buzlink

I have been combating a problem for sometime, of my steering wheel being very loose and wiggly feeling. As of recently my car has become very unstable while driving from a take off as well when driving on the highway with windy conditions. When I take off the car bounces from left to right, very sporadically and can be even worse when road conditions are bumpy. To correct this I have to pay special attention to my steering and correct this before I jump into another lane. This is very frustrating as my steering wheel isn't as accurate as it use to be.

What do I need to replace/fix to get rid of this problem?
92 Civic Sedan DX

RedlineBoyzCRX

You Tie Rods on your car are probably worn to hell. It is a 92 and I doubt anyone has ever replaced them. What you have to do is jack your car up and see if the wheel wiggles side to side . You might feel a slight movement, but in your case proabbly alot of movement. If it wiggles back and forth up and down, then your ball joints are worn too.

Go to your local auto parts store and buy new tie rods for it, they are VERY simple to install. You may have to borrow or rent a pickel fork to get off your old one. Anyways, after your done installing them, take your car ASAP to get it aligned, as your alignment won't be perfect. This should fix your problem, if it doesn't your steering rack might be going out or almost gone. I would probably put my money on the tie rods though.

buzlink

My tie rods, or at least what I think the tie rods are, have allot of wiggle in them.
Also if you sit in the car with it off, and move the steering wheel left to right, you get a loose feeling and a knock, and then resistance from the tires not wanting to move. While usually you don't have the loud knock/clunk sound coming from the car when turning wheel left to right quickly while the car is shut off.

Thanks

CivicSiRacer

I was thinking with a car that old:

1) when was your last alignment?
2) how old are you shocks?
3) how are the tires?
4) tie rods and suspension bushings are probably shot.

buzlink

Not sure when the last alignment was
Not sure how old the shocks are
Tires are not that old.
Think it is tie rods by not sure if the rack pinion needs to be replaced?

buzlink

What about Rack Guide Adjustment?
P 17-5 in the Service Manual.

Could this help out, as well?

CivicSiRacer

Well if you do not know when the last alignment is that is the first place to start. Also if your shocks are old enough they probably are not doing their job anymore. Should get those replaced.

If your alignment is off you could have 1 week old tires and have them already cupped and scalloped.

buzlink

No probelm with tires

Replacing Inner Tie Rods right now.

jdmforeel

i know this is very old thread but were having exact problem...so he did change the inner tie rods and what happen did it fixed the problem or what?

buzlink

Yes changing the tie rods helped alot.
I would recommened doing the entire rack pinion set while your down there.
If I recall correctly when I was shopping for parts, you could bye it as a whole with tie rods and such, and get it all done in one shot.