Steering or suspension problem?

[psiu]

Here's another fun troubleshooting one for the gurus here:Driving back across Michigan today on the interstate, the car started to pull right a bit and there was a lot of vibration in the steering wheel (back and forth maybe 3 inches each way).Gave a few slight swerves and varied speed from about 60-80mph, but it kept going so I took the next exit I could. Got pretty bad at the end of ramp, made my right turn, fought the car over to the left lane, and then made a left turn into a parking lot.As I did that, there was a distinct "boink" from the front-rightish sounding area. Everything was fine after that.Possibly related clues:Felt like I hit some debris (sounded like on the right side) shortly before this started on the interstate--but I hadn't seen any Quite a few months ago my wife and I headed out from our apartment, and the car was pulling HARD to the right, I literally had the wheel cranked over almost 90 degrees to keep it straight, it ended up settling itself down pretty quickly though, like before I could get it off the road to look at.Dunno if that stuff is related at all, but there you go.Pertinent info:2003 Vibe, auto, ~91K miles, normally drives nice and straight.

[joatmon]

it almost sounds like something pops in and out, and obviously it shouldn't be doing that. First thing I would check is the wheels, make sure they aren't damaged and all the lug nuts are tight. Then maybe jack up each front wheel and make sure they don't flop around. Other than that, look at the various steering and suspension pieces, to see if there are any signs of something having moved that shouldn't, such as a clean edge near a junction of parts, or fresh scrapes or scratches. But if you can't figure it out and fix it yourself, take it in to a shop somewhere, and see if they can figure it out. It doesn't not sound very safe to have your steering spontaneously go wrong.

[scherry2]

sounds like the steering gear. better check the fluid and like joatmon says get to a dealer. something isn't right.

[Sublimewind]

Well there are only a few components in the system.... Lower control arms, ball joints for the LCA, the strut assembly, the steering rack, the steering rack tie rods and the tie rod ball joints... From what you are describing, it really sounds like the rack may have come lose, and when you herd the "boink" i may have moved back into position.... ? I really can't think of anything else that would "pop" back into place, short of the inner tie rods on the rack... I've done a few tie rod replacements and i just can't seem to gather that the tie rods would come lose, BUT, that doesn't mean that they couldn't have... Steering rack or tie rods is the direction i ould take...

[kevera]

I have to agree with Sublime.I would think from the symptoms you described,that the rack is gone.

[psiu]

Well, I will probably try to pop it up this weekend and take a gander at it. Like I said, it has been quite awhile since that first incident, but the old saying about smoke and fire comes to mind also.Plus I think I managed to not screw the gascap on straight on the drive over, so now the check engine light is on...hope it goes away.Started a new job (apprentice position with the local electrical union/contractor association) and have been getting to drive into Detroit every day also....the roads are fantastic down there. That probably doesn't help either.Thanks for the pointers everyone....steering rack....doesn't sound too cheap

[Sublimewind]

Boy, i know how the roads down there are... I go to DTE often to concerts... closer you get to D-town the worse the roads get, which is why you really should get this taken care of.... On the other hand, i know for a fact that you can survive a 4 roll "rollover", cause i know someone that did it in a Vibe....