Inconsistent/twitchy steering

[boon]

Hey folks,

Searched to no avail ;(

I've just bought myself a 1996 V3 WRX Wagon.

All going pretty well except the steering seems just a little bit funny.

When you start to turn it's almost a little stiff but once you get past a certain point the wheel turns very very easily.

There's also a reasonable degree of twitching/rumble through the wheel when braking from 'higher' speeds.

I've been told it could be a wheel alignment issue or worn bushings in the steering assembly. Is it time to apply liberal amounts of Nolathane to the car? It has 122000km on it and I have no idea if they've been done. I'm putting new tyres on this week so I'll get an alignment at the same time.

Any other ideas about what it might be? Still perfectly drivable but the twitchyness under braking especially is a little disconcerting. I'm not overly concerned about the variable steering feel but resolving the twitching would be really good.

Cheers

[Guest keltik]

Check your wheel bearings, try some new power steering fluid and get that alignment done and youve got most of the bases covered. At 122,000km id be very surprised if any of the bushes had been replaced. Thats round about when they start breaking down tho.

[Scoobydoo]

Yeah nolathane the FCUK out of it haha

[Guest]

Sounds like more of a PS problem than an alignment issue, especially since its inconsistent.

[Shale]

Got half the problems as above in my Impreza.

Plain and simple for mine - power steering pump overheated a few too many times. It's gone all limp as of a day or two ago from an overdose of gravel ;D

Might as well hit everything with the new/upgrade stick as you've mentioned...Nolathane and new tyres, alignment...

Also. You haven't got red or black splatter throughout your engine bay, originating from the power steering, have you? And the fluid IS still cherry red? ;D

[Guest boostin]

Twitchy under braking usually indicates an alignment is needed as the toe setting is out. The car will pull side to side as each tyre gets better traction than the other.

[boon]

That'll be it! The front tyres have quite strange wear on them, corners quite worn while middle great - indicates it needs an alignment badly?

Hrmmm I wonder if I can get these new tyres before the weekend... is there any point getting an alignment before tyres?

But yeah, shortly going to apply bulk Nolathane, vital fluids, etc etc. I'll check the PS fluid colour when I get home tonight, a friend suggested it might be the PS pump on the way out with the wierd steering behavior. Would make sense.

[Guest Bemrose]

wait till the tyres are on

[Swindog]

Yeah check your belts and pulleys etc. The leggy did that for awhile. Changed the belt and retightened the ps pulley. Problem gone.

[Guest]

 boostin']

Twitchy under braking usually indicates an alignment is needed as the toe setting is out. The car will pull side to side as each tyre gets better traction than the other.

True, toe out will do that but he is getting a 'rumble' through the steering and inconsistent steering feel as well.

[quote name='boon said:

That'll be it! The front tyres have quite strange wear on them, corners quite worn while middle great - indicates it needs an alignment badly?

Shoulder wear without the center being worn is down to under inflation not toe out.

[boon]

Well it's in for new front tyres and an alignment as we speak. Driving it to Taupo this weekend and I didn't like the look of the worn shoulders.

This is my first car... they're just endless black holes to throw money into aren't they ??? ???

[Swindog]

No, not really. If you look after it, service it and do things right even a Subaru will be a joy to own...as he says this he needs a wheel bearing, cam seals and diff seal done lol