Pennyman Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 Hey. Just got some new wheels and tires and it's really magnified my steering issues. I just replaced both steering outer tie rod ends, and the problem has persisted. My symptoms: Eveytime I turn the wheel and back (as if i was on a slalom) I hear a pop from the passesnger's side front. I think it might be either the lower ball joint (under the steering knuckle) or the inner tie rod on the steering rack. This noise only occurs while the car is moving down the road. I cannot recreate it when the car is stationary. When I'm cruising down the road, and the passenger wheel hits a bump, the steering wheel changes angle a little, like something was just knocked out of alignment. As it roll over things like manhole covers and bumps, the car darts left and right. Sometimes pulling left, and several bumps later, pulling right. I thought it was the tie rod end, so I replaced it, but it still occurs. This leads me to the two things I mentioned earlier. I think Pusher had a similar issue with his steering (changing angle while driving), but it was never reported what was causing the problem. Any advise would be apreciated. I'll be skipping an autoX to confront this problem unfortunately, so I'd like to be headed in the right direction before tearing things apart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillZ260 Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 I think what you are experiencing is called bump steer, it's really common in the early Z's. There are several solutions, do some searching and you should be able to clear it up some. Is your car lowered? What wheels tires did you change to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennyman Posted October 28, 2007 Author Share Posted October 28, 2007 I have coilovers, sectioned about 1.25 inches. Sportmax 002 16x8 with 225/50 Falkens. I'd say its at least 1.75 inches lower than stock. I'm sure I do have some bumpsteer issues, but I can't remember it being this bad when I had my old 14x7 rims on there, which leads me to believe that something is wearing out. Especially since the steering wheel doesn't come back to center after I hit bumps/go around corners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iraqlou2007 Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 You could also check the wheel bearing and make sure it's not loose. Lou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennyman Posted October 28, 2007 Author Share Posted October 28, 2007 Wheel bearings are not loose. Infact, my car passed tech at an autoX last month, and I haven't driven much since then. It's also not the steering insulator, because I've upgraded to the urethane unit. I guess I'll keep chasing it down... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e_racer1999 Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 have you gotten a reliable alignment? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennyman Posted October 29, 2007 Author Share Posted October 29, 2007 Not recently, but that shouldn't be the issue here should it? My first guess would be a mechanical issue, not an allignment issue. Seems to me that an alignment couldn't solve the problems I've been having, or am I mistaken? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 Sounds like ball joints to me. If you haven't replaced them yet, do it. In my experience the inner tie rods don't go bad very often. I have yet to acquire a Z that didn't need ball joints. While you're replacing the ball joints you can get a good hold on the tie rod and test the inner, but I doubt that is it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e_racer1999 Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 i completely spaced on the popping and was thinking that the wandering might be toe related Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auxilary Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 sounds like a balljoint, OR..... your springs might be binding if your strut bearing is seized. also, depending on directional tire tread and stickiness of hte rubber, tire can grip and wander as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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