I have a 1999 Hyundai Accent 1.5L Base model with a manual transmission. While you are driving down the road, the front end will randomly jerk to the left and then sometimes back to the right, almost like it is floating, but with a hard pull on the steering in either direction. The tires are good and for the most part has a good alignment. I can't figure out what it could be because it is not just pulling to one side.



These are the times when it happens:



Clutch is engaged to shift gears at normal highway speeds

During acceleration or deceleration at normal highway speeds



NOT during braking or when the accelerator is held at one constant position



It has manual steering, not power. Does anyone have any ideas? Rack and pinion or A Frame maybe? Would like to fix it myself, but not sure where to start or how much I am looking at for parts.

 

Stab in Dark.



With power steering the wheel can jerk sightly when there air in system. (but u dont have power steering)



Jack the car up.



Lock ur steering wheel ( remove key and move it till the steering lock engages)



Shake your wheel up and down and left and right.



It sounds to me like you have a worn Ball joints. "almost like it is floating"

 

if u feel any movement at all. Looks at the ball joints for any movement. If shaft is moving inside the bearing enuff to feel it. It needs to be replaced.





Only other thing it could be Massively out of line wheels, It will drift.. never normal "Jerk"



If you have inner or outta Tyre damage you need alignment. (Check ur ball joints first)

 

tie rods/ball joints/control arm bushings/strut mounts can all cause what you are talkin about



did you get a professional alignment or are you guessing that its "good?"

 

never known strut mounts cause car to jerk one way or other. but if there dicked ur need change them

 

It was professionally aligned. I will check the ball joints first. At first, I had thought maybe a tie rod was bad, but have never known that to pull as hard or "jerk" as bad as it is doing. It feels like the whole front end is being affected. I will repost after checking ball joints.

 

Does it happen on smooth pavement? In southern California they groove the concrete on the highways and some car/tire combinations will be pulled around by the grooves

 

It happens on all types of pavement. Gonna check the ball joints and tie rod ends...haven't done that.