Steering wheel violently jerking left and right only when trying to turn?

Hello KHURGUNOW,

It is possible the rack is faulty. It could also be out of alignment. Did you get one after you replaced the rack?

Loose or worn tie-rod ends or ball joints can cause this too.

Any vibrations would be amplified through the steering if the alignment is out, or tie rods or ball joints are bad.

When driving, will the steering wheel return to center on its own?

What prompted the replacement of the rack? Was it leaking or did you have problems turning maybe?

If you sit in park with the wheels straight and move the steering wheel side to side quickly, before the actual wheels start to move, are you hearing any play? With a new steering rack, you should be able to move the steering wheel side to side and the wheels should respond and move almost immediately. If not and there is no play anywhere else in the steering system, then I would say the rack was faulty.

If you don't mind me asking, where did you get the rack from? I have seen techs go through 3 different steering racks before they get a good one because the service advisor wanted to save money and opted for the cheaper part. However, even expensive ones can be junk right out of the box.

How did the steering shaft look? Any play in that? You can grab it a pull up and down on it and see if you hear any movement. You can test the tie-rods the same way. Grab them and pull up and down on them and see if you can hear it moving. You may not be able to see it.

Here is a link to a video on a few other symptoms to look for. See if you have any of these other issues:

https://youtu.be/c3TpevnT-fw

Also, here is a link that shows a few other things that might either cause or contribute to the shake. This is more for braking and accelerating but I think checking these components is a good idea either way:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/steering-wheel-shakes-when-accelerating-or-braking

Hope this helps.

Thank you,
Brendon

Hello KHURGUNOW,

Wow that is a violent shake! Thank you very much for the video! I will be honest I have never seen that before except for a braking issue that caused a similar situation. But that has nothing to do with this since we are not moving.

The pressure and return line generally have different pressures in them. If they were switched it is likely it would blow the return line off since it is made of multiple pieces and the pressure line is not. However just to be sure, I am going to look up the lines for you and see what the thread size is for them. Since it is a smaller, lighter vehicle, the pressures in the system would be a lot lower.

Where the lines enter the steering rack, the pressure and the return, there is a control valve. (See images) When you are not turning the steering wheel, the power steering fluid is pushed into the control valve by the pump and then exits immediately through the return line after passing through the valve. When you turn the wheel however fluid should be directed to one side or the other. It is possible this control valve is faulty.

There also may be air trapped in the steering rack. Since air compresses and fluid does not, the air might be getting compressed and acting like a spring, shooting the rack in the opposite direction. If there is air on both sides, then that could explain it going back and forth like that.

Any whining noise from the pump or if you look in the reservoir is there any bubbles?

After the rack was installed, did you bleed the system before starting the vehicle? If so, could you explain the process you used? If not let me know and I will send you a bleeding procedure.

I think making sure this system is completely free of any air is going to be our first most important step.

Thank you,
Brendon

Hello KHURGUNOW,

You're too kind! Lol. I am more than happy to help.

This procedure can be done solo but having a friend to watch for bubbles and add fluid will make life way easier.

Here is the bleeding procedure I have always used:
1) Jack the car up and set on jackstands. Having the wheels off the ground will make it easier to bleed.

2) Make sure fluid is at the proper level. If it drops too low the system will suck air into it. Leave cap off the reservoir so the air can escape.

*As the wheel is moved side to side and air escapes, the fluid will want to come out of the reservoir and get everywhere if not watched carefully. If you are doing it by yourself then draping a rag over the reservoir will help keep it from splashing everywhere. I would have plenty of rags handy as this can be very messy, doesn't matter how many times you have done it. It happens*

3) Turn the steering wheel all the way to one side then all the way to the other until it stops very very slowly pausing for a moment when you get all the way to one side to allow the air to escape, then back to the other.

4) If you don't have someone helping you, I would go from one side to the other twice max and get out and check the fluid level and add just a little bit more. It is very important to make sure the fluid doesn't get to low or it will never bleed the air out.

5) Now repeat this process over and over. It could take close to an hour but just be patient and take your time and go slow. This will allow more time for the air to escape. The amount of air in the system will depend on how long it takes.

6) After you have done this several times you will notice you don't really need to add fluid anymore. Now most of the air should be out of the system. If you have a friend helping, they will notice the bubbles getting smaller and less frequent.

*Normally at this point we would start it with the cap off and continue to go side to side slowly with the steering wheel but since it is shaking like that, I would put the cap back on the reservoir and then start it and see what it does when you turn the wheel, so it doesn't get fluid everywhere in case it is still having the same issue*

Once the cap is on and it still on jackstands, try moving the wheel and see if it is still doing the same thing and let me know.

If not, continue on to next step:

7) Lower the vehicle off the jackstands and start the car again and continue to work the steering wheel back and forth all the way to one side then the other to get any excess air out.

8) Double check the fluid level and put cap back on.

If it is still shaking back and forth let me know and we can go from there.

Also, before lowering it, double check for any leaks. If there are leaks, they must be addressed because if fluid is leaking out air is getting in. Unfortunately, you will need to restart the bleed procedure over again from the beginning.

Please let me know if there is anything I didn't explain enough, or you need me to clarify. I am not always the best at explaining how to do things.

I hope this helps. Please don't be shy if you have any questions just let me know.

Thank you,
Brendon

Hello KHURGUNOW,

I don't like not being able to fix something either, so I get it. I like the puzzle to be honest.

My thought was maybe when we get most of the air out bleeding it with the key off. We could then start it and see if it still does it.

Initially the vehicle will be on jack stands and the key engine will be off. If air is causing the problem, then once most of it is out it would be a lot better if not gone when we go to start it.

Thank you,
Brendon

Hello KHURGUNOW,

Exactly and go nice and slow stopping at each side momentarily so the air can escape. It may take some time to work the air out.

Be sure to keep getting out and checking the level or have an assistant watch for you. If it gets too low during the bleeding process more air will enter the system.

If the level is too high, it can overflow while you are turning the wheel back and forth.

Getting fluid everywhere is likely to happen so having brake clean and a lot of rags handy will be a good idea. Doesn't matter how many times you have done it, it's inevitable.

Let me know how it goes.

Thank you,
Brendon

Hello KHURGUNOW,

Yes, that is normal when bleeding. You might have to use a mighty vac or maybe a turkey baster or whatever you have and remove a little fluid. Usually, it will go up and down as you turn side to side.

It sounds like it is working some air out. As the air moves through the system the level will raise and then it will eventually bubble, and the level will drop.

Have you seen any bubbles at all? If you are working by yourself, you could put you phone on record and point it at the reservoir so after you go back and forth a few times you can check the video and see if air is escaping or not.

The key is to go very slow.

You have been doing it with the engine off right?

Are there any leaks at all?

Maybe try letting it sit for like 20 min and see if the level goes back down.

How long have you been bleeding it?

Thank you,
Brendon

Hello KHURGUNOW,

I also took a look at the lines and the rack and the fittings for the lines look like they are the same size. So, it is possible they are switched.

As far as symptoms if that had been done, I don't have any information on it.

I would keep trying to bleed it with the car off. If there is no air coming out, then maybe try switching the lines and start the bleeding process over.

Normally it is hard to get the lines in the wrong spot but not impossible. They usually fit one way.

I did find a video where the power steering pressure line looks like it is the forward most line, furthest from the firewall and should have pink paint on it.

Hope this helps.

Thank you,
Brendon

Hello KHURGUNOW,

Also check the pressure sensor on the pressure side. I have added an image. Looks like it is going to be closer to the rack. Maybe it was damaged?

How is it going are you getting any air coming out?

Thank you,
Brendon

Hey Katina,

Oh, you're in Jersey? I'm in NY, upstate though. But sounds good. If you weren't getting any air at this point, then hopefully it is the rack. Definitely let me know how you make out. It seems like it is the rack, but I hate to condemn parts before we know for sure. But in your case, it seems like it might be a faulty part. In 30 years of wrenching, I don't remember ever seeing that, but then again there is always a first time for everything. If it isn't the cause don't stress, at the very least we know it isn't the rack and I will stick by you and test every component we can.

Vehicles are not cut and dry. Every one of them is different in my experience. Yes, there are similar problems but doesn't necessarily mean they are caused by the same thing. Personally, I like figuring out the puzzle. Especially an odd problem because the same issue over and over is, well, boring lol.

Hope you have a good night,
Brendon

Hey KHURGUNOW,

No problem, happy to help. I understand completely. Not a fun job on any vehicle, never mind having to do it twice. Definitely let me know what happens. If it fixes it, it will help someone else down the road and that is what we are all about. Plus, I am curious myself.

If not, let me know and we can try a few other things. Hopefully it is just a faulty rack, and you can be up and running again.

Thank you,
Brendon

Hello KHURGUNOW,

Really that's awesome. Glad to hear it! Yes, you are correct the control valve is that top piece the steering shaft connects to. But usually, people just replace the rack especially when it has a warranty. Nobody rebuilds anything anymore. Most of the time things are made to even come apart.

Also thank you for all the information on the other stuff. Good information for someone who comes across this post looking for help. I mean honestly not checking the switch just saved you time anyway.

What a weird problem though. I have been trying to find some stuff on it but there is nothing like it. I want to know why. I will let you know if I come up with anything.

Since this service is free, we have a Go Fund Me page to help. Our mission is simple, we want to spread as much information as possible about how to fix vehicles of all types because everyone has a right to repair their own vehicles.

Here is the link:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-help-others-get-back-on-the-road?utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer

We appreciate anything you can give.

It was a pleasure working with you. Glad you are all fixed up.

Let us know if you need anything else or just start a new question.

Enjoy your pizza.

Thank you,
Brendon