Steering issue, almost wrecked - help !
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: New Smyrna Beach FL
Steering issue, almost wrecked - help !
Driving to work this morning, took a hard right corner pretty fast
and about half way through the car seemed to shimy a little and it felt like the front wheels were binding / locking up. I slowed down and got through the turn, a minute later I was turning right into my work parking lot and the car pretty much went 45 degrees instead of turning the way it should. I had to slam the brakes on because the car went into the other lane.
I'm decent at diagnosing engine issues but am not much in the steering / suspension department...checked power steering fluid and it
was fine, popped the hood and everything looked ok from a first glance. Started the car and turned the wheels with the hood up, almost looked as if one wheel turned quicker than the other but it's hard to tell from standing at the drivers side. I put 275's on the front and 315's on the back about a month ago but no issues till now. It's a 95 auto. Any suggestions ? Maybe a brake locking up ? This is my 4th c4 and have never had any issues...I have to somehow get this car home to look at it.
Thanks,
Meloyelo90
and about half way through the car seemed to shimy a little and it felt like the front wheels were binding / locking up. I slowed down and got through the turn, a minute later I was turning right into my work parking lot and the car pretty much went 45 degrees instead of turning the way it should. I had to slam the brakes on because the car went into the other lane.
I'm decent at diagnosing engine issues but am not much in the steering / suspension department...checked power steering fluid and it
was fine, popped the hood and everything looked ok from a first glance. Started the car and turned the wheels with the hood up, almost looked as if one wheel turned quicker than the other but it's hard to tell from standing at the drivers side. I put 275's on the front and 315's on the back about a month ago but no issues till now. It's a 95 auto. Any suggestions ? Maybe a brake locking up ? This is my 4th c4 and have never had any issues...I have to somehow get this car home to look at it.
Thanks,
Meloyelo90
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 0
From: Sebastian Florida
St. Jude Donor '06
I am guessing you took the 2nd corner like the 1st, in that you went pretty fast.
One of bad problems with putting wide tires in the front is that when suspension components start going out, real wide tires amplify the problem, not to mention help shorten the life of your suspension, There is a reason why GM and other manufactures put on a certain size tire. One being cornering and another being suspension durability.
You probably have ball joint, tie rod problems; it should be fine to drive home if you take care.
Have you recently removed a tire?
Loose lug nuts can cause all kinds of problems and you definitely do not a front tire to come off.
One of bad problems with putting wide tires in the front is that when suspension components start going out, real wide tires amplify the problem, not to mention help shorten the life of your suspension, There is a reason why GM and other manufactures put on a certain size tire. One being cornering and another being suspension durability.
You probably have ball joint, tie rod problems; it should be fine to drive home if you take care.
Have you recently removed a tire?
Loose lug nuts can cause all kinds of problems and you definitely do not a front tire to come off.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 13,269
Likes: 0
From: Sharpsburg Georgia
GA Events Coordinator
Means on a rollback.
It sounds like it has all ready tried to kill you so please tell me you are not thinking of trying to drive it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,874
Likes: 0
From: Littleton CO
275 up front is not excessively wide, as it came stock on many C4s. I wouldn't consider them to be part of the problem or the cause of abnormal wear. This is not to contradict your point that certain problems will be more evident than with 255's or so.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,455
Likes: 6
From: MichAgain
Jack the front up, grab the wheels with hands at 12 and 6 and shake. Do it again with hands at 3 and 9. If there's any movement...
Ball joints
Spindle/Hub bearings
Spindle nut loose
Lug nuts loose (already verified though)
Be safe
Ball joints
Spindle/Hub bearings
Spindle nut loose
Lug nuts loose (already verified though)
Be safe
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: New Smyrna Beach FL
Thanks for all the help...I'm gonna jack her up this afternoon and look for play in the wheels. And yes I think I'm going to attempt to drive it home, feeling brave but will drive very slow !
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 13,269
Likes: 0
From: Sharpsburg Georgia
GA Events Coordinator
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 13
From: Wallingford Vermont
I'm trying to follow your description... It sounds like you're describing "morning sickness". It's when you rack & pinion get worn and you temporarily loose all assist.
GM racks were notorious for this as the piston rides in aluminum and wears. A rebuilt Rack & pininion will have a steel sleeve.
GM racks were notorious for this as the piston rides in aluminum and wears. A rebuilt Rack & pininion will have a steel sleeve.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: New Smyrna Beach FL
Update: More Trouble !
OK, so I got the car home with no issues. Decided to drive it that night locally at low speed to see if I could duplicate the problem...and after about the same amount of driving time the problem happened again. Seems like after 25 - 30 minutes the steering breaks down. This time I was at a stop sign, went to turn right, and the steering wheel wouldn't move - then it moved about an inch, and stopped again. Had to back the car up and turn at an angle. So from what I can figure it appears the suspension is OK, and maybe as a couple have stated the rack and pinion is worn ?
Is this common on C4's ? I've had four, three with many more miles and no problem like this. This car is a 95 with approx. 45k miles.
I guess if the consensus is the rack and pinion with a case of 'morning sickness', is this a job I can handle in my driveway ? Anyone know the best place to pick up a rebuilt unit ?
Thanks very much again to everyone helping out !!!
Mike
meloyelo90@yahoo.com
Is this common on C4's ? I've had four, three with many more miles and no problem like this. This car is a 95 with approx. 45k miles.
I guess if the consensus is the rack and pinion with a case of 'morning sickness', is this a job I can handle in my driveway ? Anyone know the best place to pick up a rebuilt unit ?
Thanks very much again to everyone helping out !!!
Mike
meloyelo90@yahoo.com
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: New Smyrna Beach FL
Update
Just wanted to let everyone know after putting in a can of Lucas Power steering stop leak, (supposed to correct Rack & Pinion issues).
it's been a week and no more problems so far.
Won't be a permanent solution but for now it's working great
it's been a week and no more problems so far.
Won't be a permanent solution but for now it's working great
