crazy steering - is something wrong or just my driving?

motorguy

ali-t wrote: »

How would I know it is a possible fatal steering fault?

I took my car to the garage a while ago due to a beeping noise that I could hear but was told that it was unlikely to be anything serious but that diagnostic testing that would run to £100's could be done to put my mind at ease.

This could have been something similar or like other posters have said, it may have been a spill on the road. I prefer to be forearmed before going into things.

I bet your local garage love you if you go in everytime something out of the usual happens.

You told us it has happened more than once to varying degrees and that the car tried to steer straight even though you were turning hard??

Could be a problem with the rack, ball joint, track rod end, suspension arm, etc, etc - all of which may go on to FAIL on you, but you think its better to take the opinions on board of people who wont have even seen the car.

Suspension, tyres and steering are things you dont !!!!!! with - My brother nearly killed himself and my sister when a bottom arm gave out on his 306 peugeot - he "got away with" a written off car and some severely dented pride.

Squeeks, exhaust noises, hey maybe even a clunk, i'll ponder or maybe stick a thread of a specialist forum, but your car sometimes tries to go straight when you turn.... :eek:

somech

if its a fatal steering failure then would'nt the fault manifest itself permanently
i think it would
as its only happended on that one junction then i/we can would deduce that maybe a slippery surface caused the said steering issue

anewman

pgilc1 wrote: »

better to rely on the opinion of an armchair mechanic .. rather than one out in the real world....

Even real-world garage mechanics can get things wrong as we see evidence of time and again on these forums.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

Steering faults, lol.

Its freezing cold almost every night, the roads are a mess, and diesel and oil spills are common.

Amazing that few here recognise the obvious symptoms of loss of traction.

TighterThanTwoCoatsOfPain

oldagetraveller wrote: »

Whatever! Instead of being a smart!!!!! why not try and give the Op some advice or help?:(

i wasnt going to bite, but seriously, get a grip!

you suggested that you had experianced an issue which was directly linked to the type of assist.

Someone reading that could legitimately be concerned to read about this issue you alluded to and a simply asked for more info...

no !!!! 9smart or otherwise0 in sight! :mad:

focae

How many posts do we get for steering/slipping/skidding issues in the winter versus the same problems in the summer. I bet we rarely see these posts in the summer.

My guess is that the answer to the majority of these queries is - it is winter.

You kind of have to accept that at this time of year you can have loads of grip one minute and nothing at all the next - and there may be no visible cues as to when this will happen.

You have to treat every corner or brake application accordingly and save those tyre squealing drifts on roundabouts for the summer

cyclonebri1

ali-t wrote: »

I had a weird experience in my car the other day when the steering went haywire and felt like the car was going into a skid.

I was driving into a road (90 degree turn) and the car kept going right even though I had stopped steering that direction. I tried to correct it and it went really extremely to the left. The best word I can think of to describe the steering was that it felt 'loose'.

It has happened since but to a much lesser extent but I don't know if this is just a result of my driving or if something is wrong with the car. The car is a honda jazz and I have had it for 5 years so this is definitely something new.

I was just wondering if anyone had any ideas before I phone the garage. I don't want to get ripped off if this is something that isn't a fault. Thanks

Then read what the op said in the 1st place, get the clues?, money saving forum, place to come for advice so not to get ripped off
It had already been stated the car was of to the garage, others were trying to clue up the OP, you weren't

cyclonebri1

pgilc1 wrote: »

Get Real?? Me, get real?

Yes, you're right - better to rely on the opinion of an armchair mechanic like yourself rather than one out in the "real" world....

See above, and yes I am a engineer, a proper one

ali-t

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

Steering faults, lol.

Its freezing cold almost every night, the roads are a mess, and diesel and oil spills are common.

Amazing that few here recognise the obvious symptoms of loss of traction.

I make no bones about not knowing anything about cars and this is why I asked the question - less fear of looking like an idiot online

I phoned the garage and they said I can bring it in next week but in the meantime to check the tyre pressure as this could be what has caused it. If I get my tyres blown up (if required) and it still happens then I should take it in, otherwise I can cancel the appointment.

Thanks to everyone who offered constructive suggestions and advice. I will post feedback when I know what it is that is wrong with it.

tandraig

ali-t? has the car been in garage for any work recently?