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I have a 1999 Saturn S series 1.9 SOHC, automatic, US. No check engine lights.
I have been trying to diagnose my loose steering for a little while now. It is a little loose when I am driving straight down the road and I feel like I’m over steering when I make a sharp turn. I’ve inspected all of the linkage under the car twice and I can’t find anything loose. When I turn my wheel it is immediately responsive, but it is still loose. The reservoir is full, and i have no trouble turning the wheel. Could it be a bad rack and pinion, or the linkage between the steering wheel and the rack?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Start the engine, turn the steering wheel until the front wheels are straight ahead and set the parking brake. Stand beside the driver’s door and move the steering wheel both ways until you see the front wheels move. If the movement is more than 1.5 inches as measured at the rim of the steering wheel rim then something is wrong.
If you live where there are seasons, this time of year temperatures fluctuate a lot and so do tire pressures. To have a good handling car you need four tires that match and inflated to the proper pressure(s).
[quote=”TrunkShop” post=131998]It takes less than an inch to move the wheel and I have checked the tire pressure.[/quote]
You have answered two of your questions, that being whether it is a bad rack or linkage between the steering wheel and rack. Those are good.
I don’t know if this is your problem but it is something to consider: Tires fall into two general classes, soft ride and handling. Soft ride will track straight, wear a long time and roll over (meaning the tread will twist due to soft sidewalls) when the steering wheel is abruptly turned rather that instantly changing the direction of travel. A handling tire will follow grooves in the road (wander), be rough and noisy, wear out soon but provide instantaneous steering response. Most tire characteristics fall somewhere between these two extremes with more being towards the soft ride tire. To make things interesting mix soft ride tires with handling tires on the same vehicle and get all sorts of crazy results, some dangerous.
Also check for the recommended tire pressure as placarded on the door post. Tire stores usually put in anything but the correct amount of air. The placard may list pressures for various sized tires as vehicles often come with optional tire sizes. Many front wheel drive vehicles are placarded with different pressures for front and rear. It is important to maintain this difference as it affects the under/over steer of the vehicle.
I’ve filled the tires myself and they are correct.
That’s interesting about the hardness of the tire. I bought them new, but they were cheap tires (Douglas I believe). Their about a year old. When I first started diagnosing this I actually wondered about the tire pressure because it felt sloppy. I have recently checked the pressure.
The problem is that it just doesn’t feel as tight as it used to. Maybe when its warmer I can inspect the rack and linkage ( I’m in northeastern Indiana).
I have had the opportunity (opportunity in some eyes, silliness in others) to run a great variety of tires on the same chassis, everything from cheap tires to various snow tires to three brands of the top performance tires made. Different tires make enormous differences in car handling.
I know what you mean by opportunity and silliness. The only reason I’ve gotten into automotive repair is because of a couple of problematic cars, now that I know I can do it myself it has become extremely rewarding( sense of accomplishment and $$$).
Mostly thanks to ETCG and you guys on the forum.
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