Steering Issues
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Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Washington
Steering Issues
I know this problem has been brought up many times here but I just can't seem to find a similar thread I am going through.
I had my 89' FC GXL (S5) for almost a year and till this very day I have not figured out my power steering issue. Okay my car pulls to the right. Not badly but it pulls. I do all I can to drive straight which I have gotten used to. I would always inspect the car every time I go out and smoke. Giving it like 3-5 times a day lol. I realize that my front driver side wheel is sitting lower then the rest. I know in the past my old tires had uneven wear on them. It would wear more on the inner side of the tire a whole lot then the outer half of the tire. So I was thinking maybe the shocks were bad. Checked it and it seem fine to me.
At the same time my mechanic says its my steering rack. He had noticed I had worn bushings. I've noticed when he budged the rack while the car was jacked up, it would have a little play to it. So yeah the steering rack moves back and forth very little..not a whole lot but a little. Is that a bad thing? Cause he says it is and should not have no play. Hmmm I don't even know what to even look for. Tire rods, control arms, or rack and pinion???? But all I know is the issue is on that part of the wheel or at least whats causing the car to pull to the right.
Another thing I have noticed driving in high speeds my car does rumble quite a bit. I feel all the commotion on on that side of the wheel. Should I not driver the car until I get this resolved? I wish I had pictures to show but do not have any at the moment.
Just to narrow some things down. The car has damage around the area. Like the fender, paint and part of the front bumper causing one of the head lights to be replaced, which as been done. Fog light (not yet). Signal light dimming out. So anyways you get the picture.
I will try my best to upload pics at the meantime. I tried my best trying to explain all this. Thanks for your guys time and let me know if something is not clear.
I had my 89' FC GXL (S5) for almost a year and till this very day I have not figured out my power steering issue. Okay my car pulls to the right. Not badly but it pulls. I do all I can to drive straight which I have gotten used to. I would always inspect the car every time I go out and smoke. Giving it like 3-5 times a day lol. I realize that my front driver side wheel is sitting lower then the rest. I know in the past my old tires had uneven wear on them. It would wear more on the inner side of the tire a whole lot then the outer half of the tire. So I was thinking maybe the shocks were bad. Checked it and it seem fine to me.
At the same time my mechanic says its my steering rack. He had noticed I had worn bushings. I've noticed when he budged the rack while the car was jacked up, it would have a little play to it. So yeah the steering rack moves back and forth very little..not a whole lot but a little. Is that a bad thing? Cause he says it is and should not have no play. Hmmm I don't even know what to even look for. Tire rods, control arms, or rack and pinion???? But all I know is the issue is on that part of the wheel or at least whats causing the car to pull to the right.
Another thing I have noticed driving in high speeds my car does rumble quite a bit. I feel all the commotion on on that side of the wheel. Should I not driver the car until I get this resolved? I wish I had pictures to show but do not have any at the moment.
Just to narrow some things down. The car has damage around the area. Like the fender, paint and part of the front bumper causing one of the head lights to be replaced, which as been done. Fog light (not yet). Signal light dimming out. So anyways you get the picture.
I will try my best to upload pics at the meantime. I tried my best trying to explain all this. Thanks for your guys time and let me know if something is not clear.
Lift the front and grab the front wheels, shaking them both top/bottom and side to side. If you can grab the wheel top/bottom and it wiggles, it's probably either bad or loose wheel bearings. Side to side is either inner or outer tie rods, or as your tech said, rack bushings. Now grab a large prying tool and lift up on the wheels while you or a buddy watches the ball joints. If the knuckle moves up before the control arm, you've got bad ball joints.
Balance your tires, get it aligned. You CAN NOT align a vehicle with loose steering/suspension components, so that needs to get fixed first.
Balance your tires, get it aligned. You CAN NOT align a vehicle with loose steering/suspension components, so that needs to get fixed first.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Japanabama
You're asking why your car is pulling and you haven't even gotten an alignment?
Go get one. As long as nothing is loose.
Even if the toe isn't off, uneven camber will make the car pull to one side.
Always take a mechanic's word with a grain of salt if you think there's a simpler cause.
An alignment can be thrown off easily just by hitting a wheel on something hard, so body damage will throw it off even easier.
Go get one. As long as nothing is loose.
Even if the toe isn't off, uneven camber will make the car pull to one side.
Always take a mechanic's word with a grain of salt if you think there's a simpler cause.
An alignment can be thrown off easily just by hitting a wheel on something hard, so body damage will throw it off even easier.
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
rumbling noises could be a bad wheel bearing, or tire. for a pull you want to rotate the tires, if the pull changes it was the tire, if it stays its something on the car.
it sounds like there are a few things that need attention.
it sounds like there are a few things that need attention.
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Smiths Falls.(near Ottawa!.Mapquest IT!)
QUOTE:
At the same time my mechanic says its my steering rack. He had noticed I had worn bushings. I've noticed when he budged the rack while the car was jacked up, it would have a little play to it. So yeah the steering rack moves back and forth very little..not a whole lot but a little. Is that a bad thing? Cause he says it is and should not have no play. Hmmm I don't even know what to even look for. Tire rods, control arms, or rack and pinion???? But all I know is the issue is on that part of the wheel or at least whats causing the car to pull to the right.
>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Get this fixed.Order some steering rack bushings.your Rack should be secured TIGHT to the frame,like a Solid piece of the car.If it moves then it cause play,and that causes wear,and alignment problems.
At the same time my mechanic says its my steering rack. He had noticed I had worn bushings. I've noticed when he budged the rack while the car was jacked up, it would have a little play to it. So yeah the steering rack moves back and forth very little..not a whole lot but a little. Is that a bad thing? Cause he says it is and should not have no play. Hmmm I don't even know what to even look for. Tire rods, control arms, or rack and pinion???? But all I know is the issue is on that part of the wheel or at least whats causing the car to pull to the right.
>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Get this fixed.Order some steering rack bushings.your Rack should be secured TIGHT to the frame,like a Solid piece of the car.If it moves then it cause play,and that causes wear,and alignment problems.
Thread Starter
Full Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 80
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From: Washington
OKay I will do the shaking test on the wheels. At the same time YES I will take it to the alignment shop this weekend. I do not know why I have not done that when I first got the car. I thank you guys for the help and ideas. I will be back soon.
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