I have a problem with my steering and I don't know what to do...I've searched and applied lots of advice, but I'm coming up empty...looking for someone to help me out!

Here's the deal:

Back in December, I was getting kind of ambitious with my '02 2.5RS and drove it over some rather rough sand at the beach (actually, I got it stuck...and I kind of had to muscle my way over a small sand dune...) I realize that was stupid.

After that little expedition, the car's handling was noticebly different (its swayed a lot, there was some play in the steering, it felt very uneasy...especially on the highway) So I had it checked and an alignment done. I've had the car's suspension pieces checked 4 times. Everything is fine. The tires have been changed from Perelli Nero Zero M+S to Yokahama Avid V4's (the Perelli's were on the car during the sand incident) The pressure is fine in the Yokahamas (could maybe use a boost, but its not the issue. Its been adjusted many times). When the tires were changed to the Yokahamas, that helped some. Then I installed Whiteline Steering rack bushings, which also helped some. The car feels a lot more sturdy and the uneasiness is basically gone. However, the play in the steering remains and its pretty bad. It almost feels like the wheel has no weight to it and it responds a bit slower. I don't think its the tires because even when the car had the original RE92's it steered like a dream compared to now.

Two things to note: First, the car currently needs an alignment done. Its not awful, but the steering wheel is slightly off center to the right and it pulls a bit to the right. I don't think that could be the entire problem, but perhaps it contributes some. However, when the car was aligned after I drove it over the sand, the car was still sloppy. Second, the steering felt noticely looser after the tires were rotated when they did the alignment the first time. And then, when the Yokahamas were installed, the car felt more stable, but the play in the steering grew worse. And that's where I'm at today, save the Whiteline bushings which did help some. What else could cause steering issues like this when the suspension parts have been checked and are apparently fine? Anyone ever experience this? I can play with my pressure again in the tires, but I can't believe it would drastically effect this. The steering wheel is simply too easy to move, the response is slower, and it just feels like there is little weight in the wheel.....any ideas? I appreciate anyone's help! Thanks!

 

either your rack is walking in the mounts, sand got into the rack and mucked up a joint, or you have a bum tie rod.

 

Thanks for the reply...what do you mean by walking in the mounts and would any of those things be something they would have seen when they checked it before?

 

They could have seen it, but probably would have missed it. I kind of doubt the rack is walking since you probably would have cured it by replacing the mounts (you would have tightened the rack mounts back up correctly) Almost no slop on the rack side = a fair bit of play on the wheel side. Probably sand got into a heim joint in the rack or a tierod and wrecked it.

It would only have to move under a bit of imput force, so when you swapped tires, the grabbier ones can move it easier.

 

So you're saying there's not a whole lot that can be done unless I replace my rack? Or (and I'm betraying how ignorant I am of my own suspension) could they see if a tie rod end was messed up?

 

you could check out the tierods yourself. leave the car off and have a friend turn the steering wheel between about 5 degrees real fast. Look at the joint where the rack connects to the hub. If it looks like its slow to react, it's probably your problem. You'll have to do this on both sides. Beyond that, it might just make more sense to have a mechanic diagnose it. It shouldn't run more than 40 bucks to have them tell you what's wrong.

 

Ok, is that only for the tie rods, or is there a way to check the joints in the rack as well? Thanks for all the info

I've had a mechanic go all over the car and find nothing, unless they just didn't do that little test of having someone look at the rack and the tie rods when they moved the wheel