Play in the steering
There is a symptom drivers describe in many ways: the steering feels loose, vague, or lazy. The wheel can be moved a little either side of center before the car responds. On the highway the car needs constant small corrections to stay in its lane, and it feels like it is wandering rather than tracking.
That is play, and it comes from wear somewhere between the steering wheel and the tires. The usual suspects are the joints that let the wheels steer and move up and down: tie rod ends, ball joints, and the bushings that locate the suspension arms. Each one is meant to pivot freely in one direction and hold firmly in every other. As they wear, they start to move in the directions they should hold.
Worn steering and suspension joints are not just a comfort issue. Play lets the wheel alignment shift while you drive, which wears tires, and a badly worn joint can fail. A vehicle that has developed noticeable looseness is worth having inspected rather than getting used to.
Signs to mention when you book
- Free movement in the steering wheel before the car responds.
- Wandering or constant correction on a straight road.
- A clunk or knock when turning, or over bumps.
- Uneven or rapid wear on the edges of the front tires.
The order of repairs
Worn parts first, then alignment. Replacing steering components changes the alignment settings, so aligning before the repair means paying for it twice. Both are done here, and so is brake repair, which a wandering front end can be confused with under braking. The national suspension repair page covers the other signs of worn parts.
Other stores nearby
De Soto and Washington also offer suspension repair.
About this store
The Fenton store runs seventeen services and is managed by Daniel Garcia.
See the national suspension repair page for all 34 locations.