Hi have an annoying problem with my max...

Everytime i go over small bumps, ruts, railroad tracks.. My steering wheel shakes. If i go on a smooth surface, ie freeway or street the steering wheel is fine.

So far i've replaced the following:
*Sway bar busihings/endlinks (energy suspension)- however i didnt replace the little legs that connect the sway to the control arm.

* ball joints - used moog profressional grade bj's

* Rear control arm bushing (whiteline/superpro caster bushing)

* wheel bearings (new oem)

* alignment

The only thing left is the front control arm bushings, axles, tierods, or my coilovers.

please advise.

 

i suggest you put the car on a lift and have somebody shake the front wheels like checking a tie rod. then see what, if anything is loose....then replace that part. still have p/s or did u remove it

 

i checked the tie rods they're not loose or anything. However at 250k miles, im sure they're due for a replacement.

Could it be the inner tie rods?

 

The tech that did the alignment would have flagged that and sent it back home for repairs before the alignment would have been done.

Coilovers - How far dropped are you? Ever hear of bump Steer? If could be what your feeling. Our simple front suspension geometry gets pretty f'ked up when you get low. Bump steer is the end result.

Do check the rack and pinion mount bushings.
What size wheel/tire?
Struts - Type? How old?

 

no not yet.. will do that when i get under there.
dropped about 3.5"-4"
18x.8.5" 38mm offset 255/35/18
bc racing coilovers/ about a year old

i have bumpsteer now, i know what that feels like. this feels like a bushing is worn in the steering column.

 

how can one check the inner tie rods?

 

Grab the front wheel and shake side to side. You'll feel the klunk if there's play in the tie rods. Check the rack and pinion mount bushings. Put the car up on ramps and have somebody turn the wheel back and forth a bit while you look at the rack. It shouldn't move.

Your 3.5 - 4 inch drop isn't helping you either.

 

when i installed my new ball joints, i did that test. No moving from the tie rod ends or clunking from the inner tie rods.. Also i turned my steering wheel side to side to see if there was play in the rack / or delay when turning, and nothing. no slop :/

 

my car did the same thing, changed the tie rods, car drives alot smoother now

 

I have experienced a less severe version of this, but it could soon become a real issue. Going to try shaking my steering wheel to see if the problems are the tie rods. :O

 

my shaking is not severe, just annoying.