Civic steering feels loose

[Mr_Roboto]

For lack of a better way of putting it, the steering on my 08 civic started feeling loose. It's the standard version not an SI, it's had the rack done at 18K once and it had the rear arms done at like 35K. Tires are still legal but probably need to be changed soon. When I change lanes at speed, it acts like it wants to oscillate from the left to right for a lack of a better way of putting it. I'm going to go jack it up and see what I can find. Thoughts? Opinions? Hate mail?

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[torquelover]

I haven't been into Civics much since our last one, an '02, but I do know the rear shocks tend to wear out quick on this platform. If the rear tires are hopping around enough at speed it would feel as you describe. What's up with the arms and rack at such low mileage, recall or something else? Our old one went through 3 sets of front struts under warranty until we traded it @ 20k miles.

 

[Mr_Roboto]

They were issues with this gen. My wife had the arms do the same thing on the 06 she had before, and the rack is also a pattern failure from what I've been told. Will have a poke around at the back shocks although it feels like the front it could be the backs. I'm wondering if it may be some slipped belts or the likes too although I'm not really sure on that.

 

[DynaSlim]

Wow. Never heard if this except on old trucks and we got used to it.

 

[bikrboy128]

weird. my parents have an 07 civic with 80k miles and havent had any of those issues. only normal maintenance.
if the front end is tight, it sounds like the alignment is out, probably causing your tires to wear quickly.

 

[SRT41320]

if your tires are that bad... then that's could be it. otherwise, check ball joints, tie rods, etc., etc.