I just changed the driver's side CV joint. I am not sure how this effected the steering Colum since the CV joint connects to the transmission. its and older car, 1987 Buick.
Any one know why my steering feels loose and jerks when i run over bumps, %26amp; the steering wheel isnt centered?
If you unmounted the McPherson strut when changing the axle which I believe you would have to do when swapping the axles then the remounting of the strut may not be where it was before starting. The strut holds the tire upright and controls how the top of the tire leans in or out. When you reattached the strut it did not get put back where it had been and now the tie-rod attached to it is now out of position. I doubt anything is worn out this soon after replacing the axle. Take the car in for a front end alignment and the shop should be able to reposition it for you.
Any one know why my steering feels loose and jerks when i run over bumps, %26amp; the steering wheel isnt centered?
alignment sounds like you didnt do something right
You have a suspension problem. Your CV shaft shouldn't affect the wheel alinement unless for some reason your tie rod ends have been replaced or adjusted.
Check ball joints, tie rods
Worn ball joints (if equipped), worn tie rod ends, worn shocks. Or possibly you didn't get everything tightened properly after working on it. The steering wheel being not centered indicates bad wheel alignment which can be contributed to the aforementioned parts being worn out.
im unfamiliar with the design of your steering system, but take into account all the things mentioned above as well as steering rack bushings.
i would say ball joints, get them replaced but first make sure which ones, even when they look good you have to test them, get the wheels out one by one and shake the ball joints, they shouldn't have any loose movement.
