How does your car react to road ruts?

[summers3d]

My '89 coupe seems to respond way too much to even minor ruts in the road surface. It seems like this is something that has developed over time. It has happened with old and new tires. I've had the alignment done several times. I can move the steering wheel a little without the tires turning. My mechanic has checked the tie rods and ball joints and they seem fine. The car has 130,000 miles. I'm not sure if the shocks have ever been replaced but with the push test they seem fine. Any ideas? It kind of takes away from the driving pleasure...

-David

[450knotOffice]

If you can move the steering wheel a little without the wheels moving then it sounds like your steering rack is in need of a rebuild or replacement.

[summers3d]

I was wondering about the steering rack. Would a loose or old steering rack contribute to problems like this?
-David

[patkeefe]

yes

[Nine9six]

What 450knotOffice said.
Suspension components are usually good for 75K mi. depending on driving habits, and roads. At 130K, I'd say its past time for replacements. OBTW, the push test is not a viable test for checking suspension components.

[SandyI]

I'd replace the shocks and have the car corner balanced. Oh wait. I did that and it only improved the handling of my car about 1,000%.

[summers3d]

Sandy, what kind of handling issues were you having?

[SandyI]

My car got extremely light at about 60 mph and drifted quite a bit. With the new shocks and corner balancing and some other misc suspension adjustments (Thanks, Otto) it tracked perfectly. Then I went a step further with a front strut brace and rear sway bar before I started running it in the POC short track events at Streets of Willow.