97 Concorde steering issues

I have a 97 Chrysler Concorde, 136,000 miles roughly. Steering is loose and
hard to control at times. I've heard everything from bad rack and replace
it at big cost, to just replacing worn rubber bushings. Anyone else with
similar year/mileage Concorde have the same issues and what ended up being
the problem?

 

Was the suspension recall done on that car?

 

take it somewhere you fell good about the service and have them check it out
esp. now with the price of gas you want a front end that has as little rolling
resistance as possible and drives true

 

Either of those problems could be the cause (more likely the steering
gear the way you describe it). With the hood open, a decent mechanic or
someone with some common sense and a helper should be able to visibily
check for either problem within seconds (by wiggling the steering wheel
and seeing what does and does not move).

**NOTE**
If I were you, I would keep it OFF THE ROAD until you get it properly
diagnosed and fixed. There've been posts here and elsewhere of the
steering gear suddenly locking slam up soon after exhibiting symptoms
like you describe on LH cars. Such an occurence could be hazardous to
you and others - expensive at the *very* least, fatal/degrading to
quality of life at the worst.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
adddress with the letter 'x')

 

Could be any one of the problems you listed..there is no suspension recall
on your vehicle.

Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

 

The inner tie rod ends wear out quickly on this car because the steering
rack is located above the engine in a high heat zone. Put the front end up
on jack stands and have someone hold the steering wheel steady while you try
to rotate the front wheels as if they were being steered. If there is play
in the system, i.e. you can make the wheel turn while the steering wheel is
held tight, you've found at least one problem.

If you aren't sure about it, get it checked out at a competent fron end
shop. The life you save could be your own.

 

How about the recall to re-enforce the chasis where the front end attaches
by adding a clamp? Doesn't that apply tp 97 model year?

 

Read this thread that started only yesterday on the 300M Enthisiasts
Club forums: http://300mclub.100megs42.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8359

It bears out what I said earlier.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
adddress with the letter 'x')

 

Read more about the defect here:
http://www.daimlerchryslervehicleproblems.com/