Loose feeling in steering at highway speeds.

When I've been cruising at highway speeds for awhile, I start to get this kind of loose feeling through the steering column. Its weird-for short distances on the highway I don't feel it. But, say anything over a half hour it's there. I'm getting new tires and an alignment this week, and I'll ask the guys to check out all the front end parts. Is there anything in particular that I should have them look for? How do you check for the connection in the column (rag joint is it called)? Could that be it? The car just turned 120,000 miles, and is rust free and in otherwise excellent shape. When we make our yearly trip from Pittsburgh to Florida it is especially annoying. There is no unusual tire wear, by the way. Thanks.

One area to check would be the Variable Effort Steering system. If the feeling comes and goes it would probably not be the steering shaft coupling or anything mechanical. The VES system might erroneously be giving full boost at speed, which could cause what you are describing.

If you disconnect the terminal at the back of the power steering pump the system will be in full boost mode all the time, meaning that your steering should feel loose all the time.

lamune wrote:

If you disconnect the terminal at the back of the power steering pump the system will be in full boost mode all the time, meaning that your steering should feel loose all the time.

Do you mean tight? The best way to describe it is that something inside the column feels loose. Not dangerously loose, just annoying. Last spring I had my Florida mechanic look over the front end before we headed up north, and he said all the parts looked fine. To be honest, I forgot to tell him about the loose feeling, I just asked him to look everything over and change the oil before we left.

Rev Bob wrote:

One area to check would be the Variable Effort Steering system. If the feeling comes and goes it would probably not be the steering shaft coupling or anything mechanical. The VES system might erroneously be giving full boost at speed, which could cause what you are describing.

Do all Roadmaster wagons have the Variable Effort Steering System?

no

How would I know if it has it or not?

RPO code

"How would I know if it has it or not?"

The RPO is NV7. Also,look for the angle transducer on the steering shaft. This transducer sends a signal to the VES module if the wheel is being turned very rapidly, as if avoiding an object in the road, etc. The VES module uses this signal to restore full boost, regardless of speed.

If this transducer or wiring is faulty, it may be forcing the VES to full boost at inappropriate times.

Mark 96 Roady wrote:

Do you mean tight? The best way to describe it is that something inside the column feels loose. Not dangerously loose, just annoying. Last spring I had my Florida mechanic look over the front end before we headed up north, and he said all the parts looked fine. To be honest, I forgot to tell him about the loose feeling, I just asked him to look everything over and change the oil before we left.

No, I mean loose. I've had it lose its mind a couple of times at highway speeds during a long, sweeping turn. It feels like the feedback goes away and suddenly the steering wheel just goes in the direction you're turning. It's a very frightening thing to have happen.

If you have the NV7 steering system and you disable it, the steering will be at full boost and basically "loose" all the time.

My 94 sedan does the same thing when on long road trips

I've had that happen on local roads where it feels like the steering gets stiff and then loosens up. Turned out to be my water pump leaking onto the serpentine belt causing it to slip.
On another car, I had the variable effort steering valve start to fail causing a similar situation. I unplugged the connector behind the pump as said above and it took care of it.

Actually, I think the solenoid in mine is getting stuck. If any of you guys have one (or the whole pump) sitting around I'd be interested in buying it so I can get it on the bench and test it.

Well I got my car back today, and the problem is fixed, I think. I took it for a 20 minute highway ride, and it literally seems like a different car. I guess there were a combination of problems leading to the loose feeling I was experiencing. First, the idler arm was pretty bad. Secondly, the tech said he thought one of my old front tires was out of balance. And, I got an alignment too. These issues, combined with 4 brand new tires resulted in the car driving better than I ever remember it since I bought it. The Lanvigator white wall tires look great. If anyone wants them, Google the name since for some weird reason they will not show up under a general white wall search. I will be going on a 150 trip on Sunday, so I'll get a chance to see if the problem is gone for good.

"" I'll get a chance to see if the problem is gone for good. ""

Please let us know. None of this seems like it would come and go.

Thanks.

Sorry it took a few days to get back. The car still feels like a new one. Steering is tight, no more wiggly-wobbly feeling!

how about sharing a picture of the new tires?