Steering issue?

[Jeluthadamaja]

Hi, I have a question in regards to steering tightness. I have a high mileage 2004 4x4 sport edition and have lately noticed that the steering seems loose when I hit a bump in the road. When the road is smooth, it tracks straight as an arrow. There is no abnormal tire wear either. I thought I would jack up the front end and do a little bit of investigation, so I did that today. The only possible issue I see is that it is very easy to steer the wheels just by tugging on them. At first I thought the inner tie rods were bad, but when I push/pull on the 3 o clock and 9 o clock parts of either front wheel, I can see my steering wheel turning too. I did this with the engine on and off but it did not make a difference. This doesn't seem right to me, but I may be incorrect?... What would be the issue if there is something wrong.

Thanks in advance!

 

[dereky]

Hi, I have a question in regards to steering tightness. I have a high mileage 2004 4x4 sport edition and have lately noticed that the steering seems loose when I hit a bump in the road. When the road is smooth, it tracks straight as an arrow. There is no abnormal tire wear either. I thought I would jack up the front end and do a little bit of investigation, so I did that today. The only possible issue I see is that it is very easy to steer the wheels just by tugging on them. At first I thought the inner tie rods were bad, but when I push/pull on the 3 o clock and 9 o clock parts of either front wheel, I can see my steering wheel turning too. I did this with the engine on and off but it did not make a difference. This doesn't seem right to me, but I may be incorrect?... What would be the issue if there is something wrong.

Thanks in advance!

It shouldn't be too tough to turn the wheels when lifted up.

Any clunking?

 

[WXman]

Mine is currently doing the same thing. I think it's worse on the passenger side. I suspect that the ball joint(s) and/or the tie rod end is worn out. I will jack mine up after work today and wiggle my tire and see if there is excessive play in the joints.

If you have worn joints you need to get those replaced soon. Worn joints can lead to serious accidents.

 

[Jeluthadamaja]

Thanks for the info. Mine doesn't seem to have excessive play, at least nothing super noticeable when I picked up the front end. It still just doesn't feel right when I drive it though. Just for comparison, I experimented with my moms CRV that was next to me in the garage and it does the same thing when I push/pull on the wheels, so I guess that is normal. Just to be safe I will probably take my runner in to a front end specialist sometime this week to get an expert opinion. I will be sure and post what they find out.

 

[stevec5000]

Thanks for the info. Mine doesn't seem to have excessive play, at least nothing super noticeable when I picked up the front end. It still just doesn't feel right when I drive it though. Just for comparison, I experimented with my moms CRV that was next to me in the garage and it does the same thing when I push/pull on the wheels, so I guess that is normal. Just to be safe I will probably take my runner in to a front end specialist sometime this week to get an expert opinion. I will be sure and post what they find out.

Mine is also too easy to steer and bumps in the road tend to make it veer off a straight line. Getting the front end aligned helped it a little but I think it needs a steering stabilizer.

 

[earthrealm]

i hear clasnks when i drive on bumps....and also there is some play 3 to 9 oclock....all on the front passenger side...what could be wrong?