Weirdest problem ever

[PalmerWMD]

Lately I noticed a couple of times when my steering wheel gets off center versus the wheel positoions.

Especially when I turn under load and start out with the wheel straight when I am going straight it's as much as 30 degrees off center and stays there and react to steering input normally except the steering wheel looks like it s way off from straight.

Weird enough when I brake it straightens out and the steering wheel points staright ahead again, all along the tires have been straight.It has happened twice now the first time I thought it was an illusion due to crowned raod.

On a side note I have uneven wear on front tires which I attbuted to the mediocre aligments I been getting ( last alignment 1500 hiway miles ago).

Fred..

[DAEDALUS]

Fred, check your steering rack bushings. How old are your upper links?

[PalmerWMD]

Upper links are kinda newer and are the adjustable Stillen kind.

It's really weird driving the steering wheel is off a full 25-30 degrees like I am in a turn and wheel are still straight and when I brake, the steering wheel straightened back out, while the tires were pointing ahead, all along.

I may have Dan help me with the rack bushings but cant get a hold of him lost his #.

Fred..

[AZhitman]

Sound like a tie rod perhaps?

Something's slipping and remaining out of whack...

[elwesso]

They probably didnt tighten things up when they did the "medocre" alignments.....

[Pat S]

Had the same problem. It turned out to be the power steering rack bushings. They split and allow the rack to move from side to side.Will be installing your transmission this week. Will let you know the out come.Pat

[PalmerWMD]

Thanks Pat!

Is there a way to check this w/o remiving rack?

Dan ( forecast) is thinking maybe the HICAS is involved.I think I have 2 directions to investigate now, HICAS and rack bushings.

Afirestone guy did a thourough check with car on rack and thought everything up front rack and stuff, looked solid didnt move he also said the HICAS was leaking at rear.

Would a problem such as the one you mention be catchable from under the car or does the rack need to come out to catch diagnose with a hi degree of confidence?

Fred..

[Pat S]

First, I would place the front of the car on jack stands. Then with a helper, observe the rack from below as the steering wheel is moved back and forth. If the bushings are bad, you should be able to see the rack itself move. Pat

[DAEDALUS]

If your rack has an even coating of dust or grit on it (as most do), it should be visually obvious if the rack is sliding around. The dirt would looked smeared right next to the bushings.

[PalmerWMD]

had my rack bushings replaced.tech says rack and every thing looked real good (as did previous tech).I thought I had the problem fixed.

On the first real cold day problem returns.

Fred..

[Q45tech]

Rack pinion preload adjustment ......... steering wheel gets stiff in cold weather thick ATF [ps fluid] .....Mobil 1 in system?].Careful use tiny adjustments ..........1/4 of a turn 90 degrees is a serious amount. Measure rack forces per FSM.

Sticky kingpin or KP bearings?

[Q451990]

Fred,

Does the steering ever feel "notchy" or hard to turn? If so check the u-joint coupling that goes between the rack and steering column. I had this on "Q1" and it turned out that one side was frozen. Apparently after the car warmed (precat 4" away) it would looen up some. The guys at T3 had never heard of one going bad, but mine was completely frozen on one side.

Heath

[PalmerWMD]

Heath:no never feels notchy..

Fred..

[PalmerWMD]

Dennis:

2 seperate shop have checked rack and pronounced it "solid".

I'll let the one place know about possible kingpins/kingpin bearings.

Fred...