NighthawkBlack

Ive had steering vibrations for a couple of years now when I brake and when I drive at all speeds. Its not really bad now but i decided to check all the suspension links etc. I didnt jack the car up but the only parts that move are the two arms on the power steering rack. The inner ends are threaded with a nut and the other end is like a ball joint. Its those outer ball joint arms that I can spin forward and backwards about 180 degrees. Should they move like that? Its the only parts that moved but not in and out just around forwards and backwards. I dont know if the wheels need to be off the ground to check those links but if anyone can check their power steering ends to see if they spin like that. Its not my wheels or tires as Ive had 4 different combinations with the same result.

Thanks

Rajca

iTrader: (8)

the tie rod ends should not spin 180degrees. they will move a couple degree if u try to spin it. shake your tire from side to side.
your hand<(tire)>other hand
their should be no movement.

NighthawkBlack

I say 180 because I can move it between 70 and 90 degrees each way from the level position. For the wheel shake, do I have to lift the car to do this? If not they dont move.

I also noticed I cant find those tie rods listed online, can they be purchased seperately or do you have to buy the whole rack?


Thanks

Rajca

iTrader: (8)

70degrees is way too much. the car has to be lifted. to make it easier on your self. go to a sears auto center or pepboys and tell them u want an steering/ suspension or alignment check. i know sears does a steering/suspension check for free(i work there)and i think pepboys still has alignment checks for free(used to work there) and they will tell u whats wrong with the car.

NighthawkBlack

would anyone be willing to grab the tie rod from the power steering and see if it spins forward and backwards for me? I am wondering if the problem is that tie rod or the power steering internals. Can anyone tell me if that tie rod is sold seperately? I will change them if someone confirms theirs doesnt spin but since I thought the ball joint can move around a lot when detached, then it would make sense to me that it can move forward and back wards. if it has a set line of travel( more like a hole type bushing) then I could see why it wouldnt. The only reason it through me off was since no other tie rod, link or bushing could move with my stregnth while the weight of the car was on the wheels.

Someone please check yours, Thanks

fsttyms1

They are designed to move in all directions. Its a ball joint. They should have a little movement but not much and it should require effort to do so. If they are sloppy loose they should be replaced.

mklaudt

Does it vibrate more when you brake?? Warped front rotors could do that, but of course wouldn't explain why it vibrates when you're driving at all speeds...

NighthawkBlack

Ive giving up on thinking its rotors or wheel balancing tires etc. I had so many sets of wheels and tires and changed brembo rotors GT kit in front twice when they were at min and still have issue. Im going to lift my wifes 04 accord and check the same parts that should be a good indicator. If they barely move Ill post my findings. I get the part at the end that is a ball joint and that should move around but the other end is attached to the rack, and other than up and down, I dont see why it should twist at all except mayb a few degrees so it doesnt snap.

carlos gonzales

I have a 02 tl-p and the part you are referring to also turns on mine. Then again, i have similar problems with my car with you. My steering wheel feels loose and i am getting some strange vibrations at high speeds (not all the time tho). I have changed all ball joints and both axles and this is still happening.
I am hoping someone to tell us that this part is not supposed to move at all and that their tl is working perfect.
Someone!!! please!!!

NighthawkBlack

I want to know if changing them will stop the loose spining or if its something internal in the rack. Being that you have that problem too, I think I will change mine and see if it corrects it.

Gfaze

It sounds like you have bad tie rod ends. I'm assuming that by loose steering you mean that the steering wheel has play. In other words, you're able to turn the steering wheel back and forth a little bit without any response at the wheels.

ssmtl2nv

iTrader: (2)

struts???

NighthawkBlack

No its not the struts, on my second set although they are set to the softest setting. I think Ill start with the tie rod ends on the rack and pinion and if that doesnt change it, Ill change the drive shafts and the uper and lower controll arm. Even at idle speed, it always feels like I am wobbling but I know the rims arent bent unless a front or rear axle is, Many years ago a lady pushed her tls into my rear wheel but it was so light she grazed it changing lanes after being stopped next to a car that was next to me. Could a 5mph tap cause something like this? If so what do you change on the back wheels? I think since it wobbles a lot when braking and a little when driving, plus steering is very loose feeling, it must be in the front somewhere.

fsttyms1

Start with the tie rod ends. You may want to bring it in to an alignment shop and tell them of your situation and they can then inspect every thing and maybe save you time and money in the long run buy finding out exactly what it is.

carlos gonzales

Let us know how it turns out about the tie rod ends, i am very curious aswell if this part is supposed to move.
thanks

NighthawkBlack

Is there a special tool to set the new band bellows when I change the tie rod ends since I will also change the racks end sets as these look like they are what spin too much and shouldn't. I tested my wheel and I can move it left and right quickly and still go straight so I think those parts are done. If someone can tell me how the band is clamped so I dont start something I cant finish.


Can the upper and lower control arms contribute to loose and unresponsive steering or just these parts? Wy are there two different size pin splits? Each part calls for two except the left and right ties rods (different part #s)

53537-S84-A01 RUBBER, STOPPER
53536-S84-A01 WASHER, TIE ROD LOCK
53010-S84-A01 END SET, RACK
91411-S84-A01 NUT, HEX. (14MM)
53560-S84-A01 END, L. TIE ROD
53540-S84-A01 END, R. TIE ROD
94030-10080 NUT, HEX. (10MM)
94201-20220 PIN, SPLIT (2.0X22)
94201-20350 PIN, SPLIT (2.0X35)
53534-S0K-A01 DUST SEAL, TIE ROD
53434-S84-A01 CLIP, STEERING TIE ROD
53449-S0K-A01 BAND, BELLOWS