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When accelerating the wheel jerks to the right

Tiny
052361
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER
  • 3.3L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • 235,000 MILES
I believe I have a steering problem. While driving, when accelerate the wheel jerks to the right. When I take my foot off the gas it jerks to the right. If I get it over 40 mph, and hit a bump. It rocks side to side like I was rocking the steering wheel back and forth.
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Friday, July 5th, 2019 AT 7:44 PM

17 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,874 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.

Have you checked all steering components including tie rods, ball joints, wheel bearings, and made sure the steering gear isn't loose? This sounds dangerous. What I need you to do is safely lift the front of the vehicle so one wheel at a time is off the ground. Place your hands at 3 and 9 o'clock and see if you can wiggle what wheel back and forth without the other wheel moving. Next, place your hands at 6 and 12 o'clock and see if there is up and down play in the wheel.

If you look at picture 1, it shows the rack and pinion, tie rods, and mount bushings. I circled everything that needs checked for play. Number 1 represents outer tie rods, number 2 the inner tie rods which are under the rubber boots, and number 3 is the mount and rubber bushings that hold the rack on the vehicle. Check for play in any of those things.

In picture 2, check the areas circled for play. Number 1 shows the control arm bushings. Number 2 in the picture is the lower ball joint. Check for play there when your hands are at the 6 and 12 o'clock positions.

Please note that if everything is tight, check the frame for any rust issues.

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Joe
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Friday, July 5th, 2019 AT 8:15 PM
Tiny
052361
  • MEMBER
  • 98 POSTS
Well the bearing are good. No movement in either of the wheels. Ball joint are tight. The control arm bushings are still good. Replaced them about a year ago. On the passenger side the boot over the inner tie rod is ripped and the rack bushing on that side is worn out, and not holding anything. Tie rod ends are good tight.
I didn't see any damage to the inner tie rod, bit don't really know what to look for.
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Saturday, July 6th, 2019 AT 8:00 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,874 POSTS
Welcome back:

It sounds like you found the cause, the rack bushing. That is what holds the rack in place. If it is able to move, that is most likely the cause. As far as inner tie rods, you will see them move in and out while the other side doesn't move. Also, if you hold your hand on it, you can feel it.

If possible, take a picture of the bushing you are referring to and upload it for me to see. It will help me confirm the issue.

Take care,
Joe
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Saturday, July 6th, 2019 AT 7:54 PM
Tiny
052361
  • MEMBER
  • 98 POSTS
In place.
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Sunday, July 7th, 2019 AT 12:12 PM
Tiny
052361
  • MEMBER
  • 98 POSTS
These are the best pics I could get. I got the new bushings. What I need to know is, do I have to remove the rack completely, or can they be changed with the rack in-place?
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Sunday, July 7th, 2019 AT 12:15 PM
Tiny
052361
  • MEMBER
  • 98 POSTS
This is the way the bushing came off. The other looked new, after repairs, test drive showed the jerking was gone, and the rocking didn't start until over 65 mph.
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Sunday, July 7th, 2019 AT 5:51 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,874 POSTS
Wow! That was bad. Is everything back to normal? That was actually dangerous. I'm glad you spotted it.

Joe
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Sunday, July 7th, 2019 AT 7:29 PM
Tiny
052361
  • MEMBER
  • 98 POSTS
No, it still rocks from side to side. But not at 40mpgs but something else. The bushing was oil soaked and soft and pliable, like foamb rubber instead of hard rubber.
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Sunday, July 7th, 2019 AT 8:03 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,874 POSTS
Was there any play left and right when you checked at the wheels? If it is still wondering on you, it can be dangerous. When you say rocking, do mean up and down or left and right?
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Sunday, July 7th, 2019 AT 9:28 PM
Tiny
052361
  • MEMBER
  • 98 POSTS
Left to right or side to side. The jerk to the right when accelerating or slowing is gone. I got the truck up to 65 mph before the rocking started, instead of the 40 mph, like before.
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Monday, July 8th, 2019 AT 4:31 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,874 POSTS
Something else is loose. Are you certain there is no play? Something is moving.
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Monday, July 8th, 2019 AT 7:37 PM
Tiny
052361
  • MEMBER
  • 98 POSTS
I went through the steering again. It is all tight now, no more jerking. But I still have the rocking. Am going to look at the suspension. The truck logged most of its miles pulling a trailer.
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Wednesday, July 10th, 2019 AT 6:47 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Welcome back:

Let me know if you find anything. Also, I don't know where you are located, but in PA, the frames are a big issue. Most of these have rusted and have been put to rest. LOL Make sure there isn't a broken stabilizer bar or something similar.

Let me know.

Take care,
Joe
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Wednesday, July 10th, 2019 AT 7:58 PM
Tiny
052361
  • MEMBER
  • 98 POSTS
Will do. Thanks Joe I'll let you know what I find. I'm in Oklahoma.
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Thursday, July 11th, 2019 AT 5:00 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,874 POSTS
Sounds like a plan. Take care and I'll watch for your reply.

Joe
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Thursday, July 11th, 2019 AT 6:58 PM
Tiny
052361
  • MEMBER
  • 98 POSTS
After an extended wait, I finally got around to getting this job done. After a lot of inspections, and a lot of research I found what they are calling the pathfinder. Death wobble.
A way fix. Replaces the rear lower control arms. Problem solved.
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Tuesday, September 10th, 2019 AT 10:57 AM

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