Hey y'all.....

So my max has been acting kinda strangely. First of all, its a 98 with 195K, runs great, and I absolutely love my car. Lowered on H-Techs.

Anyway, the steering lately has been acting a bit more jumpy and loose than normal. It has a very strange "on-center" feel, and feels a bit floaty. I know being lowered can kinda cause this, but it has definitely changed since I first lowered it like 5 years ago.

What could this be? I am also kinda hearing a grinding sound when I turn from one of my front tires. I was assuming this was probably a ball joint. Could that make my steering funny? Also, its not nearly as bad at speeds higher than about 40 mph.

Anyway, thanks. As always, the .org is the best when you don't know what the problem is with your car. Any help is appreciated.

ps- I do have 2 different brand tires on the front. Same size though.

 

Which struts are you running? They could be getting soft, how many miles on the setup?
Check for play in the lower control arm ball joints and bushings.
Check for play in the tie rod ends.
How are your tires wearing?
When was the last time you had the alignment checked?

 

I am running the Tokico Blues, I bought them slightly used, and I've put a LOT of miles on them. I bet they have about 70000-80000 miles on them. Would my struts getting soft cause weird steering issues?

My tires are wearing oddly, but thats how this whole problem began. In November last year, I took it in to BigO Tires to get an alignment done. They did my alignment, test drove it, checked the alignment again, then said they couldn't keep it alighned because my rack and pinion unit was probably going out, which they then quoted me 1600 dollars to replace.

Anyway, thats whats up.

 

Just an idea, maybe it's the rack...

 

i dont believe its the rack and pinion.....when that goes, usually your wheel stays turned after a turn and it usually leaks too...

 

I don't buy the rack theory either.

The blues are soft to begin with, add 70-80K miles coupled with a sport spring and they are done! The tire wear is not normal, have the front end checked by a good mechanic. Change the struts to something a bit more firm, GR2's? Make sure everything in the front end is tight!

 

If u have a lotta off-center play in the steering wheel then i wd say RAck and Pninon. for instance when u turn steering wheel either left or right, the car should respond almost immediately. Also are ur belts good?

Kevlo has a thread on replacing the Rack. Check it out, he list some of the warning signs if rack going bad.

 

So let me get this straight, poor feeling in the wheel, uneven tire wear, unable to align due to rack and the shop thought the rack was going bad.

I'd take it to another shop to check the rack.

Just my two cents.