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2002 Max se Steering issue Help!!!

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Old Mar 16, 2007 | 09:55 AM
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2002 Max se Steering issue Help!!!

While driving my steering wheel jerks to the left a little, not effecting steering but nerve racking. Went to the Stealership and was told it was steering rack. I had it replaced but the steering wheel still jerks at random to the left. It doesn't effect driving car is still straight but scary when it happens, as if I'm waitng for something to just give way at highway speeds. $1700 for 1st fix I need to go back but don't want to get hosed again. 138,000K miles on car runs great no other issues. Have KYB Agx's on stock rims, no vibration, had alignment done. What gives guys. All your feed back is much appreciated.
Old Mar 17, 2007 | 11:58 AM
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I have had the same problem happen to me a lot lately, I can not find out what it is, one time actually I pulled up to a stoplight and the steering wheel just turned all the way to the left on it's own...freaky, it is very scary but I have no idea on what the problem could be.
Old Mar 17, 2007 | 12:36 PM
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you shouldnt get hosed since they didnt fix the problem to begin with - I would take it back and tell them its still happening. Please keep us posted - never heard of something like this before ...

EXORCISM?


j/k

btw - it took me a VERY LONG time to find a good mechanic - the kind that allows you to literally watch what they are doing and they even explain what causes the issue. The kind that have regulars cause they dont want anyone else touching thier cars. stealerships will bend you over any chance they get.
Old Mar 17, 2007 | 12:46 PM
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CJ: do you mean a quick jerk while you're moving? If so, you might want to look into the ABS system. Had that problem myself.


pimpin: hire an exorcist.
Old Mar 18, 2007 | 07:49 AM
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Slight jerk to the left on steering wheel

I thought that it would be ABS but there are no codes that were triggered. Had an ABS issue a while ago but the code was thrown. Its been very cold here in NJ and warm. Very large temp changes. I'm grabbing at straws here but any ideas before I bring this back and they tell me it's something else I have to shell out big bucks for. By the way they must be desperate because I knocked the price of the fix down by $600 dollars. Still very expensive but now when I bring it back there going to make up for it. Why can'nt they fix there own cars right the first time and not inconvience there customers.
Old Mar 18, 2007 | 08:05 AM
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im leaning towards your shocks. more than likely the drivers side.
Old Mar 20, 2007 | 08:55 AM
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Drivers side shock

How would I know if shock is bad or going. I have KYB AGX's for my front and rears. Been on for a while. What would be the signs I'm looking for if shock are bad and on there way out?
Old Mar 20, 2007 | 10:03 AM
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are you hitting holes or bumps in the road?
Old Mar 21, 2007 | 07:40 AM
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Bumps and holes

Every day I hit bumps and holes. I commute 120 mile a day on the NJ turnpike. The car rides fine still smooth when going over bumps. This jerking of the steering wheel is intermittent at best. just had steering rack replaced but the jerk is still happening. Slight jerk of the wheel to the left, not effecting the drive quality. The car still goes straight the wheel jerks ever so slightly. Not for the whole ride though; Anyone???
Old Mar 21, 2007 | 10:48 AM
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To me it sounds like there is something wrong with your power steering unit. I honestly don't see how anyone who's driven a car for more than a day would even suggest your shocks considering the symptoms you pointed out, "intermitten jerking" have your mechanic look at your power steering rack, there may be a kink or a crimp somewhere in the lines. Thats my guess, good luck.
Old Mar 21, 2007 | 11:03 AM
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Originally Posted by CJLax
I thought that it would be ABS but there are no codes that were triggered. Had an ABS issue a while ago but the code was thrown.
Did you have your brakes checked? Sticky caliper or something? You could disable your ABS to see if the problem changes.
Old Mar 23, 2007 | 04:10 AM
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Originally Posted by CJLax
While driving my steering wheel jerks to the left a little, not effecting steering but nerve racking. Went to the Stealership and was told it was steering rack. I had it replaced but the steering wheel still jerks at random to the left. It doesn't effect driving car is still straight but scary when it happens, as if I'm waitng for something to just give way at highway speeds. $1700 for 1st fix I need to go back but don't want to get hosed again. 138,000K miles on car runs great no other issues. Have KYB Agx's on stock rims, no vibration, had alignment done. What gives guys. All your feed back is much appreciated.
CJ, I asked my mechanic and he said some possible causes could be tire pressure difference, tires wearing out due to alignment issues or a bad tire, different shock/spring setup (if you had changed them recently) and possibly a sticking brake caliper.
Old Mar 23, 2007 | 05:57 AM
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the same problem has affected me these last few month. im on a s-tech/tokico blue setup and have been for 3 years now. my mechanic mentioned it might need an alignment which is comming along with a set of new blues. hoping this would take care of the problem. when stopping or accelerating from a stop it slighty turns to the right. car drives good but like mentioned above the thought of something going wrong one day is what sucks. my mechanic hasnt looked into it, just phone convo's but as soon i drop it off at the shop this can get fixed or atleast answered.
Old Mar 23, 2007 | 07:23 AM
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Tire pressure, brake check, sticky caliper??

I always check tire presure due to the fact that I put over 120 miles a day and spending money on tires for not checking inflation is a no go. I learned from experience to check presure once a week. I have agx's all around with H&R springs since day one I had this vehicle. Thanks for all your advice so I will check tires, brakes. I hope it's the brakes. I have replaced the brake pads 3 times already on my Cryogenic rotors. I was told never to cut these rotors so mybe they have thined out, however last brake check I was told the rotors were fine. Would this cause the slight jerk. I will also check the possiblity that a caliper is sticking. Today the weather is up in the 60's and the jerk did not happen. ??? keep the replys coming. Scary issue when it occurs while driving on highway.
Old Mar 23, 2007 | 08:41 AM
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.

.......................................
Old Mar 23, 2007 | 09:09 AM
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Please stay on topic

Originally Posted by eugenemaxima
.......................................
This is a serious matter dealing with my everyday driver. What the heck do you need pics for. If you have helpful advise please feel free to join in if not it is better left unsaid. Thanks
Old Mar 23, 2007 | 09:51 AM
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Originally Posted by CJLax
While driving my steering wheel jerks to the left a little, not effecting steering but nerve racking. Went to the Stealership and was told it was steering rack. I had it replaced but the steering wheel still jerks at random to the left. It doesn't effect driving car is still straight but scary when it happens, as if I'm waitng for something to just give way at highway speeds. $1700 for 1st fix I need to go back but don't want to get hosed again. 138,000K miles on car runs great no other issues. Have KYB Agx's on stock rims, no vibration, had alignment done. What gives guys. All your feed back is much appreciated.
Sounds like a power steering problem. Check you power steering belt that its not slipping and also check the fluid, if not it may be the pump it self
Old Mar 23, 2007 | 11:30 AM
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I had a problem like this on my 94 Max. Not sure if this would be helpful to you considering that was a 3rd gen, but it would kind of feel like the steering would randomly "shift" into a new position. It turned out to be a control arm bushing... for which I had to replace the entire control arm. Just a thought,
Old Mar 23, 2007 | 12:29 PM
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^^^ how much did that run you?
Old Mar 27, 2007 | 12:31 PM
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latest update

The abrubt turn of the wheel has gone away. I was thinking that maybe it could have been the result of sticky calipers. In the north they have been applying new materials to the streets for ice puposes. The news reports stated that this new material was soft and sticky. Salt is salt this new stuff is brown in apperance and they spread it like candy this last month in NJ. just a thought lets see if the jerk of the wheel comes back. The weather is getting warm very quickly here in central NJ. Thanks for all your comments. I will delve into all your suggestions if it rears its ugly head again.
Old Mar 27, 2007 | 05:21 PM
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i thought agx's dont fit the 5th gens....maybe thats why?
Old Mar 28, 2007 | 03:51 AM
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Originally Posted by gaby617
^^^ how much did that run you?

Well, considering it was January and about -15 degrees, I had a shop do the work. Labor included about 500 bucks. Parts were about 300 I think.
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