AMCRambler
Diamond Member
I've been having some issues with the steering and it seems to have gotten worse recently. The best I can describe it the car seems to be pulling in random directions. Sometimes to the left, other times to the right. Seems to want to keep pulling a certain way if I've just turned the wheels in that direction, for instance changing lanes or turning. Its only noticeable when you get up to speed though, say 30-40 mph. I'll have to hold the wheel a couple degrees in a particular direction to keep the car heading straight and then if I go over some uneven pavement suddenly it might be the other direction the car wants to go in.
Had a similar problem with the car seeming to want to wander at highway speeds back in the summer and I tracked that to the tie rod ends. Passenger side had about 1/2 in of play in it. Replaced those, got the car aligned and it was alot better. Now things seem to have gone to shit again.
Crawled under today to poke and prod and everything seems tight. I jacked one side, then the other and pushed and pulled to check tie rods and ball joints and there's no play. Then I put both wheels up and worked the rack back and forth and it feels fine. No binding or popping. Bushings all looked good. The only thing I could see wrong was the grease covers on the end links were torn.
Ordered up some Pedders end links and poly sway bar bushings. We'll see what that does. Slim chance that will fix it. Also picked up the diff insert bushing for the rear as I've heard that tends to quiet down the clunky ass end on the car. If that doesn't do it, may be time for a trip to the alignment shop again.
Feel free to throw out any other ideas. I've got nothing. Hope the rack hasn't shit the bed.
Had a similar problem with the car seeming to want to wander at highway speeds back in the summer and I tracked that to the tie rod ends. Passenger side had about 1/2 in of play in it. Replaced those, got the car aligned and it was alot better. Now things seem to have gone to shit again.
Crawled under today to poke and prod and everything seems tight. I jacked one side, then the other and pushed and pulled to check tie rods and ball joints and there's no play. Then I put both wheels up and worked the rack back and forth and it feels fine. No binding or popping. Bushings all looked good. The only thing I could see wrong was the grease covers on the end links were torn.
Ordered up some Pedders end links and poly sway bar bushings. We'll see what that does. Slim chance that will fix it. Also picked up the diff insert bushing for the rear as I've heard that tends to quiet down the clunky ass end on the car. If that doesn't do it, may be time for a trip to the alignment shop again.
Feel free to throw out any other ideas. I've got nothing. Hope the rack hasn't shit the bed.
