Very Loose Steering - Slipping

[comanche]

How fast have you driven it in this condition?
Is the alignment still true? Usually when I replace tie rod ends, no matter how hard I try the alignment gets messed up.

[nschmidt]

Originally Posted by comanche

How fast have you driven it in this condition?
Is the alignment still true? Usually when I replace tie rod ends, no matter how hard I try the alignment gets messed up.

At least 75mph. I'm sure I need an alignment, but I'd like to get the problem with my suspension solved so I don't have to get 2-3 alignments in such a short period.

Tdot/a.graham: Yeah, it does make a popping noise. I'll jack it up and test it out. I had a suspicion that it was ball joints but wanted to make sure. I'll just replace those when I do the rest of the work down there.

Thanks for the help all.

[zzyzzx]

Originally Posted by nschmidt

At least 75mph. I'm sure I need an alignment, but I'd like to get the problem with my suspension solved so I don't have to get 2-3 alignments in such a short period.

That's why (on my Escort) I replaced the tie rod ends (including the inners) and ball joints, and added a camber bolt, all at the same time, then got new tires and an alignment. The parts are cheap enough to just put them in all at once and not worry about needed yet still another alignment a few months later.

[Goodman]

Originally Posted by nschmidt

At least 75mph....

I am sorry! but are F**in ?

Any loose or vibration in the direction could means death to you & others on the road , imagine the ball joint breaks or tie rod at 75 mph or even at 50 mph no more control on the steering wheel & the car will crash & may hit other cars at the same time

Little scenario : You are at going 65 mph on two way line then the driver side ball joint breaks & car pull in the other line & makes you car go face to face with another car or big truck coming at you at 60+ mph... Goodbye! nice knowing you
Very! poor frontal collision rated http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1F0B5wmtklA
(Grand am & Alero share same body)

So either slow down until you fix it or go in the garage & make it fix for you make them check everything

If you want to do a quick test jack up one wheel at the time & move it side ways form left to right that is for tie rod & moving the wheel up & down will be for ball joints but still i recommend you go in the garage & have them check for any loose parts on the direction , better be safe then sorry

[nschmidt]

Originally Posted by Goodman

I am sorry! but are F**in ?

Any loose or vibration in the direction could means death to you & others on the road , imagine the ball joint breaks or tie rod at 75 mph or even at 50 mph no more control on the steering wheel & the car will crash & may hit other cars at the same time

Little scenario : You are at going 65 mph on two way line then the driver side ball joint breaks & car pull in the other line & makes you car go face to face with another car or big truck coming at you at 60+ mph... Goodbye! nice knowing you
Very! poor frontal collision rated http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1F0B5wmtklA
(Grand am & Alero share same body)

So either slow down until you fix it or go in the garage & make it fix for you make them check everything

If you want to do a quick test jack up one wheel at the time & move it side ways form left to right that is for tie rod & moving the wheel up & down will be for ball joints but still i recommend you go in the garage & have them check for any loose parts on the direction , better be safe then sorry

I guess to a degree, I must be. But I don't really have the luxury of sitting my car in a parking lot and buying another car until I can fix it. Driving it is just a chance I'll have to take.
Over the weekend I changed out the hub assemblies and rotors up front and it's helped a bit but it's still not completely remedied. As often as I've heard it, next thing I'll be going after is the ball joints. They seem to be a popular culprit.
Again, thanks for all the info everyone.