Sluggish Steering

[haveahotcarl]

Just this afternoon I noticed that my steering control seemed to be a bit lagging. Quickly turn the wheel 1/8 turn and the car takes a second to react. I pulled over and checked what I could, all lugs present and tight, tire pressure is good, no visibly missing bolts, nothing leaking, and power steering fluid is full.

I have 95,000 on the clock, stock suspension, stock racing harts, only mod is the clunk-fix bracket. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[FORZWIN]

95k? Check inner+outer tie rods, ball joints etc. My bet is that your tie-rod ends could stand to be replaced. Not a tough job, but you will need an alignment when you're done.

 

[JReichle1]

+1 for tie rods. Inner/outer...

 

[haveahotcarl]

That's what I was thinking... So I tore into it today to check them, and the tie rods are fine. Absolutely zero play on both sides. Now I'm stuck... (shrug)

 

[spicyprotevo]

I started to feel sluggish steering in mine too lately. I've taken a look underneath and my control arm bushings are shot. Maybe give yours a looksie? I'm hoping to get some Pedders bushings but may just need to try Hardrace arms depending on P & A.

 

[haveahotcarl]

I started to feel sluggish steering in mine too lately. I've taken a look underneath and my control arm bushings are shot. Maybe give yours a looksie? I'm hoping to get some Pedders bushings but may just need to try Hardrace arms depending on P & A.

Hmmm, I'll have to take a look at those. Did you have to take the control arm bolts out to see that or was there enough play that you didn't have to?

 

[spicyprotevo]

i actually looked at work on a lift. i could see the torn bushings, since the arms were fully extended (hanging). both my right and left, front and rear bushings are shot.

 

[haveahotcarl]

Update!

I finally got the problem fixed. After checking over all of the suspension components and finding nothing torn or loose, I deemed it to be the shocks. I replaced the shocks and springs with the Tokico HPK kit from Corksport and it solved my problem completely. I could actually move the shock pistons up and down without any effort; they were gone. I guess 98,000 on the stock "blues" isn't anything to complain about!

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

 

[geomatics_tech]

Update!

I finally got the problem fixed. After checking over all of the suspension components and finding nothing torn or loose, I deemed it to be the shocks. I replaced the shocks and springs with the Tokico HPK kit from Corksport and it solved my problem completely. I could actually move the shock pistons up and down without any effort; they were gone. I guess 98,000 on the stock "blues" isn't anything to complain about!

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

How do you like the HPK kit?

Im looking at either the HPK kit or HP's and Eibach ProKit springs.

 

[haveahotcarl]

How do you like the HPK kit?

Im looking at either the HPK kit or HP's and Eibach ProKit springs.

I really like the HPK kit. It actually lowered my car by about 1 inch from stock height. The ride is a bit more rough than stock but certainly bearable compared to some aftermarket suspensions. I can't really the say the handling improved significantly, since the stock handling is so good, but a slight increase. I went with these because I wasn't looking to AutoX or slam my car to the ground and the price was right. A word of caution when buying aftermarket suspension though. The stock spring perch on the factory Tokicos is different from aftermarket shocks and if not matched the car will not ride flat (the back is too low if I remember right). Nonetheless, when you buy everything from Corksport (the only appropriate vendor in my opinion) ask them what they recommend, they know the products they sell inside and out!

 

[destineal]

A word of caution when buying aftermarket suspension though. The stock spring perch on the factory Tokicos is different from aftermarket shocks and if not matched the car will not ride flat (the back is too low if I remember right). Nonetheless, when you buy everything from Corksport (the only appropriate vendor in my opinion) ask them what they recommend, they know the products they sell inside and out!

So your shocks are matched correctly(flat) or not?

 

[haveahotcarl]

Yeah, the HPK kit is matched shocks and springs. My car rides flat.

 

[geomatics_tech]

I really like the HPK kit. It actually lowered my car by about 1 inch from stock height. The ride is a bit more rough than stock but certainly bearable compared to some aftermarket suspensions. I can't really the say the handling improved significantly, since the stock handling is so good, but a slight increase. I went with these because I wasn't looking to AutoX or slam my car to the ground and the price was right. A word of caution when buying aftermarket suspension though. The stock spring perch on the factory Tokicos is different from aftermarket shocks and if not matched the car will not ride flat (the back is too low if I remember right). Nonetheless, when you buy everything from Corksport (the only appropriate vendor in my opinion) ask them what they recommend, they know the products they sell inside and out!

Did you replace any other suspension components while doing the springs and struts?

 

[haveahotcarl]

Did you replace any other suspension components while doing the springs and struts?

Well, not really. I already had AWR adjustable end links in the front and newer stock end links in the rear. I also have the AXR clunk fix bracket and I put new energy suspension bushings in about the same time. I checked the other suspension components and everything was solid.

 

[dstmsp03]

Please stick with the topic at hand, questions or reviews on a product should have its own thread so all can read and provide feedback, i am not deleting any posts, but i will be checking in to make sure the topic stays on what fixed the issues and not a product review.. thanks!