Steering pulls to the right

[WNDSRFR]

Got a weird problem lately. The steering is constantly pulling to the right. If I let go of the steering wheel the car will immediately turn about 30 degrees to the right. The pull isn't terribly strong but constant. If I drive about 5 mph the steering wheel pulses right, releases, pulses, releases, on and on and on in a steady rhythm. I think it has something to do with the power steering. The EPS coupler has been rattling for about a year now. It used to drive me crazy on rough roads, now it does it all the time. It rattles on even the smoothest highways. The only way to stop it is to put some bias on the steering which is exactly what is going on. I'm putting backlash on the coupler by turning the wheel left to counteract the pull to the right.
I've been planning to change the coupler for a year now but it's too hot right now. Maybe in November. I hope the steering lasts till then.
Meanwhile, I'll live with it as long as the steering doesn't completely fail. That would be bad.

[Ohio Enthusiast]

Hit any bumps or curbs? Might be alignment related, although it does sound both too extreme and intermittent to be that.
I'd try taking out the EPS fuse (big 80A fuse in the engine bay fuse block) and taking the car for a very short drive - steering becomes extremely heavy. If the pull goes away it's the EPS, if not it's alignment.

[WNDSRFR]

Haven't hit anything lately, actually I've kept it on the road for over 240,000 miles and never hit anything. I just noticed a new symptom. If I drive in reverse at 5 mph everything reverses. Now it pulses to the left. Maybe right front wheel bearing? or brake dragging? I'll have to jack it up and check that out. If it ever stops raining.

[WNDSRFR]

80 amps? Damn, that's a powerful motor.
I pulled the fuse and it makes no difference except that it's ALOT harder to steer. EPS is a wonderful thing. Like I said I've never hit anything so I doubt it's alignment but we'll see. Thought for sure it had to do with the EPS but I guess not.
This is a weird one.

[whataboutbob]

Inner tie rod ends getting sloppy?

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by WNDSRFR

80 amps? Damn, that's a powerful motor.
I pulled the fuse and it makes no difference except that it's ALOT harder to steer. EPS is a wonderful thing. Like I said I've never hit anything so I doubt it's alignment but we'll see. Thought for sure it had to do with the EPS but I guess not.
This is a weird one.

First off, WNDSRFR, at your age and station in life, you shouldn't have to be putting up with shit like that.

Since it is hot, humid and raining, I suggest you take your car into a local, reputable, alignment/front end shop and ask them to fix it.

Have them call you when it's fixed, catch a ride home, take a nap and wait for their call.

[WNDSRFR]

Jacked up the car to check the wheel bearings and brakes and I think I found the problem. I need to check my tires more often. The car is so low I can't really see them. But looks like I caught it JUST in time. I think one more hard right turn and the tread might have ripped off. Got an appointment for new tires tomorrow. I'll be riding my bike today.

[thomasmryan]

if you have a couple tape measures, check your toe before you mount fresh meat.

[WNDSRFR]

How do you measure toe with tape measures?
I was thinking about taping a yardstick to each tire and shooting a laser pointer from the rear yardstick to the front yardstick and see where the laser hits.

Or... I could have them do it at the tire shop with their machine.

[thomasmryan]

i use a couple pieces of 3/4" bar stock 24" long just to ball park the front and then string alignments all four corners to get it dead on the money.

you mentioned a popping sound in your original post so you might see if the bearing in the top hat pooped the bed. a bad bearing will bind the spring and increase the camber a tad.( this throws off the toe)

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by WNDSRFR

How do you measure toe with tape measures?
I was thinking about taping a yardstick to each tire and shooting a laser pointer from the rear yardstick to the front yardstick and see where the laser hits.

Or... I could have them do it at the tire shop with their machine.

NOW, you're catching on -

[WNDSRFR]

Well, I drove the backroads to the tire place in case the tire popped I would have less chance of getting killed. The rattle from the EPS coupler was absolutely driving me nuts. I figured I have to change that today. I've had the part for a year now. Got to the tire place and the guy had this app on his phone where he points the phone under the car at the tires and it checks for even wear. Came out perfect except for the right front of course. He offered to check the alignment for free but he said it would take half an hour. That's at least an hour in real time so I declined. Figured if the car handles good and wears evenly I don't care if it's aligned or not. Driving home the car handles perfectly again and constant THE RATTLE iS GONE. It only rattles on very rough roads again. I got so used to it before now I don't even notice it. Looks like the new EPS coupler is going to stay in the drawer a bit longer.