Loose Steering/Wheels - Help Plz?

[tbiletski]

I just bought a 92 Prelude a few weeks ago, and out of nowhere yesterday, the wheels just taking a mind of their own. The car is perfectly aligned (steering wheel kept center, the car still drives straight) but, there is a pulling feeling to the right side slightly. Now there is also more give with the wheel before the tires turn... I wouldnt say a ton of give, but niticably a lot less responsive. The tires, as well, when 70+ km/h seem to wander. Im confused, as Im not the most knowledgable car person. Im trying to get into it (just installed exhaust and cold air intake myself), and Im just about to take it to the garage. Ide just love to know what it was and how I could physically tell whats wrong before I go in, or if I dont have to go in at all and could just take care of it myself.

The tires are in great shape (few months new - 90% tread) and the tire pressure is at 35psi (the called for amoutn.)

I dont want to go into the shop and have them charge me up the ass for things I dont actually need.

Any help would be great. I saw an older post for a slightly similar issue... and there was mention of tire rod ends and ball joints. Can I physically see this, and are these things hard to get to? If I can pop off the tires and raise the car up and see them, I dont want to go much further - my father is gone for the week and hes the more car-tech person.

Any help would be much appreciated, really. Im not liking doing highway driving at 100 that much right now, and I only want to finnish the week liek this and get it fixed this weekend. Just let me know some things I can check myself for physical damage. Thanks.

 

[eg6sir]

try replacing the bushings in the front suspension..

 

[phyregod]

Could need a new rack & pinion. (steering system)

Check the rack, check your tie rods and bushings, etc, check for anything loose, center the wheels and check for loose parts. Turn to one side and repeat, then do it to the other side.

Also, with the car off, just sitting, does the steering wheel loosely play from side to side without moving the tires at all?

 

[tbiletski]

yeah,

there is some play from sitting without turning. if im sitting and take off now, once in a while the wheels will do a wobble from takeoff and center themselves once away. can I check the bushing myself, and the steering? i was told that if the rack & pinion or the pump was goign it would be more difficult to turn, not easier.

 

[tbiletski]

hey, so i drove home from work today, and it seems more a problem with steering than anything else... i dont thin kits wheel related. i raised the car and shook the wheels around, and they didnt feel loose from the ... whatever its connected too.... so im assuming its the rack and pinion maybe... would that be ur best bet? im still gonna check the physical tie rods and stuff..... to make sure...

 

[tbiletski]

so far....

So, last night I took the car home and took the wheels off and checked for loose parts. The tie rods look almost brand new, and were not loose. The ball joints were good... I cant figure it out. I got a mechanic to test drive my car and he said the rack and pinion steering was fine cause it made no noise and wasnt difficult to turn. There is more give when turning right than left... i don't understand the problem... and its pissing me off... i just want the car in perfect shape but nothing seems wrong from looking at it. Wow... cars suck. Just want my baby driving nicely again.

 

[eg6sir]

try replacing the bushings in the front suspension..

^