I took my 83 GS in for an alignment. I was told the passenger side strut was bent and had to be replaced. The steering wheel would sit to the left and sometimes it would straighten up. The replaced strut assembly put the wheel back in the proper position, but it has inches of play to the left. I replaced the idler arm on the passenger side, as well. I can't find anything bent or loose and I'm getting frustrated. I have done numerous searches and have yet to encounter a solution to my problem. I have gone through 3 of my 4 tires from my spare set. argghhhh! btw...I was hit on the driver's side of the car and that created this problem. I hear a knock that sounds like it's coming from the driver's side when I am driving on the dirt road that I live on. The shop could not reproduce the sound and therefore, didn't know what I was talking about. Any suggestions will be appreciated!

 

Did they inspect the driverside strut tower mounting plate?

 

I really don't know about that one. How would that be checked? I know they checked the ball joints and such. That's how they determined the idler arm and strut were bad. btw...sorry I misspelled steering!

 

The upper strut mounting plate is encased in rubber. That rubber mount may have separated due to the impact on that side of the vehicle. Just pop the hood and see if you can see if the rubber portion is cracked all the way around. Then bounce the vehicle up and down on that side and see if the strut mounting comes apart.

 

Awesome! I will check that as soon as I get off work. They had the car on a rack so I doubt they checked that. Thinking of where the klunking is coming from that would make perfect sense. I thought it might have been that bearing but it seems smooth. Would that cause the steering to wander to the left, as well as create the noise?

 

That is my best guess estimate at this time.:-)

It still could be other things. Their could be an internal problem with the steering gear box. May be steering or suspension related that they did not find also.

 

Thank you for your help! At least now I have another place to look. I'll let you know what I find...

 

Any chance that the control arm was bent? Also, take a really good look at your tie rod ends. They are pretty cheap, and wear out fairly quickly. So if they haven't been replaced in the last couple of years you are probably due (www.rockauto.com).

If all else checks out, and you still have play in the steering, then read this:

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...steering+grind and pay special attention to my post in there. Good luck.