Struts? Not going into gear?

So I have a 99 grand am gt with 107k miles.

I KNOW the struts are bad because going over bumps is like being on a roller coaster and getting whiplash. I am not sure how long this car was driven with bad struts, because I have not had it that long. It was owned by someone that lived on a dirt road, hooraye. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone thought there was additional damage, because driving on a flat paved road has a rocking feeling, almost as though I have a tire with no air. But we just filled my tires, anyway. My struts also make terrible noises sometimes, like popping and bouncing and for a while we thought it was the donut in the trunk.

My car also veers when I drive. Terribly. When I first started driving it, everything seemed fine. Some days it doesn't veer, other days it does. And it veers to the left AND the right. Is this NOT my alignment but something else?

And twice I have started my car and it won't let me put it in gear. The first time I thought, well maybe my car didn't start [because as mentioned in other threads, it has a tendency to do that, too] but the second time I knew it was on. It will click into gears, but it won't do anything. If I shut it off and turn it on, then it works fine.

OH I had a steering problem for a while too. When I turn the wheel to far it makes a terrible noise. And I was parking a few weeks ago, and it made like a clicking noise in the passenger side dash. It was especially when I turned the wheel to one side. But I don't remember which. I thought my steering was going to fail. It doesn't really happen any more though... it just stopped.

Anyway, could someone give me some advise? Maybe tell me more about struts because I don't know anything about cars and I would rather not lose my steering and have my springs give way so my axel breaks and whatever else you may.

Thank you!

Welcome to AF!

Sounds like your struts are bad, and so is your alignment!!

Your foot needs to be on the brake to shift out of gear.

If you had your foot on the brake,

then your brake/shift interlock soleniod could be going bad or a loose connection.

Its in the console near the shiter.

Do you know, price wise, how much it would be to replace the struts? And what kind of danger does it present if I do not get them fixed for another month or so?

That does not sound so pretty about the not going into gear thing, because my foot was definitely on the brake both times.

Oh, my antenna is messed up. REALLY bad. Is there any way to fix that or do anything about that? I can hardly listen to the radio.

Thank you so much!

Try here for struts... about $80 each.
http://www.z-spec.com/catalog

I would replace the struts before you get an alignment,, it'll need it. It should be ok for a week or two.

My SE has over 180k miles on the factory struts and they are getting replaced with those KYB's.

Not sure about the antennii could be loose from the radio, or in the trunk. They do get a bit rusty in the trunk..

if those are the GR-2s or watever theyre really great i got them with my intrax springs and the ride is nice and stiff i love it

Yeah jmoney those are the new KYB's.
I ordered a set for the SE about 6days ago.....
Hope they get here sooon!!

Way cheaper then the stock struts at NAPA or Carquest!!