Steering squeaking and other problems

[david-b]

Firstly, when I turn the wheel any direction, it squeaks, like almost metal on metal squeaking. Almost sounds like something needs WD-40. I don't see anything rubbing, and didn't have someone else around to turn the wheel while I was in the engine bay. It does it while moving or not. Any ideas? And I don't have PS, so it's not leaking unless something got inside the reservoir, but it doesn't sound like that.

The steering itself has been kinda sucky. When I'm driving and go to shift, the steering wheel will shake back and forth very quickly a couple times. It's when I let go of the clutch all the way. Any ideas there? I have a feeling that this problem and the one above may be related.

Also getting a popping now from the passenger wheel well. Guessing a joint somewhere. I've had the control arms replaced and resealed, and the inner and outer tie rods replaced since I bought the car, so I don't know what else that can be.

Alignment sucks BTW... just thought I should throw that in but it's been like that forever.

I'm going to pick the car up this weekend and see what I can find. Then I'll probably take a day off and take the car in. Anyone have problems like the above?

 

[ClevelandDSM]

When I'm driving and go to shift, the steering wheel will shake back and forth very quickly a couple times. It's when I let go of the clutch all the way. Any ideas there? I have a feeling that this problem and the one above may be related.

Alignment sucks BTW... just thought I should throw that in but it's been like that forever.

Sounds like you need to jack up your corners and check for bad balljoints \ tie rods(ends) Wiggle the tire up and down, then left to right. Make sure you jack is VERY stable just for safety.

Take some ruler less measurements on the ground, put fingers behind and in front of the tire and see how many it takes on both sides. If it takes 3 fingers in front of the left wheel and 5 on the other side, it should explain allot to you. Stand on the side and look down the body to see if a tire is leaning in\out.

Other then that, riding on a bad suspension is pretty dangerous. Dont need your balljoint going out and your axel falling out

 

[david-b]

Sounds like you need to jack up your corners and check for bad balljoints \ tie rods(ends) Wiggle the tire up and down, then left to right. Make sure you jack is VERY stable just for safety.

Take some ruler less measurements on the ground, put fingers behind and in front of the tire and see how many it takes on both sides. If it takes 3 fingers in front of the left wheel and 5 on the other side, it should explain allot to you. Stand on the side and look down the body to see if a tire is leaning in\out.

Other then that, riding on a bad suspension is pretty dangerous. Dont need your balljoint going out and your axel falling out

That's what I was going to do on Saturday. Supposed to be in the 60s so little heat wave . Tires aren't leaning in/out... checked that already.

Another question. I've been pushing the car just a little bit lately and it seems like the traction kind of took a shit. The other day I was going around a car and boosted in 1st gear while turning. When I got to the next lane and turned the wheel back, it kept going straight. I didn't think much of it but I'm thinking it's all related. I'm thinking I may just pick up a new rack and pinion unit (mine rusted and leaked) and just taking it to my suspension shop and getting it installed too with whatever other problem there is.

I've broken 2 axles on other cars. Definitely not fun.

 

[bullettdsm]

The other day I was going around a car and boosted in 1st gear while turning. When I got to the next lane and turned the wheel back, it kept going straight. I didn't think much of it

For real ?

Um, do NOT drive your car anymore. Get it up on a rack at a reputable suspension place and have that checked out. If that happens and you don't think much of it, I have definite concerns.

MB

 

[david-b]

For real ?

Um, do NOT drive your car anymore. Get it up on a rack at a reputable suspension place and have that checked out. If that happens and you don't think much of it, I have definite concerns.

MB

No no not like that. I didn't think much of it because the road was a little torn up (downtown Chicago with road construction) so there was loose gravel in places and dusty. And my tires are pretty generic and about 2 years old so they don't grab the best. I "didn't think much of it" because of all the conditions that could have caused that.

Jacked the car up this weekend and there's some play in the passenger side wheel. Not bad, but still moves. So the car is pretty much staying off the road until I take it in.

 

[vanilla gorilla]

Where is the play at in the wheel?
I can relate, I just replaced a driver side wheel bearing, and tie rod ends on my civic. Then I went and got it aligned. And when I say went and got it aligned, I mean I got the car up on jack stands in the driveway and pulled out my tape measurer, .

And about the turning the wheel and going straight....any FWD with power will do that....thats why FWDs suck.

Do I know you BTW??

 

[david-b]

Where is the play at in the wheel?
I can relate, I just replaced a driver side wheel bearing, and tie rod ends on my civic. Then I went and got it aligned. And when I say went and got it aligned, I mean I got the car up on jack stands in the driveway and pulled out my tape measurer, .

And about the turning the wheel and going straight....any FWD with power will do that....thats why FWDs suck.

Do I know you BTW??

Haha... ya you do.

When jacked up and grab the wheel, it moved side to side about 1/2"

Car's not moving until it goes to the shop now since I have a new rack and pinion coming in and just getting all the work I need done at once. So it's in storage until then. Although I may move it tonight for a beer run.

In conclusion...
Took to shop and both lower ball joints on the passenger side were gone. Wheel bearing is showing it's age but still in good shape yet. Got the control arms replaced and R&P installed. Riding a lot better now with no noise.