okay, i bought the car 4 days ago, i was told it had bad ball joints and struts, well today while slowing down pretty hard my steering wheel kept going side to side real bad, making the car jerk back and forth too, what does that mean?

oh yeah, another off topic question also...
my power steering went out today, it was fine all day, i turned the car off, went inside friends house, came out and went to drive it and there was no power steering...should i just try adding more fluid and seeing what happens?

oh yeah, tonight hwile coming home from work i noticed how i had fluid leaking out of the car, it was clear and smelled somewhat like radiator fluid, not sure as to what it is because ive never dealt with taht before.

but yeah my main question was, what would make my steering wheel do that while braking? i figured its the struts or something, im not sure, please help.

 

the problem you describe sounds just like balljoints or tie rod ends...the fluid probably was antifreeze, but i dont know, because i havent seen it, and i would try adding P/S fluid if it is out...and check for leaks, because obviously you have one

good luck
Josh

 

CHECK YOUR TIRES!!!!!!! I had the same thing happen to my car recently. The cause of the steering jerking back and forth was due to my drivers-side front tire separating causing the tire to become misshapen. My bushings and other suspension pieces are worn out also, but only one front tire was causing this problem. I was forced to get new tires and the problem was fixed (bought Firestone Firehawks 235mm width). This is just a suggestion, but one that should not be overlooked. I originally thought it was something else too, but then I checked the tires and found the problem. Good luck!

 

check your lugnuts also. wen they start to get loose they do wut u are describing

 

the left front strut has gone to hell, so im guessing it has a ping pong effect on the other one, i dont know, the front tires are new so that shouldnt be it, ill go out and tighten the lug nuts just in case, so yeah, i think if i replace the strut it will be fine for now

 

I would jack up the front end and shake it down, to see what all front end parts actually need replacing. Those new tires aren't going to wear real good with bad suspension, and after you replace the struts, you will need to have a wheel alignment done. (which any reputable dealer will not do with worn suspension components)