Funny steering problem
 

Hi all,

I need some advice. I've noticed my car handles poorly, feels like the front end is out of alignment. This behavior seemed to start after I took the car to have turbo tie rods put in and alignment done. Could be a coincidental pot hole, but I also think it could be a bump steer issue. Could changing to turbo tie rods case bump steer problems? The ride height hasn't changed at all. I called the mechanic and he said that changing the tie rods wouldn't have anything to do with bump steer issues.

Thanks,

Brad

bump *no pun intended*

Did you have your car aligned after the tie-rod install?

Your mechanic is right. No effect on bump-steer. Only if you lowered the car at the same time.

If the front toe is off enough, (and it usually is after new tie-rods and no alignment) the car will have a mind of it's own in the steering department.

what are the symptoms??

You toe is out of alignment since that is the only parameter that changes when new tie rods are installed.

Cheers,

Joe

Thanks guys, I was just wondering about the bump steer thing. Symptons are the car feels really unsteady in the curves, more so on right hand turns than left hand turns. Not confidence inspiring at all, where as before I could rip through curves with great pleasure. The mechanic said they did an alignment, so i guess it might be something else. Oh also I occasionally hear a knock sound from the front suspension, not sure what it is. I checked to see if the sway bar links had snapped from the control arms and were swinging around, but they look just fine. I guess I'll just take it to a shop and have the alginment checked out again. I'm no expert on suspension problem diagnosis, but I'm learning anyway :)

Brad

Here's what I would do. Given the noise, I would raise the front of the car and perform as good a personal inspection as I could, to ensure my safety on the following drive. Then, I would drive it to the same shop that did the work, and tell them the same stuff you posted here. Sounds like the alignment is off. Don't take "no" for an answer.

Please check your lower A-arm mounts very carefully. I had that same feeling one time. A check revealed that the mount area of the lower pan had separated. I had to replace the lower pan.

Good luck,
David Duffield