steering problem.

[bl1tzk1213g]

I got into a car accident awhile ago. I left it in a local shop (they do alignments and stuff) they informed me that i bent the lower control arm and tie rod end on my front left wheel (driver). It kinda looked like this / | The right wheel is straight and left one facing right. I got the lower control arm and tie rod end replaced and It's back to normal. Now the problem is, i could turn the steering wheel 1 and 1/4 (from center) to the right without any problems but i could only turn 1 full rotation to the left and it feels like there is something stuck in there. Also everytime after I back up while turning the wheels all the way to the left I couldn't turn the wheel back to the right, it's just stuck there unless I start going forward then it just kinda gives in like having the curb removed when u park to close to the curb. I was thinking it could probably be something with the power steering since the impact was on the driver side fender. Any ideas? Oh one last thing, if I turn the wheel to the right 1 full turn is it supposed to turn the rest (last 1/4) byitself? Because my does that, if I turn right hard enough and I let go, it will continue turning. Well sorry for the long post. Hope I could find a way to fix this, I dont want to bring it to Satan

 

[wret]

It sounds to me like you damaged your rack. Some pretty serious bucks at the dealer but some members have used rebuilt racks, that are not that expensive, from parts stores.

 

[ocdiddy02]

its gotta be the rack you messed up. i had a problem similar to that and i got some used parts from a local junkyard to fix it uup and i havent had any problems since then...it was cheaper to fix then i thought it was going to be.

 

[bl1tzk1213g]

Do you guys have pic or any article about replacing the rack? thanks.

 

[bl1tzk1213g]

I removed the steering rack and it looked fine. I used a vise grip and turn the pinion/gear on the steering and it moved fine. Full left and right turn. I thought maybe it's just the tie rod end hitting the knuckle thats causing the problems so I put my rack back, adjusted the rod. It still locks up on reverse left turn. Any ideas? Maybe the rack IS busted?

 

[bl1tzk1213g]

I replaced my steering rack last night and it still does lock. Could it be that the the tie rod end? I compared the two and the other one was shorter (one that was replaced). And could it be from not centering the rack?

 

[wret]

Looks like we've left you hanging on this one. It is possible with an un-centered steering wheel or different length tie rod ends to end up with a rack that isn't centered but this would simply give you more steering range on one side than the other. I suppose if the rack was far enough off center, something could bind, hit or catch, but you should be able to observe this visually.

Does it catch when the front end is off the ground or only when you are moving?

 

[bl1tzk1213g]

I'm trying to center the rack just to make sure if it is or not the problem. How would you know if its center? Does both left and right have the same equal amount of turns? (on the steering) or does one side supposed to have more turn?

 

[wret]

You will want the same amount of extension on both sides. Find where it locks on one side and count the turns to the other. At exactly halfway your steering wheel should be centered. If not, center it and try again.

 

[bl1tzk1213g]

Sigh i'm back... I did a "self" alignment and centered the rack by counting the turns and dividing by 2 . I got the passenger side aligned but the driver side i couldn't. The alignment was maxed out (tied rod scored all the way in) and it still was pointing in. The great thing is it did not lock up but screwed up alignment. Stupid me thought the simple machining could do the trick, I got the tie rod cut off by 1/4 inch and put a little more thread on it. I think I got it aligned and centered but it still locks up!

My theory is that my knuckle is bent somehow causing all this mess. Heres some pics, give me some input guys thanks.

http://putfile.com/pic.php?pic=4/9713264194.jpg&s=x10
http://putfile.com/pic.php?pic=4/9713252016.jpg&s=x10

 

[GTM]

Sigh i'm back... I did a "self" alignment
...
I got the passenger side aligned but the driver side i couldn't. The alignment was maxed out (tied rod scored all the way in) and it still was pointing in. The great thing is it did not lock up but screwed up alignment. Stupid me thought the simple machining could do the trick, I got the tie rod cut off by 1/4 inch and put a little more thread on it. I think I got it aligned and centered but it still locks up!
...
give me some input guys thanks.

I think you need to check your frame alignment, you will probably need a factory manual to find those points. I'm also suspect the control arm may not be the same length, turbo vs non turbo etc? You may have bent a strut or torn the welds for the knuckle (Camber).

Inspect the sway bar attachments on the control arms to see if they are symetrical. Check the tires for being centered in the wheel arch, should be the same distance left side to right side. Check fore and aft plus the top, I usually just use finger widths as measuring tool unless something doesn't seem right and get the tape.

It really sounds like something is way off because you mentioned it wants to over-steer in one direction and understeer in the other. With the wheels straight ahead on level ground use a string and plumbob (fishing weight). Hold the string on the top of the tire so it crosses the center of the axle and almost touches the ground. Measure this distance of the string from the lower sidewall, check the other side with the wheel straight ahead. If the axle is protruding you will move the string to clear it.

Let us know what you find.

Cheers,
GTM

 

[bl1tzk1213g]

Are there two different kinds of lower control arms? I didn't order/install the parts, some tireshop did cause I couldn't drive my car back home which is a 60mile drive.

 

[bl1tzk1213g]

Ok this is weird, I centered my rack, aligned both driver and passenger side (using my eyes). Everytime I backup left turn it locks up. If I mess up the driver side alignment and make the wheel pointing in it doesn't lock up. What could be the problem?