It feels like my steering wheel is loose or something. When I slowly change directions or quickly change directions the steering wheel seems to pop or jump like it is loose or something. It's nothing huge, but can definately be felt. Do you guys think it's in the suspension (I've checked and everything is tight and trouble free as far as i know) or do you think it is somehow in the wheel or steering mechanism itself. Please let me know if anyone else is having this problem, or has fixed it, it's driving me nuts.

oh yeah, it's a 03 ls sport.

how many miles ya got there, did you check the power steering fluid level? whats the condition of the serpentine belt?

also could be one of your front strut mounts, the bearings tend to seize and cause symptoms like your discribing

listening as I also notice this............

I'd check the bearings first, sounds just like a siezed bearing. Could of course be no PS fluid, or something similar (leak). Youre PS Pump runs off the cam-shaft, so no belt to check.

mine does this as well, its an 02

All of the obvious things are okay. The car has just turned 60k. I know the power steering pump is cam driven too, so I didn't bother to check the belt, but I will just for the hell of it.
I'm not sure what you mean about strut mount bearings.... I feel a VERY LIGHT jump when changing direction and it only happens when the direction changes. During continuous turning in the same direction everything is tight and trouble free. My g/f's 95 z24 has the strut mount problem, and it's poppy through the entire range. (mechanic diagnosed, but self never fixed because the car has 160k on the 2.3 and she's waiting on it to grenade so she can get a new car, plus the rest of the car is ROUGH) When I did the front struts on my camaro I didn't notice any "bearing". Only the strut mount itself and bushings that hold it to the car. I know thats comparing apples to oranges, but a strut is a strut right? I really appreciate the ideas, but help clear up by what you mean about "bearing".

I know tie rod ends have a bearing like quality to them, is that what you guys are talking about? Ball joints have the same quality too.....maybe that is what your refferring to....But with only 60k miles i doubt it.

The 2.3L engine is an awsome little engine. I've got one in my GAM and love it. True that the head gaskets go faster than most, but I can change that and rebuild the whole top end over a weekend.

The Camaro comparison is definately apples to oranges. The mount bearing is part of the mount assembly. A mount is (in our cars) made of up a spring seat, bearing, and bearing plate.

We're not talking about the ball joint on the tie rod. BTW, Have you ever greased those?

The problem you're describing is sounding more like one of two things. The Rack and Pinion assembly, or the steering shaft. Either one is a b*tch to fix.
If it's the R&P you may be able to rebuild it, otherwise replace.
If it's the steering shaft, you'll need to disassemble it, check for any excessive wear (replace as necessary), then grease the hell out of it when you reassemble it.

what about A- arm bushings. i have no jump in my steering but to get a noise thats sounds like a thud but when i take off or brake i can feel it but my A- arm bushing are wasted.


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Wouldn't make a popping in the steering. I'd replace them though.