This around 3 weeks ago, the steering wheel is harder to steer (heavier), car keeps pulling to the right, and it shakes even at low speeds. I had an alignment done 2-3 months ago. I checked,looked around the suspension area and couldnt find anything wrong. I did replaced both inner and outer tie rods before I got the alignment done so that should be out out of the picture. No leaks from the tie rods whatsoever. When I try to move the wheel by pushing in/out, left/right, the only thing that is moving on the passenger side that i can hear clunking is the axle going back and forth. The driver side is stiff as hell and no play.. Could a bad axle make the car do this? It really sucks.. Please help me out!

 

Anything guys? Help plz!

 

84 views and no response? Cmon people can you help me out before I go out and start replacing parts??

 

When I had an axle go bad on me at the race track, the car would intermittently pull heavily to one side. When I got back to the pit, I jacked up the front and then found a lot of play in the end joint of one of the axles. With the car jacked up, you can recheck the axles for any play in their joints, plus retry moving the wheel/tires by grasping at 6 and 12 o'clock and then at 3 and 9 o'clock, and checking for any play/movement. You mentioned that you could hear one axle going back and forth, so not sure if that means a bad joint or possibly, that that axle popped out of the trans - I think that the axles are held in place in the trans by small clips, but sometimes, they might pop out of place. Anyway, I'd suggest jacking up the car, and rechecking the axles, etc. - Jim

 

There is some type of play/movement from the axle joint. The axle is pushed all the way into the tranny so I killed that problem already. I can see the outer boot joint goes back and forth. When Im driving, the steering wheel would shake left to right, not vibrating like a bad tire. It would do that, but pull the car to the right. I can hear noises coming from the front but cant figure it out. Anyways Ill double check on the axle and thanks a lot for the response Jim!

 

i dont think it has anything to do with the axle.

do you have a manual, non powered steering?

 

Yes I do, came like this from factory. You think it could be a bad steering rack?

 

yes. you have a bad steering rack end bushing.

its a $11 part from the dealer.

it goes inside the rack housing and around the rack.

there is no need to buy a new "rebuilt" rack. it is really only this part that needs rebuilding, along with tightening and adjusting the pinion at the driver side.

 

Would that cause a hard and heavy steering as well? I was just on the highway doing 60mph and I can hear clunking/thumping noise from the passenger side. I can feel it also..

 

it would definitely cause the clunking and thumping from passenger footwell. 100% it needs replacing.

pretty much any honda your age with a manual rack needs this replaced.

its common for EF's.

 

Would it be number 9?

I tried to make the wheel turn with my hands by turning my tires/rim left to right. Man it was like a notch or something holding it back. The bushing would cause this heavy turning /steering as well?

 

A BAD BALL JOINT WILL ALSO GIVE YOU A HEAVY PULL IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES.... SHAKING THE WHEEL BACK AND FORTH AND HEARING SOMETHING MOVE WOULD BE A DEAD GIVE AWAY.... ITS PROB NOT THE AXLE MAKING NOISE ITS PROB THE BALL JOINT....

 

I replaced the lower balljoint a few months ago with a oem one from honda.. Anyways I have the car shut off on the ground, and it seems like the noise is coming from the steering rack. Let me a get a video one sec.

 

yes, number 9. "BUSHING, RACK END"

your car is going to feel like new once you replace and adjust the pinion.


dont forget to adjust the pinion. its not complete until you do so.

 

Alright Ill order that and try to replace it. THANKS Tyson!

 

Hey Tyson this what I can see. Is the bushing in there? If so I cant get it out. Should I heat it up and melt the old bushing?

 

no you shouldnt heat it up.

you take the rack out and pry it out.

you will save time doing it right. ive done it several times both ways, taking the rack out is best.

you sure you have a manual rack? i cant see past your grease.

 

Yup manual steering rack, car never came with a ps pump. I have a 96 ex and had the steering rack replaced so I can tell the difference between a manual and power steering rack. This sucks, I have to pull it out. Im pretty sure itll be easier and faster to pull the rack out compared to a ps rack. I thought it would of been a quick fix.