Scary problem with steering

Asked by kazinpurplerain Mar 29, 2009 at 05:46 AM about the 1989 Toyota Celica ST coupe

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My 89 celica has an intermittant problem that no mechanic can figure out. Symptoms are : Just out of the blue, steering wheel makes sudden, sharp, short jabs pulling to the left, accompanied with load knocking in front and a bad vibration. There is no pattern to it other than it begins when backing off the accelerator.  It sounds like CV joint noise, but apparently the CVs are fine. It can do it on the highway at high speed or turning corners at low speed....its so wierd and scary. It will drive fine for weeks at a time, and then suddenly it will happen for no good reason, and its frightening. One mechanic took a good look under it and said it could possibly have something to do with the tranfer casing/gearbox or shaft in that general area. He shook the shaft and said he felt a bit of up and down movement where there shouldnt have been, but other than that he was stumped.  The car just had a grand spent on it replacing bushes and wheel bearings, but no change. Does anyone have any idea what could be causing this? I havent been able to find anyone with a celica with any similar syptoms and its very distressing. I'm too scared to drive it anymore cuz when it happens it sounds like the axels gonna break in half or something!  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

2 Answers
65

Steven answered 15 years ago

have you checked the brake rotor and caliper on the left? that was the only think that you didnt mention checking.. i have seen a brake caliper grab on a ruind rotor and cause a similar symptom...

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15

Walter answered 15 years ago

Sounds as if the differential isn't working porperly. To test this raise the front of the car turn the wheel left then hold the right It shouldn't lock up or feel hard

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