Car steering question?

I had a rental that, when driving on the highway, started (all of a sudden) to jerk right-left-right-left. It stopped jerking back and forth and then when I pulled out of a parking lot (had stopped for something), started jerking back and forth again (both car and steering wheel).
I called to have the rental company pick it up and deliver another car - which they did - but can anyone tell me what was wrong?

Thanks!

2009-01-22T07:47:30Z

Craig - the word is "Geek", thank you! And if you want me to program something (code) or create a web site, no problem. Cars? Big problem!
We ALL have our specialities!

2009-01-22T07:48:45Z

BTW - I've had flat tires, unbalanced tires, and out of alignment issues before; this was NOT a shimmy or a 'pull'.

Anonymous2009-01-22T07:44:36Z

Favorite Answer

the rack and pinion in the steering system was clogged.
and for that reason the steering wheel was back and forward,the valve that control the pressure to left and right ,went "insane"

hardyone@rogers.com2009-01-22T07:45:23Z

sounds like an alignment issue to me.

Signs of Poor Alignment
If your vehicle needs an alignment, you'll notice the following:

A steering wheel that shakes at certain speeds
A constant need to correct your steering to keep the vehicle moving in a straight line
Uneven wear on your tires
Vibration in the steering column at higher speeds
There are several ways your car can be knocked out of proper alignment. Every driver at one time or another has done one of these:

Run over a curb
Hit a pothole
Run over or collided with a parking barrier
Hit a speed bump while moving too fast
Hit another vehicle
All of these can knock your wheels out of alignment. If your car has perfect alignment before you hit that pothole, but drifts to the left or right afterward, you know your vehicle's alignment has been altered. It's not an emergency condition, but driving your car with bad alignment can cause premature wear and tear on the suspension system and the tires.

John B2009-01-22T07:49:53Z

Had this happen to me yesterday it was a very seperated
tire,If not the tire then it is something dangerously wrong
with the wheel or steering assembly.

bur p2009-01-22T07:54:03Z

sounds like a power steering pump with a defective valve.

dirocyn2009-01-22T07:44:08Z

Probably a flat tire.

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