I have a 96 dodge intrepid and it my steering has gone banannas. It eather pulls to the right or left (whatever it feels like doing) and the steering wheel feels extremly loose in steering. The car also makes a loud clicking noise. (mostly when turning right) I have had my car alined and my wheels are balanced. The alinement place says my Rack and Pinion must be replace but it was replace only 5 months or about 6,000 miles ago (a repair that cost me $1100) along with the tie-rods. What should I do would a warranty be honored (or can they arguee i've been driving roughly) or could it be another problem?
2006-06-13 17:44:31 · 9 answers · asked by bhzrd4 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Dodge
Without seeing the vehicle, I would guess that you have an inner tie rod bushing that is worn out or even gone! It's a rubber bushing that connects the tie rod to the rack and pinion. If the rubber has come out of the tie rod, it will allow about 1/2" of play in the steering linkage and can cause the vehicle to pull due to the toe-in being way out of whack. The best way to check it is to jack the front wheels of the ground, and try to wiggle the tire(s) side-to-side. If it moves REAL easy, this is likely your problem. You can also have an assistant rock the steering wheel back and forth, quickly (with the tires on the ground), and you can watch the inner tie rod(s) to see if there is excessive movement. The rack/tie-rods are at the rear of the engine compartment about 8"-10" below the cowl. This is not a real uncommon problem on LH cars. BTW, this would not be replaced when the rack and pinion was changed as it is a separate part. If you're still not sure, have another shop check it. HTH!!
2006-06-14 06:08:50 · answer #1 · answered by lugnutz59 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'll agree that it really sounds like the inner tie rod. I work at a local shop, and we've had probably one intrepid every two months that had that exact problem. However, I would recommend to have it properly diagnosed as parts changing is clearly not the way to fix the problem. As was stated before, the best way to check is to get weight off the front wheels and grab the wheel. Shake it side to side, up and down, every way. There should be extremely little play in the wheel. If there is, there is definately something wrong. I would take it back to the dealer. Even though they replaced everything, an improper installation can destroy a new part very rapidly. Good luck on finding out whats wrong though.
2006-06-15 02:57:55 · answer #2 · answered by cumminsedge 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This sounds similar to a very familiar concerns with this model and year of car. It is a very good idea to have the entire steering and linkage system checked but this body style of vehicle had concerns with the steering rack mounting bushings. There are service bulletins addressing the fact that the bushings become worn and loose and allow the steering gear to move back and forth, causing both a clunking sound and looseness in the steering. There are replacement bushings available to correct the concern. Hope this is helpful.
2006-06-15 23:38:50 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you hear a loud clicking noise, it could be your Constant Velocity(CV) joints giving you your headache.
Your steering problem just may be due to a defective part.
Have a qualified technician do a thorough examination on your steering system.
Here is what to look for:
1: binding while steering (translation: do you have to muscle the car in a straight line?)
2: noise while steering
(does it fight your input? does it scream?)
3: Road Wander(does it not accept your steering input? does it feel...sluggish?)
4: Do you feel "Unsafe" while driving this vehicle?
5:and most important: did you feel these problems before the repair?
6: and equally important: did the repairs fix the problem?
feel free to get back to me
I am an ASE Certified Service Consultant
2006-06-14 01:15:50 · answer #4 · answered by d_cider1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The most common problem with those was an inner tie rod. You can buy the repair kit cheap Apx $25. a side and they are a little tricky to install, You need to take it to another shop and get another opinion.
2006-06-26 20:07:57 · answer #5 · answered by jimmac7777 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it could be another problem, intrepids had a bad case of the k-mounts/ body mounts going bad with will make the engine and transmission move what every way the car is moving and if that is the case replacing them will only run you about 60-80 dollars
2006-06-18 23:26:42 · answer #6 · answered by kschwark25 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take it back. Ask them to check it out. Speak to the manager and request it be fixed.It looks like they didn't check the idler arm or the steering box. Shops misdiagnose the problem and replace the incorrect part or parts.
2006-06-14 00:50:34 · answer #7 · answered by mikey 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can't improve on the advice given, but I urge you not to drive the car except slowly to the repair shop!
2006-06-19 17:06:28 · answer #8 · answered by saddlesore 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Return it.There has to be a warranty.This car could be unsafe.You have some very good advice from others good luck
2006-06-14 12:56:47 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋