Steering wheel jerk

[rdpro219]

I have developed a new problem during the initial acceletartion and deceleration of my 98 legacy. At constant speed there is no problem, it happens when i initially let go of the accelerator completely, or return to pressing the gas pedal. The wheel jerks to the left sharply. It will also jerk again three or four more times when slowing to approach a stop.

Initial thoughts after looking around tells me it is possibly the opposite side cv shaft. I have known for a while that it needed to be replaced due to a tear in the boot that is away from the wheel. I dont expierance the crunching sound that comes with a worn out joint... so im thinking its possible there is something more.

I can controll the problem with gental acceleration and avoid the jerking completely, but that doesnt make the potential problem go away.

I hope this is not the front diff.... any thoughts?

Thank you in advance :smt006

[harrymaneuvers]

I would be pointing towards a CV axle as well...

In the few hundred miles before mine COMPLETELY failed... I noticed that when driving, the wheel would jerk to one side... not enough to make the car go out of control, but enough to feel it and know something wasnt right.

I would almost bet it is the axle with the torn CV boot.

[rdpro219]

Thank you Harry. so after the replacement of the CV i should hopefully have no problems.

[harrymaneuvers]

That would be the logical place to start. It isnt too hard to replace an axle or too expensive.

If the boot is torn, it is only a matter of time before it goes.

[rdpro219]

Ill get back with the results.

[rdpro219]

this post is in the wrong area.... sorry

I got another 350 miles out of the CV and it all went to hell. Seventy dollars, and less than an hour later It was all new again. Nothing anyone cant handle without a cheater bar and a 32 mm socket.

Thanks again

[harrymaneuvers]

When you say it went to hell... Are you saying it catastrophically failed?

That is about the same mileage I got after I noticed the jerk until it catastrophically failed. Literally chunks of metal bouncing off the ground and the underbody of the car.

Glad to hear you got it fixed though!

[rdpro219]

The joints were popping on turns, and it gave the symptoms of worn out drivers side breaks, like as if the caliper was frozen. I would have been scared to drive it any more.

Funny thing is.. I had read before that it is true in some cases, people drive on a noisy CV. It pops and grinds, but I heard some just turn up the radio, and are fine for a little while..

I can't believe that anymore. This all came on too quickly.

Hopefully someone can use all this in the future