Can beat up front struts cause poor handling and feeling of loose steering ?

[goedikey]

Hi,

I live in Montreal where there are a lot of potholes in the streets.
Just changed the rear struts but the front seem jumpy and wobbly.

I sometimes have poor handling while driving with and the steering wheel is tilted slightly in order to drive straight.

Had a mechanic check the front train and he said all the parts were fine. The struts dont show oil leaks but i know theyre dead because the front end goes up and down.

Is this the reason of my poor handling ? the steering wheel feels loose at times. My thinking is that the right struts is completely gone and this causes the weirdness in the steering. There is no vibration while driving at high speeds.


Thanks a lot !

[JoeyK]

Bad struts do make for very bad bandling. I doubt it will cure your loosness in your steering by raplacing then though. That problem lies w/in your steering unit most likely/

[goedikey]

thanks for your reply !

The steering feels loose only when driving.
When still, the steering feels very solid going back and forth.

Could it be that one side/strut is more busted than the other, like driving on one wheel ?

[JoeyK]

It would feel firm if your not moving. The only way I could see that struts making slop in your steering is if they were loose in thoer mounts. You may want to check & see if they are tight @ the top where they are mounted to the strut tower & also that the spindles are mounted tightly to them at the bottom. either way, if they're shot you may as well replace them & see if that cues your steering prob some too.