Wheels suddenly go out of alignment and POP

[91gsx20g]

[RESOLVED] I sucked it up and went ahead and changed the Steering Rack and it solved the problem. Thanks for your input guys!


Ok so I havent posted in a while but now that im "driving" the gsx again, more problems have come about...of course. So, the last time i drove it it was in the snow and i hit sideways into a curb because of the tires being iced over. I bent the wheel and I broke the spindle and replaced them both, I also installed a new balljoint and a new outer tie rod end for that side. Now, here comes the tricky part, it started if I take a turn to the right then went back straight the steering wheel would be completely off center about a quarter turn to the left, and the wheels would be visibly out of alignment and you could even hear the tire squeeling from it going down the road out of toe i assume. Also, there is a sound as if the brake rotor is grinding as well. The steering wheel wll just go crazzzy, it seems to want to spin left and right for no reason and feels like it is gonna jerk off the road. Then, all of a sudden if I turn the steering wheel back and forth fast or turn left far enough there is a loud POP or CLUNK that can be heard and felt in the steering wheel, and then all is perfect again...perfect aligment and no jerking whatsoever...ANY THOUGHTS??? IM STUMPED!!! Oh, I did have the car aligned first thing and it was done right, the guy even looked over all of the suspension components to check for wear, he told me that everything seemed good and tight...but even after the aligment, this problem still exists.


ALSO, when I press the brakes the steering wheel wants to twist left

 

[AllWheelRS]

Ok so I havent posted in a while but now that im "driving" the gsx again, more problems have come about...of course. So, the last time i drove it it was in the snow and i hit sideways into a curb because of the tires being iced over. I bent the wheel and I broke the spindle and replaced them both, I also installed a new balljoint and a new outer tie rod end for that side. Now, here comes the tricky part, it started if I take a turn to the right then went back straight the steering wheel would be completely off center about a quarter turn to the left, and the wheels would be visibly out of alignment and you could even hear the tire squeeling from it going down the road out of toe i assume. Also, there is a sound as if the brake rotor is grinding as well. The steering wheel wll just go crazzzy, it seems to want to spin left and right for no reason and feels like it is gonna jerk off the road. Then, all of a sudden if I turn the steering wheel back and forth fast or turn left far enough there is a loud POP or CLUNK that can be heard and felt in the steering wheel, and then all is perfect again...perfect aligment and no jerking whatsoever...ANY THOUGHTS??? IM STUMPED!!! Oh, I did have the car aligned first thing and it was done right, the guy even looked over all of the suspension components to check for wear, he told me that everything seemed good and tight...but even after the aligment, this problem still exists.

Take a real close look at all of the suspension again, ball joint, tie rod inner and outer, make sure the axle nut is tight, check the upper spindle/strut bolts make sure they are tight, and check your upper strut mounts, do all of this for both sides of the car. What I think it is going to end up being though is your control arm bushings, get it up in the air and grab a pry bar to check them, also look at your wheel well to see if the tire has worn a spot anywhere from rubbing (that could be the grinding noise you hear).

 

[okcpopeman]

Sounds to me like you broke the steering rack maybe. If you are sitting still and turn the wheel both ways have someone watch from the outside and see if both wheels are turning as they should. Hitting a curb doesn't always just mess up the side that hit it.

 

[91gsx20g]

Thanks for the quick reply guys. I forgot to mention that I do have the aftermarket lower control arm bushings which are basically new.

 

[pj91gsx]

Sounds to me like you broke the steering rack maybe. If you are sitting still and turn the wheel both ways have someone watch from the outside and see if both wheels are turning as they should. Hitting a curb doesn't always just mess up the side that hit it.

i agree with this guy. If you fixed all your external issues, its most likely the rack itself.

 

[91gsx20g]

Thanks guys. I'm heading over to pull the rack out now. I'll keep you informed. I'm gonna try to make a trip up to your place this weekend austin.

 

[90moneypit]

Don't forget to check the splines on your steering shaft as well when you drop the rack, you might have a broken or worn spline there if it's an intermittent problem.