I've recently noticed there are sometimes several small kicks in the steering wheel when the wheel is turned at my last HPDE. It doesn't happen all the time and I'm not running over the curbing or rocks or anything. Is this a normal problem? I thought it was a powersteering fluid issue but it doesn't seem like its the right symptom.

For instance, I turn the wheel and hold it at a constant radius and there will be several small kicks that force the wheel to turn the opposite direction. There's not enough force that it's uncontrollable but it does feel violent enough to not be road imperfections and what not.

2008 base model if that matters.

 

Is your car lowered?

 

No, stock suspension. Alignment is -1/16th in total toe out front and +1/16th total toe in rear.

 

by kicks you mean there is some force feedback through the steering?

Might be your tie rods...check to see if they are loose.

 

is this happening only when you are on "full load" into the turn?
I had a similar problem at my last HPDE that I cannot repeat on the road... a feeling like the steering gets loose when pushing really hard and some "clicking" feel... but doesn't feel like the steering rack clicking.. something around the suspension.

I think in my case are the lower arm bushing broken or the endlinks (both stock and both with several hpde)...

yes I'm lowered.

 

It could just be kickback through the wheel. Check the basics first:

1. Lug nut torque.
2. Suspension nuts and bolts - in particular the upper control arms.
3. Tire pressures.
4. PS fluid.

 

I fixed mine... I'm too ashamed to tell what it was.

 

I usually do a visual check when swapping out wheels and pads, I'll run through the suspension with a torque wrench next time.

Thanks guys

 

ok... I fixed the "main" issue (that actually was a loose endlink) but I still have an issue...

if I try to steer with the engine off.. with a good amount of force on the steering wheel I can hear a "click" both steering left or right.

there is NO PLAY on the steering wheel, there is no click trying to steer with the car turned on, front bearings are fine, lugs are at 80ft/lbs on arp studs.
upper A arms are 350 evo and retorqued couple of weeks ago. lower still all stock, including bushings. (my endlinks are stock and noisy... I'll change them)
just this click that feel exactly like the click I was having on the track at full lateral load.