn the wheel slightly and the car still stays in a straight line... also when im on the freeway or 35+ mph and hit bumps or even some cracks in the road, my wheel will jerk to one side and pull the car a small bit.

let me know if more info is needed and i will think of more things that happenthanks in advance

[cdlong]

condition and size of wheels and tires?did you replace the upper strut mounts when you put the shocks and springs on? does it pull to the same side every time?

[Bosrudorfer]

when i first get in the car and start to back out of my space, about 70% of the time, the first time i start to turn the wheel it kinda thumps..

I have the same thing,

[e_c]

right now i have stock steelies with about 1.5 year old tire (about 10-12k miles)i did not change upper strut mountsit usually pulls to the side opposite of that that i am turning... if i am in a left hand turn it will pull to the right and vice versa... usually, it has pulled to the same way i was turning a few times though

[skydragoness]

Try replacing your strut mounts. They consist of a bearing that spins around and the stock ones get dirt inside and start to bind and you get that 'pop' noise when you pull out of a driveway or over a gutter, etc. Do you balance your tires often? I noticed vague steering when i go too long between wheel-balancing.

[e_c]

are strut mounts and the adjustable camber plates the same thing? if so i might as well upgrade to the plates if they are essentially the same thing... also, is there a specific brand that will work with the agx or do they all fit everything..

also, as far as the wheel balancing is concerned, i havnt had that done since they were put on about 1.5 years ago... how often should i get them ballanced?

thanks again for all the help
Modified by e_c at 10:57 PM 1/19/2006

[Onizuka]

I'd park the car, rotate the steering wheel until it locks, jack the front of the car up and do a shake test on both front wheels. If either wheel moves durring the shake test something is loose and you should stop driving the car on the street until you can fix the problem.

I had popping noises comming from my front suspension and it ended up being the front right tie rod comming loose from the steering rack!

[skydragoness]

I'd park the car, rotate the steering wheel until it locks, jack the front of the car up and do a shake test on both front wheels. If either wheel moves durring the shake test something is loose and you should stop driving the car on the street until you can fix the problem.

I had popping noises comming from my front suspension and it ended up being the front right tie rod comming loose from the steering rack!

Well, I would hope that after an alignment, a loose part would've been found or shown up on the SAI or something. Good idea to get it in the air and shake the front wheels left/right and up/down. Don't want anything tragic to happen!

[e_c]

thanks for the suggestions... i will start on that tomarrow and post back the results..

again.. thanks for the help thus far

[cdlong]

yeah, i went to get an alignment and they told me i had a bad ball joint. they wouldn't do it because the movement would throw off all the measurements.

i vote for the strut mounts.

[e_c]

i put the front end up in the air, all the bolts are tightened and none loose... the only thing that concerns me is that when i locked the wheel... it still gave a small bit of play, and because of that, each wheel would move about 1cm on its turning radius... the movement came from the steering rack and i could see it moving slightly....

how can i test a bad rack?

thanks again for the help

[S14KoukiMonster]

If the edge of your wheel is moving 1cm, that would probably translate to a fraction of that movement where the tie rod threads into the rack.(I assume since i can't see it in person) I assume your car is a 300zx, hence z32? I doubt that it's your rack,if it were it would most likely be leaking, squealing like a beatch, impacted by something and bent or dented ect. I would bet that it's your upper strut mount insulator like other people suggested.(that's what Nissan calls it anyway) I had to replace mine on my 97 kouki. The only time i'd hear it though is when I'd hit the odd small bump in the road.Try jacking up your front end again, this time leave your front wheels unlocked and turn the hub/knuckle from one side to the other and listen for the noise. If you dont hear the noise, try using a floor jack with a swivel top, under the bottom of the strut on the side in question, to put some load on the suspension. I put a rag inbetween so I wouldn't damage my strut. BE CAREFUL NOT TO LIFT THE CAR OFF OF THE JACKSTANDS, you just want to simulate the car's condition to as close to when your driving it and hearing the problem. I also used a mechanic's stethoscope too.

Good luck I'll check this later to see how you made out!

[S14KoukiMonster]

ps- pop and prop your hood when you do this- if it is your strut mount insulator it'll just make it that much easier to listen for.

[e_c]

today i installed new steering rack poly bushings... this has seemed to stop the problem i was having all together, so far...there is still a small jerking side to side of the steering wheel when i am slowing down to a stop light or sign and i use medium or high braking force, but this could be from something else, and i can live with that for now
Modified by e_c at 9:53 AM 2/5/2006