Very unsafe feeling with steering my S13

[CTblack240]

So I'm still having the same steering problem in my hatch even after I replaced the rack and got an alignment, mind you it was used but seemed to have no bad seals and the hard lines were in good shape. I installed adjustable LCA, oem inner rods, adjustable outer rods and kept the stock tension rods with good bushings still in em. My steering wheel is constantly fighting me over bumps with terrible bump steer, steering is super loose, and alignment keeps getting thrown around, really making me feel unsafe in the car and its my daily, any ideas?

[Bambi]

Did you use new steering rack bushings when you changed the rack?

[thefro526]

What are your alignment specs? If you're running a lot of/and or too much camber, or your toe is set too far out, it can lead to some interesting dynamics. With too much camber, the car will start to follow grooves in the road more noticeably, and with a lot of toe out, you'll find that the car wants to change direction easily (a blessing and a curse, depending on what you like).

If it's not your alignment, make sure that everything is tight up front. Sometimes after swapping a lot of stuff and putting a few miles on it, the hardware will work it's way loose. I just had that happen to me with my S14, replaced everything but the rack and coils up front and still had a 'mystery' clunk/wobble when driving. Found out that one of my ball joints must not have seated right in the knuckle and come loose (pin was still there). Checked all of the other nuts and bolts, and some of those were more loose than installed too.

[CTblack240]

Did you use new steering rack bushings when you changed the rack?

I did not, only because when I pulled the rack, they look like they had already been replaced once, they were really clean and in great condition.

What are your alignment specs? If you're running a lot of/and or too much camber, or your toe is set too far out, it can lead to some interesting dynamics. With too much camber, the car will start to follow grooves in the road more noticeably, and with a lot of toe out, you'll find that the car wants to change direction easily (a blessing and a curse, depending on what you like).

If it's not your alignment, make sure that everything is tight up front. Sometimes after swapping a lot of stuff and putting a few miles on it, the hardware will work it's way loose. I just had that happen to me with my S14, replaced everything but the rack and coils up front and still had a 'mystery' clunk/wobble when driving. Found out that one of my ball joints must not have seated right in the knuckle and come loose (pin was still there). Checked all of the other nuts and bolts, and some of those were more loose than installed too.

I took a look under the car and tightened everything up about a week after I installed and it was all good, but what I think it might be, or part of it, is that I'm running Godspeed :picardfp: FLCAs and the ball joint on them don't sit great with lowering I guess. So I guess I'm going to have to take a look into that as well.

[hartig]

are they new or used flcas? maybe the rod end is shot..

[zerodameaon]

So raise your car up, if that does not work go back to good stock FLCA with new bushings and ball joints and if it fixes your issue toss then those godspeed piles in the trash.

If they were built worth a damn they should be able to handle lowered cars better than OEM because they would correct geometry and such.