Hey guys,
Whenever my car hits small bumps of goes over those sewer holes my steering rattles like crazy. Seems as if the wheel is rattling and same with the steering wheel. What can it be? The steering gearbox? THe tie rod/tie rod ends? I jsut noticed that the steering wheel play has increased

I have a lowered car.

WILL ENERGY SUSPENSION BUSHINGS HELP? I just ordered a set

My steering has play when im on the highway also


Any suggestions/advice would help alot


[Modified by G2-Rex, 1:31 PM 1/24/2003]


[Modified by G2-Rex, 9:37 PM 1/25/2003]

 

Maybe the UCA balljoints.

 

damn, what is causing it to happen

 

ttt

 

I posted something similar, I have been chasing that problem for months--I replaced everything but the upper control arms----I bought brand new ones last week and threw em in----problem solved------but for u it could be a # of things that are worn.

 

Wheel bearings?

 

ok well how much did those upper arms cost ya? im thinkin of getting enrgy suspension kit you think that will help?

 

how much did it cost to change everything? so does it drive like new now?
and did u change the steering components as well?

 

anyone?

 

Lowered cars are hell on ball joints. The bushings will help a lot of things (Wheelhop, loose feeling front end) but perhaps not your problem.

Jack the car up, take a rubber hammer out, and start hitting joints till you figure out which ones are giving you play.

If all else fails, it could be your entire sterring shaft has loosened. Though, I doubt it. Cause you would have also told us it has play at the dead zone. (loose wheel while cruising straight at highway speeds)

 

Since your rex is schlammed youll have to raise the front end up so you can grab the part of the knuckle that conects to the upper control arm and pretend your strangling someones neck , if it wobbles around its the ball joint in uca when i got my rex the uca ball joint was so **** that there was like 1cm of play!

 

Try this. Jack the car up so the tire is an inch or two off the road. Then put a large pry bar or crowbar under the tire. Lift up and down on the bar and see where the play is coming from (upper control arm bushings or lower ball joint. Then grab the tire and jerk it left and right to check the play in the tie rod ends. Good luck and tell us what you find.

 

i was driving along the highway and yes there was still play. i want to stiffen up the steering and improve my handling..... so what should i do? EXACTLY? Ill take a look under my car soon when i do an oil change

 

Change out your stock rubber bushing for poly bushings.

 

yeah ill do that first. and ill chase down the problem until it is fixed.... i dont want bad steering if i plan on taking my car to the track

 

up

 

i need a bit more info

 

check your tie rods. mine was doing the same thing. it doesn't do it anymore. i also replaced all the bushings and the rear lower control arms. car feels much better.

 

how much do these cost:
1. Upper Contro Arms
2. Ball joints
3. Lower control arms

 

expect to pay about 600$ with labor included to get em all installed if you aren't doing it yourself from a honda dealer. if you are doing it yourself you can get the parts cheaper off the net.

 

where can i get these parts off the net? im going to do it myself

 

Read this: http://www.suspension.com/tips.htm
Go here: http://www.suspension.com/civic.htm

Just do a web search "honda polyurethane bushings".

 

thanks. im hoping that the ES kit works. i think ill replace alll the ball joints and tie rod ends as well

 

where can i get new Upper arms? who makes these

 

before thinking about buying ES poly bushings, figure out where your slop is coming from. this can come from a lot of things in the front suspension and steering. you need to put the front end on jackstands and start feeling around. check the balljoints, wheel bearing (i dont think this is your problem) and steering rack bushing (which nobody has mentioned). just grab onto whatever part you want to check and give it a sharp tug. with the wheel on and in the air, grab it and shake the wheel at the 12/6 and 3/6 o clock positions. grab the tie rod (piece that links the steering), and push it up. inspect for torn boots around the axle and balljoints. also, while in the car, move the steering wheel left and right and feel/hear for clunks.

do all this and let me know what and where you find play in the suspension. then you can think about what you need to replace and how much it will cost.