Steering/alignment Issue

[OBEEWON]

Been dealing with this problem for a while. Read alot of threads with similar, but not quite the same issue. Lots of hear say.

Chassis:S14

Problem:

Steering is extremely inconsisntant. If I make a tight radius turn to the left then drive straight, my steering wheel will be off centered to the left. If I make a tight radius turn to the right then straigten out it will be pretty much centered. Also driving straight the car will pull to the right.

There isn't any play to speak of, it just feels like the front wheels aren't working together in unison. Quite scary in the rain.

I have gotten the car aligned a few times and replaced the tie rod ends. Upon inspection I can't see anything that would be amiss.

Anyone who KNOWS what the issue might be, your help would be greatly appreciated as I can't afford to just start replacing things to figure it out.

Thanks

OB

[clark]

what is the condition of your TC rod bushings? i know it may seem obvious, but ya never know, you could have overlooked it.

do you also have your power steering pump connected? or no ps..?

[OBEEWON]

They look fine. But that was a cursory inspection. PS connected.

[smelly240]

steering rack bushings

[jspaeth]

What kind of bushings do you have on all of your links up front and in back?

I guess maybe if you take a turn really hard with soft bushings, they may "settle" into a new position?

i have felt this happen too, but not to the extent that you seem to be encountering it.

It has to be something causing the tire's slip angle to change a bit, because if the wheel is in the same positions, theoretically, the wheels and hubs should be in the same position

[onepuff]

Upper shock mounts could be binding. also check your ball joints

[jspaeth]

OBEE, how far off is it after you change directions?

A small amount? or is the wheel pointing like 10+ degress offline?

[OBEEWON]

jspaeth, its right after. I turn. But the crazy thing is it can shift side to side about an inch while driving. (did you ever get cams with your setup? wondering what numbers you are going to put down.)



I was thinking rack bushings too Smelly. I just hope its not the whole rack thats bad.

I suspected the ball joints too. Im going to use the ones off my beater to see.

[bigOdom1]

how does the alignment change? have you had it aligned, it go funny, then take it back and have them re do it? most places will fix it within a week otherwise driving on shitty roads will alter the alignment

[clark]

i say jack the front of the car up, start the engine, start steering the wheel. start looking for play. it'd be easiest if you had a friend help. i've also diagnosed front susp problems by jacking the front up and moving the front wheels with my hands. i became one with the car and "felt" the problem.

i can't remember, do S14 steering columns have that stupid rubber bushing like S13s? if the S14 has that stupid rubber bushing on the column in the engine bay after the firewall, maybe that turned into boogers.

[jspaeth]

[quote=clark;1969338]i say jack the front of the car up, start the engine, start steering the wheel. start looking for play. it'd be easiest if you had a friend help. i've also diagnosed front susp problems by jacking the front up and moving the front wheels with my hands. i became one with the car and "felt" the problem.
quote]


Excellent, young grasshopper...

[OBEEWON]

Good Ideas. S14's dont have the column bushings like S13's thank God.

It really sounds like the rack is moving side to side since my centerline changes. I dunno... I have energy bushings on the way anyway, cheap so that cant hurt.

[aznrib]

What was the reading for the caster for the left and right side.

[Silvia_S13]

i have this same situation on my s13. i changed steering rack bushings, i've checked/tightened inner and outter tie rods. i've replaced my traction rods. i have after market coilovers (powered by max).

its been doing this for over 6 months. i kinda comes n goes, but when it happens i always feel surprised lol. i tried fixing it and eventually said fuck it. i've done 6 events with my car like this, horse thief mile, driving to and from el toro (i live in san diego) and drifted all day at the high speed 3rd gear track at drift day. like i said. i said fuck it lol. it still does it. but im over trying to find out why.

[OBEEWON]

What bushing...?

The rack had about an inch and a half that was clean of dirt and grime on the passengers side showing how much play it had.

Car feels better but I still need to get an alignment and new front tires.

[Jung918]

when was the last time you checked your tire pressure?