Loose steering after bump

Chris_Heilong

I was on the way to work and drove over the train tracks at a crossing, felt something go and suddenly the steering became loose, the usual soft resitance that was normally there is gone, close enough to work and was on a late shift so no chance to get it seen to tonight. Was thinking at first it could be a spring went in the front suspension but dont think that would effect my steering like this, now im thinking it could be steering rack or I need new bushings in the front. Not looking foward to the drive home tonight. Any ideas?

02 Honda Civic EU1(basically a 5 door Civic SE)

Plug

Maybe a belt snapped or came off? Have you aircon and is the water temp ok? Battery light on perhaps or maybe these have two belts.
Also check the level of the power steering resivour, a pipe could have came off something.
What engine is it?

Chris_Heilong

There a 1.5 VTEC D15B under the hood, yeah I have Aircon but had it off today, from a quick visual inspection of the engine I could not see any damage but the truth is usually revealed once you get to see under the car, I would be worried about the powersteering because I didnt check the fluid in a long time butam hoping its something small like wheel alignment. Its a McPherson in the front and a wishbone in the back.

Plug

If it was the spring the car could be rubbing off the wheel arch and it could cause hard steering but you would notice it through noise. If you lost fluid from a pipe bursting it would have made a high pitched sound so that didn't happen? Is the steering completely heavy? It may just be the belt. A lot of jap stuff use two belts so the power steering pump might only be operated from the one belt.
And you are right, someone will need to take a quick look to confirm.

Chris_Heilong

No, its not heavy at all, its the opposite, far too light, doesnt even feel like I am moving the wheels(but they are turning), Its like the steering wheel is floating. If I can get it home tonight I will be happy. Need to be careful on the roundabout at the O2. Thanks for the advice Plug.

Plug

Chris_Heilong wrote: »

No, its not heavy at all, its the opposite, far too light, doesnt even feel like I am moving the wheels(but they are turning), Its like the steering wheel is floating. If I can get it home tonight I will be happy. Need to be careful on the roundabout at the O2. Thanks for the advice Plug.

:rolleyes: My bad I read it wrong "the usual soft resitance that was normally there is gone".

So your steering is very light? Then you would want to check tie rod ends, ball joints, rack etc. Also make sure your tyre pressures are correct. Do you know if its electric power steering or just regular pump driven off the engine?

Chris_Heilong

I just filled the tyres a few days ago, used the digital pump at Texeco, 29 in each tyre. The steering is Electronic power steering. There where no wanring lights on the dash, I moved the car at 6pm and checked for bumps or noise but the isnt anything out of ordinary, just the steering, will report back after the garage has a look.:)

Plug

If its full electric steering(EPAS) it could be a problem with the torque sensor in the rack or column. You will need to check for faults if it is EPAS and nothing visually is out of order. Good luck.

Chris_Heilong

well I took car to a garage today, they lifted it up, shook the wheels and take it for a test drive, they said they cant find anything wrong and said the steering felt fine, they were not charging me but I asked for a full service to be done tomorrow, hope something pops up. For me I cant drive like this, feels like I have no real control.

Andrew33

A lot of modern power steering set ups have artificial "feel" or resistance programmed in which increases as the speed increases, did you take the car to a main dealer for a diagnostic check? a local mech might not be able to diagnose a prob like that.

Chris_Heilong

Thanks Andrew, that sounds right, I mean I can still drive the car fine but it feels wrong compaired to normal, The car is imported and the closest Honda dealer to me was the one at east wall but that has been replaced by ford some time ago but it might be worth locating one. I am going to get new tyres also just incase, driving to work today and even though I was going 60kph it felt like I was crawling which is unusual so you might be onto something about the computerised Power steering.

Andrew33

Chris, main dealer might get sniffy at looking at an import (then again, maybe not). There is one on the Naas rd at Citywest bridge.
Google "Honda specialists in Dublin". you might get an Indy who knows the Hondas inside out.

Chris_Heilong

Finally got it back from the garage,

they said there was a problem with the DRAG LINK, Bottom arm Bushing joint boot damaged and Bottom arm Ball joint boot damaged. So in some ways it is what I thought. Guy also said there is 1000km on the breakpads and they need to be changed and he told me the light was on for this on my dash(but it wasnt before???) I have no money at the moment, need to wait for everyone to go back to work first, would you say this is an expensive job?

Plug

About €200 - 300. Most of them parts are ware and tear items anyway. Most cars will go through these. At least it wasn't a problem with EPAS which could have been a bit expensive. Good luck.

Andrew33

Chris_Heilong wrote: »

Finally got it back from the garage,

they said there was a problem with the DRAG LINK, Bottom arm Bushing joint boot damaged and Bottom arm Ball joint boot damaged. So in some ways it is what I thought. Guy also said there is 1000km on the breakpads and they need to be changed and he told me the light was on for this on my dash(but it wasnt before???) I have no money at the moment, need to wait for everyone to go back to work first, would you say this is an expensive job?

I don't know Honda's inside out but I'd look for a second opinion. I presume he means drop link which could affect handling but would have no real affect on steering "feel" at normal speeds. Do Honda's have boots over their bushes and ball joints? never heard of that.

As for the brake pads, probably good for another couple of months.