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Old 02-12-2013, 12:46 PM   #1
pseudodigm
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Default Steering suddenly feels very loose after snow storm

The storm may or may not be relevant. All I know is that the steering feels really loose and I need to turn it more to turn (if that makes sense.) I did a search for my problem and the best (closest to my problem) says:

"Start by checking your tie-rod ends. Could also be a loose wheel bearing. Or a problem with the steering rack."

Are those things that could happen if, saaay, one were to burst free of a bunch of snow? Not like..the full 2 feet of snow, but probably a bit still under the car (pushed by the plow or something)? I'm still very green so I don't even know what those parts are yet, but I'll do a search. But does anyone have any insight or more stuff to look for?
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Old 02-12-2013, 01:10 PM   #2
vision.dynamix
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Did you do some spins in the snow?
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Old 02-12-2013, 01:20 PM   #3
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I'm just guessing, but if your front wheels were stuck in packed snow and you forced them to turn, I wonder if something could have been damaged by the P/S pushing against the stuck wheels.

The main thing is that any issue with steering is pretty critical to diagnose and fix. If you're not very experienced, you might be safer just taking it to a mechanic.
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Old 02-12-2013, 03:12 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vision.dynamix View Post
Did you do some spins in the snow?
...maybe. Nothing drastic though. I forced a spin around a corner in a parking lot, corrected and then when on. Just a quick one.

Quote:
Originally Posted by leecea View Post
I'm just guessing, but if your front wheels were stuck in packed snow and you forced them to turn, I wonder if something could have been damaged by the P/S pushing against the stuck wheels.
I'm sorry, what's P/S?

I will say that I cleared snow from around the wheels as much as I could. I worried about my tires being frozen to the ground or something. I also did my best to get all of the snow and ice from within the wheels' voids. It was a little off balance for a bit regardless but it seemed to be clear once I got to work either because of heat or the motion.

I have to get a clutch installed soon so if I haven't figured it out I could ask them to take a look. As I understand they'll have to disconnect the axles anyway, so they'll be in the neighborhood.
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Old 02-12-2013, 03:14 PM   #5
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P/S or PS is an abbreviation for "power steering". Were you turning as hard as possible when drifting in the snow? That puts a lot of pressure on the PS pump and could possibly brake PS components.
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Old 02-12-2013, 06:28 PM   #6
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Every god damned year we get a variation of this question. Inevitably, someone was sliding around with the steering clear over against the stop and trashed their power steering system.
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Old 02-13-2013, 12:19 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by williaty View Post
Every god damned year we get a variation of this question. Inevitably, someone was sliding around with the steering clear over against the stop and trashed their power steering system.

ding-ding-DING

KIDDIES....do NOT HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED AT FULL LOCK

EVER
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Old 02-13-2013, 08:02 AM   #8
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Pardon, but I don't need your full caps, nor to be called a kiddie. I never lock the steering, I never dump the clutch...the car has 114k on it and is starting to show it. I'm 37 goddamn years old and know how to turn into a slide, particularly one that I've induced. What I did need was some mechanical advice so I could have a better idea as to what my next steps should be. I'm not a mechanic so I felt it best to ask advice and what to look for/ask about if I had to go to one and be an informed customer.

Thank you leecea and Mr Wrex, I appreciate the insight.
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Old 02-13-2013, 11:16 AM   #9
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Ignore the resident troll. He is over fed as is.


At that mileage you may look into some bushings , and have the ball joints and tie rod ends checked
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Old 02-13-2013, 07:05 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aboothman View Post
Ignore the resident troll. He is over fed as is.


At that mileage you may look into some bushings , and have the ball joints and tie rod ends checked
blow me, cupcake

and its a good thing to remember

so blow me AGAIN....you blithering idiot
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Old 02-13-2013, 07:14 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pseudodigm View Post
Pardon, but I don't need your full caps, nor to be called a kiddie. I never lock the steering, I never dump the clutch...the car has 114k on it and is starting to show it. I'm 37 goddamn years old and know how to turn into a slide, particularly one that I've induced. What I did need was some mechanical advice so I could have a better idea as to what my next steps should be. I'm not a mechanic so I felt it best to ask advice and what to look for/ask about if I had to go to one and be an informed customer.

Thank you leecea and Mr Wrex, I appreciate the insight.


was i talking to YOU??

if so...i would have made THAT glaringly apparent....i did NOT do that.
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Old 02-13-2013, 09:40 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Uncle Scotty View Post

blow me, cupcake

and its a good thing to remember

so blow me AGAIN....you blithering idiot
:tone:
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Old 02-13-2013, 11:13 PM   #13
pseudodigm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aboothman View Post
Ignore the resident troll. He is over fed as is.


At that mileage you may look into some bushings , and have the ball joints and tie rod ends checked
...moving on.

I had it looked at this afternoon and they're saying nothing is wrong. Bushings seemed undamaged, nothing bent. He drove it and said 'I don't know what it felt like before but it seems fine now...pulls to the right a bit' (which is weird considering I just had an alignment last month, but that's a different issue I guess)...

So assuming nothing is wrong (big assumption I guess) are there ways to tighten up ones steering? To make it more responsive?

Assuming something IS wrong but it's not anything obvious (and is not making a noise)...what else should I look for? Maybe I'm smoking crack, but it sure feels loose...
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Old 02-14-2013, 08:12 AM   #14
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There are plenty of mods to make your steering more responsive. Do some research, then come back to us with any supplementary questions you may have. If you want, you can call (513) 860-3508 and tell them your budget plus what area you want to tighten up.
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Old 02-14-2013, 09:41 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pseudodigm View Post
... are there ways to tighten up ones steering? To make it more responsive?
Just FYI, the most common change is to replace the soft rubber steering rack bushings with harder models available from companies like Whiteline. That stops the rack moving slightly from side to side.

Not sure if you've noticed an effect that used to be called "memory steer" when the wheel would be slightly off center after a hard turn one way, then centered after turning hard the opposite way. The rack was shifting very slightly under cornering loads. When I changed to harder rack bushings, that went away.
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Old 02-15-2013, 09:39 AM   #16
pseudodigm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by leecea View Post
Just FYI, the most common change is to replace the soft rubber steering rack bushings with harder models available from companies like Whiteline. That stops the rack moving slightly from side to side.

Not sure if you've noticed an effect that used to be called "memory steer" when the wheel would be slightly off center after a hard turn one way, then centered after turning hard the opposite way. The rack was shifting very slightly under cornering loads. When I changed to harder rack bushings, that went away.
Yes! I absolutely get that. Looking and reading about those, it sounds perfect, thanks! Do you require an alignment after you install these? If so, perhaps I'll have them installed by someone else.
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