Unsafe Torque Steer?

[TurboLaserRS]

Hey guys, I'm having a strange issue that just started a couple days ago. It seems that whenever I'm at half or more throttle at almost any RPM, the car starts to pull to the right pretty badly. As soon as you let off the throttle the car snaps back to tracking in a straight line. In the rain this is extremely unsafe, and so I want to know what it might be. It didn't do this even three days ago so I'm kind of concerned something major has broken in the front end.
Any ideas what this might be? I've never had a car that did this before.

Additional info: I just replaced the drivers side CV axle a few weeks ago. Maybe the passenger side has broken now?

 

[Firsts tuner]

Worth a look. Have you hit any curbs or anything recently?

 

[TurboLaserRS]

No not at all. Nothing comes to mind at all. I've hit a couple bumps here and there but it's definitely not an alignment issue, as long as i'm off the throttle it doesn't pull to either side.

 

[95TalonOwner]

Check your front end and report back with any findings.

 

[Metal Health]

Check the lower control arm towards the part that goes into the round cylinder bushing, ive seen those completely broke and cant see it unless pressure pushes it out of place. Your ball joint, castle nut loose?

 

[TurboLaserRS]

I'll have to check that tomorrow. It rained all day today, and I don't live with my ex anymore which = no garage.

Came out of the store earlier with a pizza, and battery was dead. FML man. It's just one of those days.

 

[TurboLaserRS]

I did not have a chance to check much today. I saw one thing that really bugs me though. Say I turn the wheel a quarter turn. The left wheel is exactly where I would expect it to be, but the right wheel is turned only a little bit. Not as much as where it usually would be. I don't know if this makes sense or not, but it's all I've got at the moment.

 

[TurboLaserRS]

Well guys, I unfortunately figured out the problem. Somebody must have been looking out for me and my safety. The dsm gods smiled upon me on this day. While turning the wheel angling into a parking spot there was a small pop sound. The wheel suddenly got super easy to turn. I get out and look, the drivers side wheel doesn't turn anymore. Tie rod end snapped off at the knuckle. I'm so lucky this didn't happen while I was on the freeway.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

Pics!

You mean the balljoint stud snapped and the threads are still in the knuckle? Wild.

 

[TurboLaserRS]

I'm not good at describing things in which I know little or nothing about. Therefore, pictures will be my answer to your inquiry.

It appears as though the castle nut pulled out over the cotter pin. I'm not sure if it took the theads with it. It is bent though, so it's going to have to be replaced. (Duh)

 

[flawlessTSI]

Eek you got very lucky. Looks like someone striped the threads on install a long time ago.

 

[1gAWT]

Eek you got very lucky. Looks like someone striped the threads on install a long time ago.

Mexi Mike knows his stuff! I wouldn't doubt him.

 

[tonyspyder]

Well guys, I unfortunately figured out the problem. Somebody must have been looking out for me and my safety. The dsm gods smiled upon me on this day. While turning the wheel angling into a parking spot there was a small pop sound. The wheel suddenly got super easy to turn. I get out and look, the drivers side wheel doesn't turn anymore. Tie rod end snapped off at the knuckle. I'm so lucky this didn't happen while I was on the freeway.

Amen brother. I feel your pain. With these dsm you will never know what to expect. Just thank god for looking out for you bro. If there was a dsm god ill pray to him everyday for my cars safety . Should be an ez fix. All you need is rachet, jack and kragen to fix the problem. After that just keep her maintained and you'll be alrite. Good luck with the fix.

 

[DSMnoobsause]

If that happened then I wouldn't put anything on that car as reliable until you check it all out.
I'm glad your ok and the car as well. At least it wasnt a wreck.

 

[TurboLaserRS]

Here is a lesson for you guys. If you don't get the price you like on a part, complain. I went to autozone and they wanted 40.99 for ONE moog tie rod end. I said no way, rock auto has that for 20.99. Guy put in his manager password thing and changed the price to 20.99 for me. No waiting, no shipping. What a great day!

 

[awdtalon4451]

What?!?! I'm gonna try that next time they try to price gouge on something

 

[boost97gst]

damn bro, you got lucky!! I just swapped mine out cause i could feel the slop in it. House brand Oreillys, cheap and work great.

 

[dsmcurse]

Glad there was no accident man. As far as changing out that broken piece goes, once you get it up on jack stands VERY CAREFULLY inspect the rest of your componets. And if anything needs replaced you know the special discount code . Good luck buddy

 

[TurboLaserRS]

Thanks for the help guys. I got it done just a little bit ago. Drives straight as an arrow but my wheel is hella off center. When I removed the jam nut it removed my sharpie mark on the inner tie rod so I think my toe in/out is effed up. I was limping it back to my apartment and on the way home I heard little squeeks or something. Any time I twitch the wheel the tires squack a little. I guess eyeballing it isn't possible, but atleast I made it home. The pull that I was experiencing is gone, but I'm going to replace the other side tomorrow just in case. Always was told when you do suspension you do it in pairs. Thanks again everybody.

 

[DSM1G90]

I'd gone to NAPA, Carquest, or similar than "the ZONE".

These places carry more respectable parts.

You got a set of wheels that needs to stay on the road to keep you safe and you need dependable parts to do such.

-Good luck as always - DSM

 

[TurboLaserRS]

I'd gone to NAPA, Carquest, or similar than "the ZONE".

These places carry more respectable parts.

You got a set of wheels that needs to stay on the road to keep you safe and you need dependable parts to do such.

-Good luck as always - DSM

I mean no disrespect by this, but NAPA is the worst auto parts retailer I've ever patronized. There is a reason for the moniker "No Auto Parts Available". Every time I've ever gone there it's been a complete waste of time. They never have anything in stock. If they do have something in stock, it's more expensive for no apparent reason. With respect to quality of parts, it's been said on here probably thousands of times. You get what you pay for. The moog tie rod end that I purchased at Auto Zone isn't somehow inferior to one purchased at
Car Quest. Just don't go in there expecting expert advice, unless it's on how to install a bolt on fart can.

 

[TurboLaserRS]

So now I have a new question. Ever since I installed the tie rod end, I have to steer towards that side to go straight. I get little chirps from the wheels. In an attempt to avoid paying 80 dollars for an alignment, should I try tightening up that side a bit to see what happens? I know an alignment is inevitable, but I have a free alignment further away in town. I just want to get there without destroying my tires.

*EDIT*
Well I figured it out myself. If you want to get your alignment back to somewhat where it was before do this.

Pull into the garage or spot or wherever you're going, straight. If you have to turn the wheel to one side or the other to drive straight, leave it like that when you're parked.

I then just jacked up the side of the car, loosened the jam nut up, and tightened the inner tie rod until my steering wheel was very close to being straight like it used to be.
Then I carefully snugged the jam nut back down and dropped the car. I went for a drive, and now driving straight is perfectly in the middle of my steering wheel.
Is it perfect? No, but at least my tires aren't fighting each other trying to go down the road. No more chirping noises. I'm going to drive it like this for awhile, and see how my tires do.