Steering wandering at highway speeds

Suspension, brake, and hydraulic/electric steering discussion.
mikem85
Posts: 15
Joined: Wed Jan 01, 2020 11:19 am

Steering wandering at highway speeds

Post by mikem85 »

Like the title says, the car steers all over the road at highway speeds. All front end components seem solid, but I haven't given them a full test yet for worn parts. It seems to either want to pull left or right, and when it does it is fairly dramatic, not like a slight pull but somewhat hard. If I let the wheel go it will go left to right and back when the car hits bumps. Any ideas what could cause this? Simple alignment? Rack and pinion needs replaced? Any insight is appreciated!
Pursuit
Administration Staff
Posts: 969
Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2013 3:39 pm
Location: Omaha, NE area

Re: Steering wandering at highway speeds

Post by Pursuit »

I would personally get it to a reputable alignment shop and have them do complete inspection, front and back. Solid safety practices are better than speculations...

Maurice
Maurice Sheil

mhsheil@gmail.com

2011 Caprice Phantom Black 9C3
2012 Impala 9C1
1995 9C1 Caprice
1996 GMC Sierra C1500
1996 Chevrolet K2500 Extended Cab, long box, 454, 91,000 rust free miles
1974 SJ Grand Prix 455 well optioned with factory moon roof
CrashTestDummy
Posts: 2300
Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2015 2:31 pm
Location: Pearland, Texas

Re: Steering wandering at highway speeds

Post by CrashTestDummy »

DON'T LET GO OF YOUR STEERING WHEEL WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY! :lol:

I've noticed our '12 is sensitive to undulations in the road, and pulls a bit, depending on the amount of crown in the road. I suspect a bit more positive caster would help that, but as Maurice noted, get a reputable shop to complete an inspection. Most chains will want to tell you your entire suspension is shot if the car has more than 10 miles on the clock.

How many miles does your car have on it?
Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas
2012 Caprice 9C1
1992 B4C 1LE Camaro
2018 Tahoe PPV (her car)
1995 DGGM Impala SS
1985 Firebird - 310 LS1 C Prepared autocross car.
1980 Bluebird Wanderlodge
And some others
Do YOU have my SPID?
mikem85
Posts: 15
Joined: Wed Jan 01, 2020 11:19 am

Re: Steering wandering at highway speeds

Post by mikem85 »

It has 93k on the clock now, but lots of hours. Was a cruiser in a small town here in SW Iowa.
Pursuit
Administration Staff
Posts: 969
Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2013 3:39 pm
Location: Omaha, NE area

Re: Steering wandering at highway speeds

Post by Pursuit »

Curious, what part of SW Iowa are you located? I'm in the Bellevue, NE area...

Maurice
Maurice Sheil

mhsheil@gmail.com

2011 Caprice Phantom Black 9C3
2012 Impala 9C1
1995 9C1 Caprice
1996 GMC Sierra C1500
1996 Chevrolet K2500 Extended Cab, long box, 454, 91,000 rust free miles
1974 SJ Grand Prix 455 well optioned with factory moon roof
mikem85
Posts: 15
Joined: Wed Jan 01, 2020 11:19 am

Re: Steering wandering at highway speeds

Post by mikem85 »

I'm in Council Bluffs, the car came from Shenandoah
Pursuit
Administration Staff
Posts: 969
Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2013 3:39 pm
Location: Omaha, NE area

Re: Steering wandering at highway speeds

Post by Pursuit »

PM sent...
Maurice Sheil

mhsheil@gmail.com

2011 Caprice Phantom Black 9C3
2012 Impala 9C1
1995 9C1 Caprice
1996 GMC Sierra C1500
1996 Chevrolet K2500 Extended Cab, long box, 454, 91,000 rust free miles
1974 SJ Grand Prix 455 well optioned with factory moon roof
mikem85
Posts: 15
Joined: Wed Jan 01, 2020 11:19 am

Re: Steering wandering at highway speeds

Post by mikem85 »

Got the car to a mechanic today. He said the strut bushings are both bad and they move up and down with the movement of the wheels which is causing the left/right pulling and bump steer. From what I've read this is a common problem. However he recommended replacing the bushings, struts and sway bar end links all at the same time, even though the suspension parts are all "tight." Is it commonplace to replace the end links with the bushings?

One other related question, where do I find struts that won't kill my wallet? I found the poly bushings for about the same price as the factory replacement rubber ones so I'll order those asap.

Thanks!!
Pursuit
Administration Staff
Posts: 969
Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2013 3:39 pm
Location: Omaha, NE area

Re: Steering wandering at highway speeds

Post by Pursuit »

Rock auto has Monroe struts for $88 and AC Delcos for $99. While you have it apart, depending on your budget, maybe consider different springs, if you were thinking of lowering it...
As far as the endlinks and such, the assemblies are apart, and the labor would be the same to put the old ones back on versus putting a fresh set on.

Maurice
Maurice Sheil

mhsheil@gmail.com

2011 Caprice Phantom Black 9C3
2012 Impala 9C1
1995 9C1 Caprice
1996 GMC Sierra C1500
1996 Chevrolet K2500 Extended Cab, long box, 454, 91,000 rust free miles
1974 SJ Grand Prix 455 well optioned with factory moon roof
Pursuit
Administration Staff
Posts: 969
Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2013 3:39 pm
Location: Omaha, NE area

Re: Steering wandering at highway speeds

Post by Pursuit »

Mike,
My apologies, I just remembered that your car is a 2014. The front suspension design changed in 2014. The Monroe struts are $97 and the ACDelcos are $150 ish

Maurice
Maurice Sheil

mhsheil@gmail.com

2011 Caprice Phantom Black 9C3
2012 Impala 9C1
1995 9C1 Caprice
1996 GMC Sierra C1500
1996 Chevrolet K2500 Extended Cab, long box, 454, 91,000 rust free miles
1974 SJ Grand Prix 455 well optioned with factory moon roof
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