steering is jacked; w/ picture

[fbird18]

The last couple days while turning at low speeds, when the wheel gets back to straight, it felt like something is loose. After that though, it's tight. Last night the wheel sat straight, this morning I noticed that it is cocked to the left a little. Any idea what would cause this? I have not hit any big bumps or anything. I was just in there replacing the ball joints and hubs, nothing seemed loose. I just don't know what would cause this. Here is a picture of my steering wheel, I'm going in a straight line. Any thoughts? Please help, I'm kinda worried that something bad is going to happen soon.

 

[pektel]

Can doing only ball joints or hubs throw it out of alignment?

 

[rickztahone]

maybe an alignment is in order?

 

[jk52781]

Hey Nic, let me know the exit you want to meet at tomorrow morning as we go up to Hinckley. I sent you an email earlier in the week maybe you did not get it or something.

And Pete we will see you tomorrow.

 

[pektel]

Yep... I was actually going to ask if it was still on. But this answers my question. I'm taking a half day off of work to clean up the car a little bit today. Is that restaurant right on 35?

 

[jk52781]

Yae Tobies is off the 35 Hinckley exit. you should see signs for it along the highway. Man I cannot believe you and Nic have not been there. Great place to eat. I think we will have great conversations especially about this b*tch thread of yours.

 

[fbird18]

John - I did get your email, just haven't had time to respond. I'm not sure of the exit just yet. I'll find out though.

I doubt its an alignment issue. It's not a consistant thing. A little here and there. It'll feel loose for a second and then be tight. I dont get it.

 

[97stscaddy]

Might want to make sure the steering column is bolted in place really tight where it connects to the steering rack. There's a thing that looks kinda like a U joint down there between the firewall and the rack

 

[fbird18]

Might want to make sure the steering column is bolted in place really tight where it connects to the steering rack. There's a thing that looks kinda like a U joint down there between the firewall and the rack

Is this the bolt you are refering to?

 

[97stscaddy]

That would be the one, yes.

There could be one more joint like that inside the car, not sure, but it would be worth checking out.

Id say what you need to do is get someone to turn the wheel back and forth a few inches at a time while you watch the components in the steering / suspension, for anything that moves but isn't supposed to.

 

[mharrison]

A bad rack & pinion can cause the symptoms as well.

 

[fbird18]

Update

I did figure out what was wrong. Luckily it wasnt the rack, that would be expensive. It was only the nut on the lower ball joint coming off . I replaced both lower ball joints with the euromarque ones. I replaced one side and re-used the original nut with the built in washer on that one. The other side, I decided to use the new nut without a built in washer that came with the new ball joint. I used loctite on both, and less than a week later the new nut had spun itself halfway down the threads! Talk about scarey. I don't even want to think about what would've happened if it came off on the highway. Bad accident I'm sure.

So to those who are putting in the replacement Euromarque Ball Joints, word of caution, I would re-use the original nuts if they are in good enough condition.

 

[NYC LS8]

Damn dude, that's crazy. Glad you got it figured out before you wiped out.

 

[daves2000ls]

I did figure out what was wrong. Luckily it wasnt the rack, that would be expensive. It was only the nut on the lower ball joint coming off . I replaced both lower ball joints with the euromarque ones. I replaced one side and re-used the original nut with the built in washer on that one. The other side, I decided to use the new nut without a built in washer that came with the new ball joint. I used loctite on both, and less than a week later the new nut had spun itself halfway down the threads! Talk about scarey. I don't even want to think about what would've happened if it came off on the highway. Bad accident I'm sure.

So to those who are putting in the replacement Euromarque Ball Joints, word of caution, I would re-use the original nuts if they are in good enough condition.

Thats exactly what happened on my fiancee's integra. 70 mph on I-40, ended up in the median facing the opposite way she was going. Oh, and when we called the tow truck they towed the wrong car. Ironically it was the right car though, silver integra coupe. They eventually got the right one.