Steering shift during braking and accelerating
#1
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: New Lenox, IL
Posts: 2,478
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Steering shift during braking and accelerating
This is on my 95 Regal.
I've noticed this for a little while now. I have absolutely no idea what it is, and it pisses me off, a lot.
During cruising, my steering wheel will sit about 10 degrees counterclockwise. I've noticed something. If I accelerate hard, the steering corrects itself, and holding the steering wheel perfectly straight allows it to go forward. The moment I brake, I have to move the steering wheel back to the left 10-15 degrees in order to allow it to go forward again. Its natural position while just cruising is about 10 degrees counterclockwise.
I replaced the driver'* side tie end rod last week with a Moog part, and the passenger side doesn't seem to have much play in it. I replaced that one last year. At a stop, I can wiggle the steering wheel left and right about 70 degrees pretty easily, although that also causes the wheels to turn. If I lift the car up on jackstands, its pretty difficult to find a fault because I can wiggle the wheel pretty easily as well, BUT, when I wiggle the wheel, it also turns the steering wheel.
Now do keep in mind its a 95 Regal with extremely easy steering. I can take a turn with one finger.
My guess is that since I have to change the steering position when accelerating, its the tie rods. The car has 223k now and the inner tie rods are factory original ones. Any ideas on what this could be? The wheel hubs do not have any play at all, at least not when trying to wiggle them at 12:00 and 6:00, and 3:00 and 9:00 positions.
I've noticed this for a little while now. I have absolutely no idea what it is, and it pisses me off, a lot.
During cruising, my steering wheel will sit about 10 degrees counterclockwise. I've noticed something. If I accelerate hard, the steering corrects itself, and holding the steering wheel perfectly straight allows it to go forward. The moment I brake, I have to move the steering wheel back to the left 10-15 degrees in order to allow it to go forward again. Its natural position while just cruising is about 10 degrees counterclockwise.
I replaced the driver'* side tie end rod last week with a Moog part, and the passenger side doesn't seem to have much play in it. I replaced that one last year. At a stop, I can wiggle the steering wheel left and right about 70 degrees pretty easily, although that also causes the wheels to turn. If I lift the car up on jackstands, its pretty difficult to find a fault because I can wiggle the wheel pretty easily as well, BUT, when I wiggle the wheel, it also turns the steering wheel.
Now do keep in mind its a 95 Regal with extremely easy steering. I can take a turn with one finger.
My guess is that since I have to change the steering position when accelerating, its the tie rods. The car has 223k now and the inner tie rods are factory original ones. Any ideas on what this could be? The wheel hubs do not have any play at all, at least not when trying to wiggle them at 12:00 and 6:00, and 3:00 and 9:00 positions.
#4
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: New Lenox, IL
Posts: 2,478
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This problem has been happening since before the L67 swap, and the control arms are tight with polyurethane bushings.
I will however check the subframe bolts asap.
I will however check the subframe bolts asap.
#6
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: New Lenox, IL
Posts: 2,478
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I parked the car in a spot real quick during lunch, pulled the hand brake, and tried to rev the engine in the engine bay. Tried moving it to reverse as well, and cradle isn't moving at all. I'll check the steering rack.
What symptoms does a car show when inner tie rods go bad?
What symptoms does a car show when inner tie rods go bad?
#7
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: New Lenox, IL
Posts: 2,478
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I checked the subframe bolts yesterday and they're all perfectly good and tight, so that'* not it. I'm thinking of just replacing the inner tie rods since they do have 223k miles on them and I can't think of what else it would be. Steering rack definitely doesn't look loose while wobbling the wheels. Those are definitely tight.
#8
DINOSAURUS BOOSTUS
Expert Gearhead
Take a couple wrenches under the car will ya. You might not have the same effect that a couple of ton car will on moving the rack with the wheels.
Bad inner tie rods exhibit the same looseness/play that an outter does. Just further down the line.
Bad inner tie rods exhibit the same looseness/play that an outter does. Just further down the line.