Hey guys, recently my steering has been feeling like total **** when I steer to the left only. Steering to the right is fine and has no issues. The issue that I'm trying to figure out only happens at very low speed. I turn my wheel left and I get this odd feeling in the wheel that my steering is slipping. You can hear and feel it, almost as if something is binding, I'm not sure. Wheel bearings seem fine. Is it common for bushings in the steering rack to go bad? Has anyone else had this issue? Thanks!

 

What exactly do you hear? Are they popping noises, metal on metal noises?

 

Need more info on car...year, mileage, any mods?

 

I am smelling some sensor problems in the steering rack.

 

It's an 04 all stock with almost 100k. It doesn't really sound like metal on metal to me personally. It sounds closer to a popping sound but only at very low speeds when there's more resistance I suppose.

 

I'm having this exact same problem, except to the right. Only when the car is cold, after just starting up, and it lasts about 30 seconds to a minute before it goes away. Basically it feels like the steering wheel is skipping (suddenly resistance is gone, then back again). Any ideas? It seems to be doing it more often lately. Could there be someplace that needs lubrication?

 

Most likely the connectors need cleaning.

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...power+steering

I had to do it myself twice. The first time I didn't put enough dielectric grease to prevent coolant from getting between the contacts. The second time there was so much grease I could hardly put the connectors back together but I've been good for about 4 months now.

You may want to extend the coolant hose past these two connectors while you clean them because as you can see it's pointing right at them.

 

^pro post, like a boss

 

Has there been any resolution to this?

I have the same problem where it is binding on turns to the left and makes a little clicking noise at the same time. I have cleaned the connectors and sprayed the lower u-joint without any help.

I noticed that if I release the steering wheel locking handle and turn the wheel left, the steering wheel will actually raise up like it was hitting on something.

I appreciated any input.

 

Yeah man, I ended up picking up a used steering rack from a salvage yard and put it in. It fixed my issue for sure, but I had to get a front end alignment. It wasn't the most enjoyable job, but I got tired of troubleshooting so I just did the whole thing.