Need to figure out next step(s)

[KoalaCowboy]

Background Info:

Last Thursday (Thanksgiving), after driving to friends house, having dinner and all that, I went to leave and vehicle started fine...but battery light, temp. gauge and power steering were a no-go.

FIXED THAT by replacing the idler pulley assy (basically the spring tensioner section exploded and left nothing to function.

After fixing that the next day, I went to leave my buddy's house (crashed on his couch for the night) and the power steering was fluttering quite a bit.

Checked the Power Steering fluid reservoir, it was full. Checked to ensure belt was securely moving over all pulleys, which it is.

Primary Problem/Issue:

So I continue to drive home. En route, I drive over a man-hole that is sunken in the road about 1-2 inches...and suddenly the steering and front-end are vibrating to the point of almost not having control (thank God I was only driving 25 mph at the time).

I've checked all the hoses, the steering seems to be okay,etc and I know the shocks are good as I replaced them less than 1 year ago.

Any ideas on what might be going on? I haven't experienced any more of the MAJOR shakes, but am still gun-shy about hitting a pot hole or similar.

Thanks in advance.

- -
Pete

[shorod]

The power steering shudder may have been due to air in the system from attempting to turn the steering wheel without the pump turning.

The vibration after hitting the pot hole could be indicating that you have a loose steering component such as a ball joint or tie rod end. You should inspect the front end for any abnormally loose components.

-Rod

[KoalaCowboy]

Rod,
Thanks for the suggestions. I'll take a look at those sometime this week (thank God I am a telecommuter. Less driving to do).

- -
Pete