Steering problems

[stevesLX]

I have a 89 LX that just doesn't want to let the steering wheel come back around to center unless I actually turn it back to center. If I turn the wheel right to make a turn or left it doesn't matter it will continue to go in that direction unless I turn the wheel back around myself. Its like driving those cars at amusement parks like the old fashion cars and stuff. It has ball joints that are only a year old. New springs all the way around new shocks struts and power steering rack. Its been aligned and they say my caster is at +1.1 it wont go any further. I dont know what else to do. I know the faster you go the more losey goosey it gets it not a good feeling. I dont know if I should invest in caster camber plates or not. The car use to have 15x4 wheels on the front when I bought it back in Nov.06. I have since sold those but I haven't bought anything else for it yet. My plan is to go to stock all the way around or like a 16x7. I am only using this for street. When I say losey goosey I mean you move the wheel an inch and you are changing lanes.My john deere mowers wheel even makes a half way descent attempt at coming back around to center when you drive it. So any help would be appreciated. I am tired of spending money on this thing and getting nowhere. Everywhere I have taken it says its something differn't than the next guy to include its even been on a frame rack and still nothing.

 

[HISSIN50]

I concur that the rack is possible.

Has there been any damage recently (a kingpin issue can cause this sort of thing)?

I would have an assistant get in the car and turn the wheel while you watch the front wheels. Note how much your assistant can turn the steering wheel before the front wheels start to move. If it's a decent amount, watch the steering shaft where it goes into the rack. See if there's freeplay in the rag joint. Also see if the shaft going into the rack turns but the front wheels do not. If the latter, it's likely a rack or tie rod issue (namely inner tie rods).

There might be separate issues or it could all tie together (lack of return to center can be from alignment issues, which could be from slop in the rack and pinion).

I noted some things which you already replaced because even new parts take a dump in short order occasionally.

Good luck.

 

[stevesLX]

steering

well the kicker to that is the car was doing this even before I replaced all the stuff I listed. I bought the car back in nov.06 and it did it then so I replaced the rack shocks tie rods springs struts and the ball joints were already new when I bought the car and its been aligned 3 times now and been on a frame rack at 2 differn't locations and still having the same problem.

 

[jrichker]

Inadequate caster will cause the problem you describe. Unfortunately, the only way to increase the caster is by installing Caster/Camber plates. The caster on my Stang is set at 3 degrees, and it returns to center nicely.