93vetteC4

Hello all,

-- Longtime lurker, new poster.

I have a 93 C4 with some interesting issues with my steering. I have quite a bit of steering play all the time -- but my most concerning issue is that the alignment (wheel straight on position) will change after taking sharp curves.

For instance, I go around a right turn very fast, my wheel will now be 5 degrees right when driving straight.

On the interstate, if I go over a bridge and it is a left hand turning bridge I will feel the wheel abruptly change direction upon hitting the long straight bump that is usually present at the start of a bridge. This can be terrifying sometimes, and after exiting this turn my wheel will now be 5 degrees left when driving.

The car drives straight, no pull, and I've had it aligned by multiple shops.

I had some play in the front wheels when shaking them up and down when the car is jacked up, so I replaced all of the ball joints. I also had a shop tell me that the ball joints were the cause of my steering issues. Fixing the ball joints did nothing for my issues.

I've had another shop tell me that it was the steering rack.

I can't feel any play in the outer tie rods when jacking the car up.

What would cause this type of issue? Should I just go ahead and replace all of the steering components (rack, tie rods)?

Kevova

One of the disappoints in the excellent C4 suspension is a "rag" joint is used to attach rack to steering shaft. I would look there.

93vetteC4

Wouldn't the faulty rag cause an overall slop in steering, but not necessarily the alignment shift?

drcook

There is something moving in your suspension. I had a 1990 5.0 Mustang that could not hold an alignment, the tops of the struts were moving.

Take a look in where the shims are on the top a-arms. Check if all is tight. Then check the bushings holding the rack in place.

It could be the rack itself. I had another car if you bumped up against the stops it would change the position of the wheel.

Can you put it up on jack stands and watch from underneath as a couple helpers hold the steering wheel and the others push and pull on the wheels ?

Jeff78

Make sure that the bushings holding the rack to the frame have no slop. Check it by having someone move the steering wheel several inches back and fourth while watching for side to side movement of the rack from underneath.

93vetteC4

For anyone looking at this post who have the same issues, I believe that it is the bushings as Jeff78 mentioned. I am trying those now and will see what happens.

jmgtp