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I was driving on the freeway and hit something im not sure what.
My fender well on the driver side broke off and since then my steering wheel has been stiff(mostly when turning).
I jacked the car up and didn't find any damage and everything looked fine. When the car was on 2 jack stands in the front the steering would turn fine when the car was on.
But once the car is back on the ground there is a noticeable difference. Up to the point where driving with one hand is impracticable.
Does anyone have any ideas as to what might be damaged?
how does the car drive? Is there vibration? I'm wondering if you jacked up something on the drivers side suspension that makes it stiff under pressure, maybe jammed a balljoint or something. I would think if it was steering rack it would bind regardless. Another way to test would be disconnect the drivers tie-rod end (dont mess with it's adjustment) and turn the wheel when the car is on the ground to see if it turns freely. Usually takes a hex key to hold the tie-rod's ball joint still while you loosen the nut with a wrench.
Okay so when I went under the car the only damage I noticed was a broken/disconnected wire on the driver side.
Here is an album of of a few pics I tried taking(sorry its dark out now).
Its on the driver side and now that i think of it the connection seemed to be clean(implying its just broke because I don't have any under shrouds on my car and it would have gotten dirty if it has been broken for a while.)
Does anyone know what this wire is for? And if it is a connection for the rack and pinion why doesn't it throw up a code/check engine light?
how does the car drive? Is there vibration? I'm wondering if you jacked up something on the drivers side suspension that makes it stiff under pressure, maybe jammed a balljoint or something. I would think if it was steering rack it would bind regardless. Another way to test would be disconnect the drivers tie-rod end (dont mess with it's adjustment) and turn the wheel when the car is on the ground to see if it turns freely. Usually takes a hex key to hold the tie-rod's ball joint still while you loosen the nut with a wrench.
Everything drives fine its just stiff. Ive jacked the car up and turned the wheel while it was raised and the steering wheel turned fine.
You know, we do have speed sensitive steering. I wonder if that wire is for your rack/pinion and your steering just acts like you are consistently going 60 mph. As for why its not throwing a code, no idea. I'd at least try to crimp the wires back on to see if that fixes it
Did some quick searching. What year is your G? In 2005 they switched from engine rpm based steering to speed sesitive steering. If you fudged the steering angle sensor that would be why its so stiff.
You know, we do have speed sensitive steering. I wonder if that wire is for your rack/pinion and your steering just acts like you are consistently going 60 mph. As for why its not throwing a code, no idea. I'd at least try to crimp the wires back on to see if that fixes it
Originally Posted by Frostbite91
Did some quick searching. What year is your G? In 2005 they switched from engine rpm based steering to speed sesitive steering. If you fudged the steering angle sensor that would be why its so stiff.
Oh ****. That makes complete sense. Ill throw the car up on some jacks tomorrow and reconnect the wire to see if it solves the issue.
The male connector for the wire (not shown in pics) is completely striped and just the pins are left. So im not sure which is the neg and positive. Would sticking them in the wrong way damage anything?
