Rep Power: 0

Hey guys.

This is in regards to my stock 2002 Civic EX with 213k miles.

So here's the issue:

About 300 miles ago I was parallel parking when I noticed my steering wheel jerking against the direction I was trying to turn it. Since then, this issue can be reproduced whenever I am stopped and I'm turning the wheel. I think it happens while the car is moving too, but it is much less noticeable.

My wife said it was "like an invisible ghost pulling against the wheel." I'd say that's an accurate description. It is intermittent and kinda jerky.

It has to be something with the steering since it mainly only happens when I'm stopped. For that reason, I KNOW it's not the rotors or alignment or anything like that (I just replaced them anyways).

Some other pertinent info: about 1,000 miles ago I replaced the alternator. As you know, this required messing with the power steering pump...so maybe something got messed up?

Today I flushed the PS fluid and put fresh Honda PS fluid in it. It didn't fix anything so now I'm fresh out of ideas. FWIW, I think this was the first time ever (!) the PS fluid has been changed.

Thoughts? Thanks!!!

 
Rep Power: 0

FWIW - My son's 2002 Accord was behaving in a very similar manner recently, and it ended up needing a lower control arm bushing replacement.

 
Rep Power: 150

Once you get the play out say at one mph on a smooth parking lot and you turn to left (to get play out) and you keep turning it and it sort of jumps fwd more then you are turning it. I would surely take it in with that mileage and get it checked out. The system is basically a hydraulic pump that pushes the steering. When you turn, your mechanical push pushes a valve and this opens the hydraulic line to apply more power to your effort. If this valve is broken, it could get you hurt. Know my father GM Buick rack when out and it was doing same thing. When it went, it totally locked up in a slow left turn and he could not get it back straight due to the effort since it caught him off guard and he hit something. GM dealer said it was just out of warranty (by about 100 miles but it had been failing for months) Anyway, they only charged him for labor and shop waste. Within a short time, GM owned up after they got a few more people killed then the insurance figured they could hide and they had a problem. They gave his labor back but not the shop waste. I was with him and his wife. Surprised her when I told the service manager where he could stick his waste back up. They actually sent my father another check.