A pop sound and then steering wheel is a little right when wheels are straight

[Silkie]

So i went to get some gas this morning,
After that i spotted a Cruise in at a local restaurant.
Alot of really nice cars there!
I was surrounded as soon as i found a spot to back into. Lol.
So after that i come home for a bit and my wife sends me out for errands.
So i am backing out of the driveway when i hear a POP that sounded like it came from the front of the car?
I get out look underneath nothing looks out of the ordinary.
I notice though when i am going down the road, That the steering wheel is titled to the right a little.
When the wheels are straight. And the steering just doesn't feel like it did before.

So i brought it back and parked it,
And took my other Car.
I have looked under the car again but haven't seen anything loose, hanging etc.
I did check my universal joint and it looks ok.

Any idea's?

P.S. At the Cruise in i did see another John Z. Vehicle (Firebird)


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[Dangermouse]

Tie rod end?

Compare one side to the other.

[Silkie]

Tie rod end?

Compare one side to the other.

I will check ASAP.
It's a washout here right now.
Thank you!

[DMCMW Dave]

Have someone rock the steering wheel back and forth while you look at the rack under the center front of the car. See if the rack is moving left and right. It may have jumped out of the retainer at the right end. Which probably means the u-bolt nuts are loose or fell off.

Also take a close look at the ball joints, lift the front off the ground and check for play.

[Silkie]

Have someone rock the steering wheel back and forth while you look at the rack under the center front of the car. See if the rack is moving left and right. It may have jumped out of the retainer at the right end. Which probably means the u-bolt nuts are loose or fell off.

Also take a close look at the ball joints, lift the front off the ground and check for play.

Thanks Dave!
You have been a great help to me lately!

[Silkie]

Have someone rock the steering wheel back and forth while you look at the rack under the center front of the car. See if the rack is moving left and right. It may have jumped out of the retainer at the right end. Which probably means the u-bolt nuts are loose or fell off.

Actually i am thinking this may be it?
Because as i was backing the car down the driveway,
It made a very strange sound a couple of times.
Had me thinking it was my brakes or calipers?
Is this a common problem with the rack ????

[DMCMW Dave]

Actually i am thinking this may be it?
Because as i was backing the car down the driveway,
It made a very strange sound a couple of times.
Had me thinking it was my brakes or calipers?
Is this a common problem with the rack ????

Not common but it can happen. I've seen it twice, once a bad installation, and once a very ham-fisted tow truck operator.

Brakes won't make the wheel off center although they can certainly cause a drag.

[Silkie]

Not common but it can happen. I've seen it twice, once a bad installation, and once a very ham-fisted tow truck operator.

Brakes won't make the wheel off center although they can certainly cause a drag.

Lower Control Arm. I have already read these are scarce and $$$$
Any recommendations?

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[Jonathan]

Lower Control Arm. I have already read these are scarce and $$$$
Any recommendations?

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http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?82...t-in-stainless

[Dangermouse]

Search on here and you should find many opinions on LCAs.

As well as Josh's, Byrne Heninger sells a different design. I think Spittybug was selling a boxed in one too.

I have used neither, so these are not recommendations, just info.