Question about making turns?

[panthermike]

When I make a turn the wheel does not automatically turn back to straighten out? Is this normal for our cars or is something wrong with my car?

 

[CobraStar_LS8]

does it straighten up with a little push?

 

[panthermike]

Hmmm, I'll have to observe when I drive home tonight.

 

[unity]

Two things that are probably causing it. Either a bad alignment or bad ball joint. Those are the two most common for this. If you getting any audible creaking or vibrations in the steering wheel then your looking at ball joint and really should not drive it.

One thing, on my car, that I found was the boot that seals the rack where the column enters has dried up. It was acting like a jam and making steering difficult.

 

[panthermike]

Two things that are probably causing it. Either a bad alignment or bad ball joint. Those are the two most common for this. If you getting any audible creaking or vibrations in the steering wheel then your looking at ball joint and really should not drive it.

One thing, on my car, that I found was the boot that seals the rack where the column enters has dried up. It was acting like a jam and making steering difficult.

Steering is quite easy but it doesn't return like most cars. BTW, no noises or anything.

 

[SPSully]

wtf? since when do steering wheels automatically go back? I want that mod on my car!!!

 

[shiryu0]

sounds like the caster is way off...........

 

[kustomizingkid]

Mine comes back to center very nicely... definitely sounds like a bad joint or other binding component in the suspension.

 

[panthermike]

wtf? since when do steering wheels automatically go back? I want that mod on my car!!!

Not all the way, but it should start turning back to center.

 

[panthermike]

I'm thinking I'll take it to my mechanic to check it out, he doesn't charge anything to take a look.

 

[Moes8]

yes it should return mostly on its own, not as fast a say a frint wheel drive car,but it should return,Caster is what makes a wheel want to straighten itself out,and our cars,and most cars,have some caster built in.

 

[Green Machine]

Mine does exactly the same thing. wont center itself. 136K miles.
all the experts tell me not to drive it and to replace the balljoints.
as long as im doing that, ill be replacing Upper and lower C/A's, tie rod ends, and bushings. then no worries.