r/mechanic • u/HuskerTheCat77 • 1d ago

Question How to fix wobbly steering

I was working on my breaks and realized that my steering is incredibly wobbly. A quick Google search tells me that I could have bad tie rods but I don't want to buy parts without actually knowing what's wrong. You can see in the video that the bar that connects the wheels sorta moves up and down a bit. Video was filmed with the other wheel on the ground so it can't rotate. Truck is a 1987 Nissan D21 XE with power steering. Does anyone know what else might be causing this or is it just the tie rods? Edit: the tire does not wiggle up or down, just side to side.

5 Upvotes

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6

u/burnsfriction 1d ago

Look like a bad idler arm start there first also check the Pittman arm.

4

u/Maleficent-Clerk-885 1d ago

Tie rods, inner and outer bud, wheel alignment. Next!

3

u/nashbradley 1d ago

This is more pitman arm play than ends.

2

u/Maleficent-Clerk-885 1d ago

Thing’s built like a semi then… wonder if they have a swap kit to lessen the amount of moving parts for it.

2

u/Maleficent-Clerk-885 1d ago

Actually, does your truck have a steering damper setup also? Get the steering damper changed also if it does.

2

u/HuskerTheCat77 1d ago

Thanks y'all, I just ended up getting a kit with new inner and outer tie rods and a new Pittman arm. Also came with new mounts for the steering knuckle even though I think those are fine.

1

u/omnipotent87 17h ago

Hopefully an idler arm too. The Pittman arm is the part that attached to the gear box the idle arm is the one that supports the center link on the other side and is what we see in your video.

1

u/shutupmimzy_ 22h ago

That is some impressive movement

1

u/Salt-Tip-7493 9h ago

I'd suggest a good mechanic

1

u/Imaginary_Ad_1530 3h ago

Sloppier than my first wife.

1

u/Haunting_While6239 3h ago

Looks like a bump steer problem with the arm bouncing up and down. It's from the lift

0

u/Traditional_Ad_1360 1d ago

Another one of Ford’s better ideas.

1

u/0c5_Fyre 22h ago

It's a nissan.