So I have a 96 GLE auto (unfortunately) with approx 156k miles. Normal bolt ons. WPS Y-PIPE, Greddy SP2 Cat Back, Unorthodox UP.....so on and so forth and I drive the stinkin thing like a stick. Yesterday as I'm gettin on it through the gears I reach 3rd and my steering goes wild. Car went violently to right and then to the left. Not your normal torque steer issue. Feels like steering just went out. Let off the gas and it went back to normal..noticed that my steering wheel is now a bit off center to the left and now rack feels loose. Resevoir is full....does not appear to be any leaks...I took back out today and it does same thing. Under normal driving conditions it is fine....it's just when I get on it that it happens. Anyone have any thoughts or had this happen? Would a broken engine mount cause this?

 

Have you jacked up the car and took a look yet? How are your ball joints?
Jae

 

check all of the bushings: control arms & rack. if you have any fluid leaks that have gotten on any rubber bushings, check them closely for damage. the rack bushings, if bad could let the rack move around under pressure, same w/ctrl arm bushings.

 

Sounds like the rack mounting bushings failed.

 

why shift it? its an auto dude accept it lol

 

Thanks for the reponse's. I jacked car up and on pass side there appears to be a lot of fluid on the control arm, cv boot and surrounding structure. Thoughts? What am I looking for?

 

What kind of fluid. Color

 

do the rack bushings look damaged, ie: swollen, broken, are they out of the brackets, is the rack out of place in the brackets. have somebody rock the steering wheel from side to side while you watch the rack for any side to side movement of the rack itself, not the bellows. as for the fluid, on the passenger side its most likely p/s fld could be oil also. clean it up ,find the source and fix. on the ctrl arm bushings look for simular damage. feel them to see if they're very soft/mushy. especially the bushing at the rear of the arm. is the frt bushing still there?

 

Well, the damage is as follows: P/S rack is shot....have leaky oil sending unit, a hole in my P/S suction hose, rght lower control arm is shot and my sway bar bushings are destroyed. I was driving car last night and everything basically gave out. Since I need car for work had it taken to shop and they confirmed the above. With refurbished rack (new was $1800) all other parts, labor and alignment grand total $1700. Ouch. So much for the mods I had planned on doing. Appreciate all the response.

 

That's quite a chunk of change. But at least you'll rest assured everything will be fixed and all good again.
Jae

 

Fogot to add that dealer was less than shop I normally take car to (approx $270 less) and they even put me in a rental. I was actually shocked they picked up the tab. Guess there are still some legitimate dealer service shops.
Interested to see how the max will drive once I get it back.

 

wow! i think u should let the TX peeps kno about your dealership. good find!
Jae