VERY loose handling

[GotToyota?]

I've driven my car for awhile like this, which I feel bad for doing, but my steering feels REALLY loose. The steering wheel has abit of play when driving, and the car handles like a dog. I also get clanking noises coming from the front, and I know my rack and pinion is bad (getting fixed soon). Could there be any other problems besides the rack and pinion, like ball joints, wheel bearings, etc?

-Matt

 

[Superjustin13]

well bearing u should hear a squeel if its going out, and if its your ball Joint, pull your wheel off and play with it if theres Freeplay its a sign saying get new ball joints

 

[againstdawall06]

actually wheel bearings are more like a hum. if its in one wheel it will get louder when you turn one way and quiter when you turn the other. and it could also be a case of tie rod ends. with the car lifter up turn the wheel with your hand an inch or two each way with you hands at 3 and 9 o'clock. look for places that the wheel is moving sepratly from the tie rods. then do the same thing but from 12 and 6 and check there play there. you can pretty much see were the play is on your suspension.

 

[SySt]

Hmm... Very loose steering and crappy handling along with a clanking... Check underneath the front end. Sounds like maybe your sway bar is disconnected either because the nut came off a link on one side or something broke.

 

[bwest]

i would say check your lower a-arm bushings (right side especially). lift car up and tug wheel - if it rocks back and forth then you'll know.... SP bushings from 935 are a good deal if you don't want the whole set from suprasport

 

[GotToyota?]

Thanks guys, I'm gonna be jacking up the car in a few and looking at it myself. BTW, how would the bad rack and pinion come into play here?

-Matt

 

[SySt]

It could be the reason for the noise and the play in the steering wheel. I just can not see it making the car handle that crappy unless it is not turning both wheels. For that to happen the rack shaft would have to be broken, basically...

 

[GotToyota?]

Alright, I'm about to check it out.

-Matt

 

[GotToyota?]

Took a look at it about an hour ago. The sway bars and bushings are fine, it's just my rack and pinion, which I'll be getting replaced.

-Matt