Sticky Steering, if it makes sense?

[Ace]

Alright on my mark If you turn the wheel to either direction while going down the road, the wheel will stick where you let off. Now on my 2 other cars, the steering wheel will atleast go back to normal position if going straight. Could my lower ball joints be seizing up and keeping the wheel from returning or do I have bigger problems on my plate to take care of? The brakes are all fine also

 

[98lincmk7lsc]

This was happening on my 97 when I first got it. It was not taken care of very much at all, but I only paid $900 for it! Anyway, I ended up replacing both sides upper and lower control arms with ball joints, and the sway bar end links, and it still did that after that, so it's probably not your ball joints. It mostly cleared up after I got an alignment. It's not perfect, but it did make a huge difference. I saw the before and after sheet, and it was really out of alignment.
When's the last time you got one done? That could possibly be your problem.

 

[Ace]

Haha I Actually doubt it has been aligned in the last 10 years. I looked up the history of the car and the first owner took great care of it and even put all the repairs down in the owners manual! The second owner drove it into the ground and then I got it for 500 bucks and working from that. I had to put front bags and compressor into it as well as a set of rims but it goes like hell!

I was thinking of getting it aligned to see if that can help any bit!

 

[98lincmk7lsc]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure the guy I bought mine from had never aligned it either. It was really bad.

 

[Ace]

Ill have to talk around and see what I can do. I mean I feel a very slight vibration when driving then it goes away. Any other suggestions while i am at it>?

 

[Ace]

Alright I made some headway! The only slop I can see is in my rack. Do you think if my rack is going back it would cause it to stick?

 

[Lownslowlsc]

Alright I made some headway! The only slop I can see is in my rack. Do you think if my rack is going back it would cause it to stick?

From my research i've narrowed it down to either the rack or ps pump. I bought the car with the problem and have been trying to figure out what cuased it ever since. I really want to get it solved before i take it out for spring.

Check the boot on the shaft that goes into the rack. From what unity has said you might want to grease under the boot were it covers the shaft. It could bind.

I'm also waiting to hear back from lorenzo cause had the same problem aswell.

I had mine aligned the first week after i had 1 bj and strut rod bushing replaced and it did not change the steering at all.


I will probably be doing the greaseing this weekend now that we are getting warmer .. 60+ sat @sun!!!!!!!

 

[Lownslowlsc]

Just heard back from lorenzo. He stated that the rack helped a ton. Guess i'll be replacing it. Hope it works.

 

[LORENZOCHICAGOLSC]

Hey guys, Replace the rack, make sure control arms and ball joints are good as well as the tires and get an alignment....worked for me