Loost steering wheel

[Shaman]

Ever since I got my car, I've noticed that there was something weird with the steering wheel. Even after an alignment, the steering wheel would not stay lined up when driving straight, and on top of that, would never really be "off" the same way. Last night I started really paying attention to it, and it seems that the steering wheel is moving after a hard turn. For example, the steering wheel was about 7 degrees to the left, until I made a U-turn, and then it was 15-20 degrees to the right. I found that if I was stopped, I could adjust it back by turning the steering wheel.

Sorry this is so long, but wanted to know how I should look at fixing it.

 

[Papa Bear]

Stop the car....NOW !!!

 

[NYEngineer]

I'd get under there and look for a loose steering box, worn suspension bushings, tie rod ends, rack, whatever is under there related to the steering. Doesn't sound good.

 

[NYEngineer]

Is it a subframe car? How are the bushings?

 

[moribundman]

I wish I knew what "loost" means...

Just for kicks, take a look at the nut that attaches the steering wheel to the steering column. You will have to remove the airbag and possible the horn button(s). Follow the instructions, or the airbag may rearrange your facial features. The steering wheel is keyed to the steering column. Unless the nut has come very loose and the wheel has been pulled off far enough, there just can't be any play there!

My best guess is that there's something wrong with your steering rack and pinion (or recirculating ball -- depending on what kind of steering your car has). Or maybe a tie rod, control arm etc, has a huge amount of play?

Check everything, because it sounds like you are headed towards complete steering failure.

 

[Quest]

Take Papabear's advise and stop driving it now until it's been thoroughly inspected.

If it fails to return to it's original position after negotiating a turn, most likely it's mainly due to wrong castor, altough camber also plays a slight effect on this.

Cause? accidents that was never repaired properly, or curb hit that was never rectified.

If the steering was never precise meaning that it will not go back to, say, 12o'clock and sometimes steer a bit to the right, sometimes steering a bit to the left to compensate for a straight line, something is definitely wrong and this may call for complete suspension and ball joints/tie rod end check. Also check for plays on all steering linkages.

Q.

 

[Shaman]

I think mori is on the right track. WHen I got the car, the airbag was loose. I will pull the airbag fuse and check it out tomorrow.

 

[chrome]

Sounds like worn steering rack bushings to me. Many Japanese cars suffer this problem with age, the 2 rubber bushings that clamp the steering rack down gets old, and the rack actually slips slightly left or right when you make a turn.

 

[mechtech2]

Worn steering rack bushings top my list.
But I had a problem that was very similar with a bad steering column. The sliding safety crush joint was loose.
Tough to find when you are not looking there!
Possibly the wheel , but that would be really rare.

 

[moribundman]

Originally Posted By: Shaman
I think mori is on the right track. WHen I got the car, the airbag was loose. I will pull the airbag fuse and check it out tomorrow.


I DO NOT believe the play is due to the steering wheel nut being loose, even if the nut is loose! The wheel and column are keyed. I just think you should check it out anyway, because anything is possible. If the nut is loose it needs to be tightened, of course.

When removing the airbag, after pulling the fuse, make sure you are grounded when touching the airbag. After removing the airbag, always put it down face up! Otherwise, if it does go off, the metal mounting hardware might smash into your face.

 

[Shaman]

Okay,took the car to Daihatsu, and they put it up. Seems that the genii(geniuses) decided to mount the steering rack to a piece of metal that sticks down comparative to the rest of the subframe. Seems that this part was hit, and bent up, causing the steering to be awkward, and turning left to hyper extend something. Cure, replace subframe and steering rack, cost, $2000 min. Gonna call te people we bought the car from and see what happens, if that doesn't pan out, we will check for a used subframe.

 

[mechtech2]

Can your bolt a chain to that part of the subframe [secure the other end], and use a vehicle lift to jerk it up and bring it into a usable alignment? Or some other puller device that a body shop may have?
I like genii.

 

[andyd]

Meh, bend it back down and bolt in a knee bracket to stiffen it. Mebbe get the repair welded if possible.