Hey guys,

I've searched and cannot find a thread for the problem I am experiencing. I made a U-turn today and when I straightened the wheel out, the car was driving straight but the wheels was "centered" 90 degrees to the left of center. I took it to my girlfriends apartment and messed around with it in the parking lot. Doing sharp turns both left and right resulted in the same. 90 degrees or so to the right or left while the wheels were pointed straight. I was not experiencing loose steering or anything out of the ordinary while I was on the highway, but it is consistenly doing this. Anybody know what could be wrong? Is something loose that I simply need to tighten? I have to be back at my school by 1130 tonight, so i am trying to figure out if I need to leave my CRX at my girlfriend's place and have her drive me back... Let me know what ya'll think....

After a left U-turn


After a sharp right turn

 

pop off the steering wheel and see if the grooves are stripped...!!!

 

Yea, just pop out the H on your wheel and make a turn and see if the steering wheel is turning on the shaft. If not sounds like your rack and pinion is bad.

 

Whatever it is definitely keep us updated.

 

and dont drive it until you figure out what is wrong, that is dangerous. it WILL be your fault if you continue to drive and crash and hurt someone.

 

Taking it to the shop on Tuesday. I will let you know what happened.

 

save yourself the shop diagnostic charge and check this first.

 

check the connection were the steering rack meets the pinion check to see if it stripped or the bolt is loose

 

Yes check this first. There is a U-joint down by the pedals that slips over both the steering column and the steering pinion. If the bolts came out, the U-joint could have slid down allowing the steering to skip. Make sure that connection is solid top and bottom. It's #13 in the pic below...

Other than that, a stripped steering wheel, a broken tooth inside the steering gearbox, or a busted U joint on the steering column could also cause problems. The car is not safe to drive like this.

 

Regardless - you shouldn't EVER "dead-head" your rack and pinion - it's not good for the entire system.

 

What does this mean?

 

Food for thought...

Just imagine your rack and pinion instead of the guys hand. If you read down a couple paragraphs it explains it.

http://www.fluidpowersafety.com/fpsi_alert-32.html

 

Aw gross.

 

Did you at least read the part that explained what it was?

 

Yes I read the whole thing. Good info. I still got the ******* though.