Hello all.
When turning the car, there's a slight back and forth jiggle on the steering
wheel. It's almost like the tires are out of balance. I have new tires on
the car, and I know the mechanic that put them on. So I trust it's not the
tires. Besides, the problem was there before the tires were put on, but at
the time, I suspected it was a tire issue.
Also, when I first start the car in the AM, and put the car in drive,
there's kind of a groaning noise coming from the engine area. The RPM's of
course are still higher than normal at this point because the engine isn't
fully warm. I hear the same thing when I put the car in reverse and have to
turn the wheel. After the car warms up, the groan is not present.
Is this a power steering issue? A rack issue? Or possibly both?

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Thanks!
Doug
DC3Gooney - 29 Jun 2004 10:41 GMT
Not quite enough info for a diagnosis THIS way ~
If you hold the car in a constant turn, low speed
(holding the steering wheel still), are you saying the
steering wheel wobbles?
If so, suspect a bent road wheel, or a binding in one
of the outer C.V. joints.
Lift the front wheels clear of the ground, and have an
assistant "drive" the car in 1st gear, while you observe
the tire tread and wheel rim ~
DC3
>Hello all.
>
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
>Is this a power steering issue? A rack issue? Or possibly both?
Stewart DIBBS - 01 Jul 2004 15:40 GMT
> If so, suspect a bent road wheel, or a binding in one
> of the outer C.V. joints.
Outer CV wear usually shows first as a vibration, later clicking when
turning. INNER CV wear (usually binding) is the cause of the wobble in the
steering wheel. You can check with the wheels off the road. If there's more
than about 2mm of rotational slop in the inner CV vs the axle, replace the
whole drive shaft with a rebuilt unit.
Stewart DIBBS