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01-15-2014, 08:29 PM | #1 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 175579
Join Date: Mar 2008
Chapter/Region:
SWIC
Location: Gilbert
Vehicle:2006 WRX TR OBP |
Steering feels sloppy, need help
When it comes to steering and suspension, I'm a bit of a nub. My car now has 136k miles on it, and the steering is feeling a bit sloppy. I'm sure there is stuff that needs to be replaced, and I need some help in knowing what that is
I'm going to grab some new struts and springs, or possibly just upgrade to coil overs, but I was wondering at this mileage, what else breaks down and needs to be replaced? I'm sure there are some bushings, bearings, mounts, joints, or something that likely needs to be replaced, I just have no idea what they are. Any help on pointing me to wear and tear parts, or suggestions on kits I should look at to replace those parts would be awesome, thanks.
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01-16-2014, 11:46 AM | #2 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 216553
Join Date: Jul 2009
Chapter/Region:
SWIC
Location: Avondale,Az
Vehicle:2006 wrx sti gray |
Hey man yea im on the same boat, the rear of my car is feeling sloppy and old as i just reached 122k an suspension is on my mind also. Struts top hats and axles is what i would be doing since that hasnt been changed ever.
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01-16-2014, 11:55 AM | #3 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 244844
Join Date: Apr 2010
Chapter/Region:
SWIC
Location: Mesa, Az
Vehicle:1999 Forester S Acadia Green |
A few things to think about:
What are you feeling in the steering that makes you call it "sloppy"? The word "sloppy" is kind of subjective, and everyone has a different level of experience and tolerance that will cause them to give you different answers. Is your car only used as a DD, or is there track time involved? A dd may only need maintenance items like control arm bushings and/or bearings replaced. If the car has track time or even just "spirited" driving time then other items like ball joints, end links, and control arms may need work. |
01-16-2014, 12:58 PM | #4 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 175579
Join Date: Mar 2008
Chapter/Region:
SWIC
Location: Gilbert
Vehicle:2006 WRX TR OBP |
My car is a dd and has never seen track time, but I'm definitely a spirited driver. By sloppy I mean, the steering is not tight any more, feels like there is slack in the steering wheel. The car tends to drift more and more with any curvature in the road. It just feels used and abused, it's hard to explain. I had it aligned when I got the last set of tires and it really didn't help, so it has to be just time to replace the wear and tear stuff.
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01-16-2014, 01:19 PM | #5 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 216553
Join Date: Jul 2009
Chapter/Region:
SWIC
Location: Avondale,Az
Vehicle:2006 wrx sti gray |
Quote:
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01-17-2014, 12:21 PM | #6 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 103273
Join Date: Dec 2005
Chapter/Region:
SWIC
Location: AZ
Vehicle:2002 WRX 2.15 18gxtr Sedona Red Wagon |
If your steering is vague or seems to move around while going straight, check your steering rack bushings. I replaced mine twice with OEM bushings, but they kept going bad. I finally replaced them with Whiteline sterring rack bushings and the problem was solved. Also, check those lower control arm bushings. If they need replacement it is a good opportunity to go to the firmer Subaru group n bushings. Those are a big improvement over the hollow, grease filled stock WRX bushings!
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01-17-2014, 12:51 PM | #7 |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 147637
Join Date: Apr 2007
Chapter/Region:
International
Location: PM SkimSTI for FREEEEEEEEEEEEE
Vehicle:HJ's Ask Hobbs. He knows. |
Arizona is hot and dry. Add in mileage, and that's a total nightmare for bushings.
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01-17-2014, 01:58 PM | #8 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 239917
Join Date: Mar 2010
Chapter/Region:
SWIC
Location: Does it worth it?
Vehicle:2005 STi OBP |
I've been having the same problem with my steering. Feels a bit loose and follows the curvature of the road. Ill be looking into replacing my bushings.
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01-17-2014, 03:15 PM | #9 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 244844
Join Date: Apr 2010
Chapter/Region:
SWIC
Location: Mesa, Az
Vehicle:1999 Forester S Acadia Green |
Just remember when you start replacing parts, that the next weakest link is that much more likely to break. So replacing just a few bushings at a time may not result in less "slop".
Ideally, you want to replace all of your control arm bushings at the same time - both front and rear - because they all contribute to how "tight" the steering feels. And the post about the steering rack bushings is a realy good point - the stock bushings suck. Check your sway bar endlinks as well, i have seen a few stock bolts snap when driven hard and it causes almost the same symptoms. Also, don't bother with urethane bushings unless you are making a dedicated track car. The Group-N bushings are just about perfect for DD/spirited driving. |
01-18-2014, 02:40 PM | #10 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 294466
Join Date: Sep 2011
Chapter/Region:
SWIC
Location: prescott az
Vehicle:1993 Legacy SS white |
Jack the car up, set blocks under the wheels, (enough to crawl under) have someone wiggle the steering wheel back and forth while you look for the play. I had to rebuild my steering rack because a little play eventually led to a leak @140k miles. When you reassemble it, you can index the steering wheel slightly to the right or left. You will have to get a front wheel alignment after, but this gives the rack and pinion gear fresh material where the steering is straight. Most of the wear in a rack and pinion occurs where the steering wheel is straight. There's threads on how to rebuild the rack all over.
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