Uncommanded divation in the steering with aded/reduced power

[wmclawson]

Hi all,

Love my new (to me) 1996 Infinity I30T... that is until today. I had the crap scared out of me when I was making a left merging turn onto the freeway and the car derailed on me and just about took out the guy next to me. Let me explain... I am at a stop light...the light turns green and I let the clutch out and am making a left merging turn onto the on-ramp to the freeway at about 35 mph. The steering wheel is turned about 1/4 to 1/2 turn and as I let off the gas and push in the clutch to shift into 2nd, the car automatically divates back strait as opposed to holding the turn. I shift into 2nd and let out the clutch and it jerks back to the steering wheel position which is now over corrected to the left. I managed to get the car home but it happened one more time but not as bad and at a slower speed (about 25 mph). The car appears to jerk to one side when power is reduced to shift and then jerk to the opposite side when power is added back in. It has only happened while in a left turn or when comig out of a left turn. Otherwise the steering seems to be responsive and the handles fine.

Please help! What could this be?

Thanks

Clay
Modified by wmclawson at 10:52 PM 9/12/2008

[Q45tech]

When was the suspension and steering rack mounts totally rebuilt to replace everything rubber isolated. Rubber has a useful life of 10 years shocks last 4 years.

Every used car needs $3,000 [some need $10,000] of rehab why they are offered for sale.Buying a 13 year old car is just buying the opportunity to do all the repairs the previous owners skipped.

[Q45tech]

When was the suspension and steering rack mounts totally rebuilt to replace everything rubber isolated. Rubber has a useful life of 10 years shocks last 4 years.

Every used car needs $3,000 [some need $10,000] of rehab why they are offered for sale. To restore to 100% of brand new operating condition.Buying a 13 year old car is just buying the opportunity to do all the repairs the previous owners skipped.

[canucklehead]

I think you need to get it up on a hoist and have a good look at the front end suspension/steering components. Perhaps a tie rod or ball joint is gone/pooping in & out, and you temporarily lose direction of wheel when it is most under stress.

my sister in law lent us her '96 T-bird for a couple of hours. it was for sale. they had a bad squeak that they tried to hide with grease. we just came off a freeway and drove 1 mile, then lost steering at 40MPH. Luckily limped to the side of the road to discover the balljoint had completely pulled out of the socket. It got fixed that day, by me. I couldn't sell someone something I knew had that kind of safety issue. at least tell the person, and that the price reflects the condition.

[wmclawson]

Thanks for the info. I will ge it up on the stands and start with the suspension/drive/steering assemblies.

Clay