Intermitent steering dead spot while driving. Please help diagnose
03-14-2019, 08:04 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Intermitent steering dead spot while driving. Please help diagnose
Took the car out of winter storage today for the first time in three months.
I'm driving down the highway on the way home and go to change lanes and very briefly it was like the wheel wasn't connected to the tires. There were a couple degrees of what I'd describe as a dead spot where the steering wheel is rotating but its like its not connected to anything. Startling for sure.
This happened a couple more times before I could get home but didn't happen every time. It was otherwise tight and normal feeling. The other weird thing was that after this happened the steering wheel would be a few degrees out of alignment when going straight, and would have way more play than normal, but would then switch back, not have the play, and line up straight again.
It's like the steering wheel is only intermittently connected to the steering column, but I know that's not the case.
Other symptoms; a louder than usual groaning when turning at full lock and occasional shudder at highway speeds through the front wheels like I was driving over washboard asphalt when in fact the road was smooth, both not normal.
Did my rennlist research and it doesn't appear to be power steering fluid. The level cold was about 1/2 to 3/4 of the way to the hot line.
Car is lowering springs with DSC and stock shocks.
Any thoughts?
I'm driving down the highway on the way home and go to change lanes and very briefly it was like the wheel wasn't connected to the tires. There were a couple degrees of what I'd describe as a dead spot where the steering wheel is rotating but its like its not connected to anything. Startling for sure.
This happened a couple more times before I could get home but didn't happen every time. It was otherwise tight and normal feeling. The other weird thing was that after this happened the steering wheel would be a few degrees out of alignment when going straight, and would have way more play than normal, but would then switch back, not have the play, and line up straight again.
It's like the steering wheel is only intermittently connected to the steering column, but I know that's not the case.
Other symptoms; a louder than usual groaning when turning at full lock and occasional shudder at highway speeds through the front wheels like I was driving over washboard asphalt when in fact the road was smooth, both not normal.
Did my rennlist research and it doesn't appear to be power steering fluid. The level cold was about 1/2 to 3/4 of the way to the hot line.
Car is lowering springs with DSC and stock shocks.
Any thoughts?
03-15-2019, 12:44 AM
#2
Three Wheelin'
Get the front wheels up and take a look at the connection between the rack and the guibo. Put your key in and have someone move the steering wheel back and forth while you look to see if there are any issues with the steering mechanism. Check your tie rods inner and outer for wear. Check your tires.
In the back, check your PS pump for a bad bearing or any unusual noise.
In the back, check your PS pump for a bad bearing or any unusual noise.
03-16-2019, 09:44 AM
#3
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Well this morning I went to back the car out of the garage to move it and it felt like I was rolling over something. I get out to see and nothing.
Turns out the front right wheel, while still responding to the steering wheel (slightly) is at an angle not related to the front left wheel or the steering wheel. Something is definitely broken off in there. Can't believe I drove it home this close to collapse. I'll need to have it cradled to remove and towed. Will update with outcome. Perhaps a broken or unsecured tie rod?
Turns out the front right wheel, while still responding to the steering wheel (slightly) is at an angle not related to the front left wheel or the steering wheel. Something is definitely broken off in there. Can't believe I drove it home this close to collapse. I'll need to have it cradled to remove and towed. Will update with outcome. Perhaps a broken or unsecured tie rod?
03-16-2019, 11:33 AM
#4
Three Wheelin'
Yes perhaps.
Got a photo?
Your shop will check it out - should be an easy dx if it’s that bad. Hopefully also an easy fix!
Edit: most importantly I am glad you didn’t get hurt.
Got a photo?
Your shop will check it out - should be an easy dx if it’s that bad. Hopefully also an easy fix!
Edit: most importantly I am glad you didn’t get hurt.
Last edited by jeebus31; 03-16-2019 at 11:50 AM.
03-16-2019, 07:55 PM
#6
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
pics won’t show anything except one wheel facing one way and another the other. It’s in the corner of the garage and I can’t move it unfortunately. Need to get it on wheel dollies and towed to shop.
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03-17-2019, 01:19 PM
#9
Drifting
03-17-2019, 01:29 PM
#10
Burning Brakes
03-17-2019, 01:33 PM
#11
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
03-17-2019, 04:05 PM
#12
Burning Brakes
03-19-2019, 07:06 PM
#13
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Got under the car today. Going to shop tomorrow. This is not what i expected to see and makes me realize how lucky i was that nothing bad happened. I cant replace the bolt though (if i even had it) without getting the car up on a rack. I guess when the lowering springs were put on somebody didn't torque it properly--15k miles ago.
