"help With Wonky Steering "

[doggie62]

Hi all .........heres hoping you can give me some advice.
My wifes car ( 2002 GLS - 28 k . 3.4 ) has just recently developed an odd steering problem.
The problem is noticable on long sweeping curves ( noticably worse when extra people are in the car) .

I can feel the steering wheel " jerk " to the opposite direction of the curve . It feels as is if the wheels are " loose and sliding slightly " and moving independently of the steering wheel. Like the wheels are trying to go straight ( again - slight pulling but very noticeable)Not noticable at all on Straight roads.

Tough to describe - hopfully you can get the jist of the problem

Tires are good - no uneven wear or bent rims. Not a tires a balancing issue ( as much as I know ).

Any suggestions for me ?? I need to get the car in to get the problem fixed b4 the warranty expires in the next 3 months.

Ball Joints ?? Tie rods ?

Any advice you have so I can stay on top of the dealer would be much appreciatted.

Thanks !

Doggie

[bigd6983]

could be that........how long since an alignment?? and you also might want to check the hubs as they always go out on our cars.......

[Youngblood77]

the alignment idea sounds right-on, IF it pulls to the same direction....Don't our cars have some wierd variable-rate steering set-up ? ( I realise that variable rate steering is common-place, but I heard the design they used for our cars is different ) Maybe it's a problem with that? ;)

[jackal2000]

i think its pretty common in our cars for the tie rods to go, but that seems a little early with only 28k. my left outter tie rod was starting to go at like 52k.