I replaced my struts, strut mounts, and tie rod ends today. While taking the car on a short test ride I noticed I've got some pretty good shuddering in the steering while turning hard at low speed. I'm almost positive it's p.s. pump or rack related, although it's never happened before (there's nothing obviously wrong with the p.s. system... belt tension good, fluid good and at proper level, no leaks etc..). I'm also confident that it isn't new part related. In other words I did the strut replacement properly. There's no binding or anything with the new parts.

Is it possible that air was drawn into the system when I repeatedly turned the steering manually (car not running) today during the work? If so, will it work itself out, or do I have to bleed it?

Any other ideas?

Thanks!

-Simon

Clearly most people did not read your original post correctly, or does not understand the problem. You've had air in the power steering rack. This is very common when you turn the wheel with the pump not running. Wheel alignment will not directly fix the problem, but in the process they raise the front end and let the car idle for some time. This will purge the air, and is the safe way of doing it. My 1988 240 was designed for the Philipines and has a cheaper rack that does not self bleed. In fact, the fluid connections are at the bottom of the rack and there is no bleeder screw! It takes only once turning the wheel to lock without the engine running to cause a dangerous shudder from the steering, and 2 weeks+ to self bleed. Most other racks self bleed very quickly.

Have fun...

Well, whatever it was it's not doing it anymore! Took another spin around the neighborhood... didn't shudder at all. Sweet!

Thanks for the replies.

-Simon

I was going to post that, it happened to me once while changing the ball joints.

I have a very similar thing happen on my car even when turning the steering wheel when the car is stationary. I haven't figured out where it could be, but I am guessing it is from slack in the control arm from worn bushings.

Get an alignment, when I replaced front end parts on my car it drove like crap until I got it aligned. Its pretty hard to get it close in a home garage when the actual measurements in an alignment shop are in degrees.

I'd bet that after you get an alignment it will be good as new.

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Zack Silver 83' 242Ti (220k)

Have an alignment done. After replacing thoses items your camber and toe are most likely out of spec.
--
'80 DL 2 dr

I plan on getting one this weekend (doing bushings and balljoints Friday first)... it's very close right now though.

I forgot to mention that I can get the shuddering while turning the wheel when the car isn't moving. So it wouldn't seem like alignment is the issue. Or could it?

-Simon