Steering randomly lurching and Shaking

[AlphaAssault]

Driving to work today, my steering wheel started to feel weird. Initially, it only happened when i was braking, and it felt like I had a warped rotor. gradually it got worse until i could barely control the vehicle at 35mps because the steering was jerking so violently back and forth. I noticed the jerking slows down as the vehicle slows, and is not related to the engine at all. Also, i dont think its the PS because the fluid levels of the PS is fine, and I can turn the wheel when stopped with no problems at all. I dont notice any noise, no grinding, popping, anything, that would give me a lead on the issue. My guess is that my CV joint has gone bad. Can anyone confirm or deny this?

 

[absolute_DSM]

How much play are in your tie rod outer ends?

 

[e36bmer]

It could have either warped the rotors, knocked the front end out of alignment, or broken a Control arm bushing or something. the symptoms sound kinda odd, but does it seem to do it more, less, or consistant when braking. or any more or less when accelerating, or turning.

 

[AlaskanDsm]

How much play are in your tie rod outer ends?

Not too sure. How can I check?

The Braking seemed to be the worst I had felt. Then again I was ON the brakes. In acceleration I feel it sometimes. Turning sometimes and sometimes when braking. It doesn't seem to be too constant. I can drive down the road and feel absolutely nothing and then out of nowhere just at a basic cruise on the highway at like 50 in 5th, the wheel will lurch to the left and return like nothing happened. The car will of course follow but its only like 2-3 inches of a turn so i don't completely loose control of the car or anything.

 

[e36bmer]

jack your front wheels up in the air and try to turn and jiggle the wheel from left to right and see if there is any play in the wheel. (have a friend hold the steering wheel in place.)

 

[AlaskanDsm]

Ok. I'll have to wait until I can get over to my gf's house. My tools are over there because she has a garage. I'll have to do it in the next couple days. I will check my ball joints when I do that too. It is possible that my front end is out of alignment. I never would have thought that thought by looking at the wheels. they look pretty straight but I guess looks can be decieving.

 

[e36bmer]

Alignment is possible, but that will usually cause pulls. But, generally won't make the car randomly jerk around. It is probably something pretty loose in your steering.

 

[AlaskanDsm]

well I guess the alignment that I knew I would eventually have to get for my rear wheels has come a lot sooner than I thought. I'll have to ask them to look very close at the front end and see if they can find anything wrong. Thanks for the help though! i'll repost on here if anything new comes about.

 

[e36bmer]

Yeah, let us know what it turns out to be.

 

[absolute_DSM]

well I guess the alignment that I knew I would eventually have to get for my rear wheels has come a lot sooner than I thought. I'll have to ask them to look very close at the front end and see if they can find anything wrong. Thanks for the help though! i'll repost on here if anything new comes about.

Definately inspect and repair any parts of your suspension BEFORE you get it up on the rack to align it.

Or youll be paying for an alignment twice. Once before you replace parts, and once after.

 

[tunethis]

tie rod bushings could be bad. Outer tie rod ends (easy fix) could be bad too. Once you jack the car up and wiggle the tires with your hands, you'll know if they are worn. If they're worn, there will be play somewhere.

 

[96gs-t man]

most likely its warped rotors.

 

[96gs-t man]

I'd get you tires balanced if i were you.

 

[AlaskanDsm]

wow haha, I didn't think that this would be brought up on its own without me re-posting on it. Anyways, I can offer an update since I have had a check done on my car. I am a new hire a sears...woooo....(not) And when i took a trip down to the auto department, I asked a few questions about some items and cost and they told me that they do a free steering and front suspension evaluation available to any person who walks in through that door (as he points to the doors)

I was like well ****, I might as well take that up since I was driving the car. 40 Minutes later the mechanic comes out and tells me that both front struts are going out and the cushions are gone and they have some bounce...meaning need to be replaced soon. Also the LF CV axle needs to be replaced because the boot is missing or severely ripped and is caked with dirt and some metal shavings. Another was the RF tie rod ( can't remember off hand if it was outer or inner, have written somewhere) was somewhat loose. And of course the bearing plates of the struts were beginning to go.

So I need to replace all 4 struts (I have two on another car new), find out whats with the boot because as far as I last knew it was perfectly okay, and possibly replace the tie rod. But since being in the shop, the shaking has at least halfwise, gone away. So I believe something the mechanic did was tighten something and helped. But It is still there but not sooo much.

I will be replacing some things and probably just getting an entire new 4 set of rotors and pads for my car...maybe on the deal that one of the vendors has right now. And that should eliminate my problems. Thanks all for replying and maybe in a couple months when i have MONEY (i'm a broke ass kid man!!!) I will update and post what I did to eliminate the issues at hand.

Also I want to double check all those parts he told me to replace...make sure with my own two eyes....except the struts....they look original . On another note...he did locate engine leaks that I didn't think he would look for...But he only told me the ones that I already knew about. Master cyinder for the brakes, oil feed line, and a broken radiator...GOD I am SOOO broke... but owning a DSM aren't we all? or at least most...haha.