Loose steering, car suddenly pulls left/right, need help Options

[azian_advanced]

hey guys, i need some input regarding a steering problem that i have. when i drive straight and hold the steering wheel steadily, there are times when the car will drive straight then suddenly pull slightly to the left or right... not by too much, but just slightly enough that i can correct it by countersteering. it happens while driving at any speed. the steering wheel feels normal, like it's not loose or anything when i turn.

1. if my alignment is off, wouldn't it just keep pulling to 'one' side? not both.

2. how do i determine if the ball joint is bad?

3. how do i know if the tierods are bad? <-- my intuition says this is the culprit

4. how do i know if my whole steering rack is f***ed? i hope this isn't the case.

can anyone give me some pointers to narrow down this problem? it's scary to drive (especially with the icy roads here) with this problem. any input will be greatly appreciated. thanks

[hurley97]

hey guys, i need some input regarding a steering problem that i have. when i drive straight and hold the steering wheel steadily, there are times when the car will drive straight then suddenly pull slightly to the left or right... not by too much, but just slightly enough that i can correct it by countersteering. it happens while driving at any speed. the steering wheel feels normal, like it's not loose or anything when i turn.

1. if my alignment is off, wouldn't it just keep pulling to 'one' side? not both.

2. how do i determine if the ball joint is bad?

3. how do i know if the tierods are bad? <-- my intuition says this is the culprit

4. how do i know if my whole steering rack is f***ed? i hope this isn't the case.

can anyone give me some pointers to narrow down this problem? it's scary to drive (especially with the icy roads here) with this problem. any input will be greatly appreciated. thanks

1. yes so that's probably not it.

2. ball joints will sometimes make a noise over bumps, the boots will be leaking, if you unbolt the control arm from it and feel how it moves it should be relatively stiff. Although it's more of a problem when going in an up and down motion like bumps.

3. if you jack up the car, get the wheels off the ground and move the wheels from side to side. if you can move the wheel some before it actually moves the tie rod into the rack then theres too much play in it and that's your problem. Then you just have to feel if its the inner or outter tie rod end.

4. if the tie rods aren't whats bad.