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Steering issue

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 12:41 am
by Yoshi
Tech thread?

Anyhow I had a little cuddle incident with a wall at the last event I went to. I glanced off of it and my front right wheel caught most of the brunt. It messed up the wheel a bit and bent the inner tie rod. I replaced the inner tie rod hoping it would fix the issues but it didn't.

The steering is really heavy and wont return. I don't know if it would be the rack or not, that is what I am afraid of. Also when I turn the wheel I hear creaking and moaning coming from what I think are the strut mounts. Also the steering hangs up at points. I haven't been able to pull everything off yet because I need to drive it for school and all that good stuff.

So what could it be?

Bent coilover?
Bad Rack?
Outer tie rods?
Lower control arm?
Ball joint?

Opinions ideas?

Sanku

Re: Steering issue

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 9:53 am
by ChadMK4
I would take it to Foerst Motorwerks to get the whole thing checked out. But it could be that the caster is completely out of wack now or you could have cracked your balljoint. Could've even bent the LCA. But take it to Matt, he's a no-BS kinda guy and will tell ya like it is. And he can usually get it fixed faster than most too.

*edit* Sorry, I just noticed that you're in TN.

Re: Steering issue

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 11:59 am
by jsquared
ChadMK4 wrote:I would take it to Foerst Motorwerks to get the whole thing checked out. But it could be that the caster is completely out of wack now or you could have cracked your balljoint. Could've even bent the LCA. But take it to Matt, he's a no-BS kinda guy and will tell ya like it is. And he can usually get it fixed faster than most too.

*edit* Sorry, I just noticed that you're in TN.
Thats my guess, explains the strut binding and the no return issue.

Re: Steering issue

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 12:03 pm
by P.Haire
if you need an extra hand to work on dees junts holla!!!!!!

Re: Steering issue

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 2:07 pm
by Yoshi
The caster is like 5.5 on one side and 6.5 on the other but the tension rods are seized and I couldn't adjust them. It would still return. The steering is really stiff so I don't think its a caster issue even though it's not quite right. I'm going to call spl and see if they can help me out as far as the tension rods go. I bought them about four years ago and are have seen better days.

Lca/ball joint seems like it would be a good guess.

Patrick, thanks man I'll give you a call when I get to the point I can start working on it.

Re: Steering issue

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 9:41 pm
by matts13
to check the upper strut mount take the tie rod off and move the wheel and see if it is tight or not.
with the side of the car that hit the wall still unbolted from the rack move the other wheel.
should tell you the problem, strut/mount or rack.


thanks chad!!!


if you have any other questions let me know.

Re: Steering issue

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 9:46 pm
by Yoshi
Thanks man ill give that a try.

Re: Steering issue

Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 1:57 pm
by Yoshi
Forgot to update, because I know you all were on pins and needles to hear the final confirmation...

I put the car on jack stands and took the tie rods out of the spindles and even hoisted the motor up so it wouldn't be sitting on the rack and the steering was just as stiff.

I'm hopefully picking up a new rack this weekend.


Now you can all sleep at night... sorry to keep you waiting.