Steering Wheel Jerks!

[Derek]

Hey everybody,

I have a 1993 Ford Festiva GL. The other day I was driving home from work and the steering wheel started violently jerking to the right. It does that often now, its off and on. The wheel jerks to the right it usually the worst when I am turning to the left. I know I need to replace my CV joints and I do have a tire that needs to be replaced in the back left. Also my belts have been making a squeaky noise recently.

If you have any ideas on the problem just let me know, and also is it safe to drive to work which is about 15 miles round trip?

Thanks!!

[Damkid]

Best bet is to inspect all suspension components for any loose play in them

[shadetree]

x2 as above ck all the front end but my guess is that axle . and stop driving the car it will get worse ....

[georgeb]

Once I had a CV lock up intermittently on a VW fox. It would yank on the steering like that. Had to drive on the freeway shoulder for 30+ miles. Actually was able to repair it with cleaning, lube and new boot.

[WmWatt]

Don't drive the car. You don't want a wheel to fall off while you're driving. A couple of people here, myself included, have had that happen. I've had it happen on two cars, once many years ago when I was a student driving a piece of junk, both times turning slowly, and both times a ball joint separated. I was lucky.

Put the front end up on blocks so the wheels are off the ground and the car is solidly supported. Push on the car to make sure it's solid. Then reach under and pull and shove on all the parts you can reach to see if any are loose. Take a look at all the rubber coverings to see if any are torn. That may help you find the part which needs replacing. Otherwise drive it slowly to a mechanic for an estimate.

[Movin]

Jerking while turning is the CV locking up.
Lube and reboot or install reman ( preferred )

Note..Safety issue red tag yourself !!

[nebrfestiva]

I put my money on the cv joints too. Had the same issue with my F350 4X4, the right front ujoint froze up.

[zoom zoom]

The oil squirter needs new bearings!
























(Not really)

[denguy]

Fix it before you hurt someone.

[georgeb]

If one of your boots is torn, that's the fella.