When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hello, fellow H-T'ers. I have a 1998 Honda Civic hatchback DX Automatic all stock with power steering. I have been having weird steering issues so I will list my symptoms.
1. "Dead Zone" from 11 o'clock steering to about 1 o'clock where steering input does nothing at all. And in this zone, the steering is very loose and sloppy.
2. The wheels sometimes have a mind of their own and wander left and right and make me constantly re-correct the wheel to keep my car from veering off the road. Sometimes I have to hold at 1 o'clock to go straight and sometimes it'll switch to 11 o'clock. Sudden acceleration will cause it to switch sometimes too.
3. Front wheel has play at the 9 and 3 o'clock points but none at 12.
May I also point out that a shop told me my inner tie rods are "seized" and the boot is completely gone from the joint as well.
BUT... my mechanic told me the slop and dead zone is from a bad rack so I don't know anymore...
Notes: I have no grinds, whines, snaps, crackles, pops or any other noise when turning... all smooth and noise-free other than the sloppiness.
How did these problems come about? Did you have an accident? Have you been working on the front suspension, axles, or tie rods?
Originally Posted by Bleakened
1. "Dead Zone" from 11 o'clock steering to about 1 o'clock where steering input does nothing at all. And in this zone, the steering is very loose and sloppy
2. The wheels sometimes have a mind of their own and wander left and right and make me constantly re-correct the wheel to keep my car from veering off the road. Sometimes I have to hold at 1 o'clock to go straight and sometimes it'll switch to 11 o'clock. Sudden acceleration will cause it to switch sometimes too.
3. Front wheel has play at the 9 and 3 o'clock points but none at 12.
Sounds like a bad wheel bearing.
May I also point out that a shop told me my inner tie rods are "seized" and the boot is completely gone from the joint as well.
DO NOT DRIVE any more like that. It could suddenly get worse and cause a crash.
Basically go through the service manual steps that Ron posted.
Take the boot off (inside the car at the firewall) and see if anything is loose in the column-- the two u-joints and associated bolts. The bottom u-joint and the pinion shaft must move immediately when you turn the wheel even slightly.
Make sure the rack is securely attached to the car frame.
For the wheel bearing, take the wheel off and see if there is any looseness between the hub/brake rotor and the knuckle. That would mean a bad bearing. If it is that loose you would almost certainly have a lot of noise whenever the car is rolling.
If the knuckle moves without turning the steering wheel look closely to see if it is one of the tie rod joints or the rack itself.
If you DIY the repair make sure to remove the steering wheel and clock spring and set it aside before detaching the column u-joints from the rack. Then when you have the new parts in, point the wheels straight ahead and follow the manual for re-installing the clock spring. The clock spring will be damaged by having it installed and letting the wheel turn out of sync with the rack.
Sorry, one of them is clear but the other I couldn't get very well because it's dark and I have a backyard redneck boot on it made from duct tape that I was trying to hold back lol.
I have not checked anything that Ron has suggested yet but will try to tomorrow as far as I can. (I have never messed with the steering system before except changing my outer tie ends)
Just to add, if your toe settings are off,
(from either a camber kit or replacing tie rods)
It will cause steering problems like you are experiencing.
Double check and tighten steering rack like Ron mentioned also.
And get them inners replaced, damn....
I almost forgot to say that I have replaced my outer tie rods and do need an alignment still but I didn't have this dead zone or sloppiness until recently. I didn't have it for quite a while after throwing my alignment off.
Do your tires have any abnormal or uneven tire wear?
And is your car stock, lowered, camber kit, etc.?
I have toe wear from a bad alignment that still isn't fixed yet.
Originally Posted by RonJ
How did these problems come about? Did you have an accident? Have you been working on the front suspension, axles, or tie rods?
They just sort of started showing up all of a sudden one day. No accidents but I had replaced the tie rod ends a few weeks ago and estimated a new toe alignment that is yet to be fixed. Inner tie rods are bad and exposed but no noises from them yet. The tie rod ends were replaced weeks ago and these symptoms just started maybe 3 days ago though.
just saw this or i wouldve offered you the steering tool.
it did make a good difference in feel for me.
tighten down the 40mm nut then back off til you dont feel the notch
when turning the steering wheel.
anybody else want mine just pm since once every 20 years is enough imho lol.
Hello, fellow H-T'ers. I have a 1998 Honda Civic hatchback DX Automatic all stock with power steering. I have been having weird steering issues so I will list my symptoms.
1. "Dead Zone" from 11 o'clock steering to about 1 o'clock where steering input does nothing at all. And in this zone, the steering is very loose and sloppy.
2. The wheels sometimes have a mind of their own and wander left and right and make me constantly re-correct the wheel to keep my car from veering off the road. Sometimes I have to hold at 1 o'clock to go straight and sometimes it'll switch to 11 o'clock. Sudden acceleration will cause it to switch sometimes too.
3. Front wheel has play at the 9 and 3 o'clock points but none at 12.
May I also point out that a shop told me my inner tie rods are "seized" and the boot is completely gone from the joint as well.
BUT... my mechanic told me the slop and dead zone is from a bad rack so I don't know anymore...
Notes: I have no grinds, whines, snaps, crackles, pops or any other noise when turning... all smooth and noise-free other than the sloppiness.
So, any ideas, H-T?
Replace the rack and pinion and flush the hell out of the system
Stock 98 Civic hatchback DX Automatic - Loose Steering
