Hey Scotty, on my 97 Pathfinder with 180k miles, the steering tends to follow the road irregularities at times. Like the tracks formed on roads from vehicles over time or humps that cause steering to move.
What could cause this? I have new suspension components including rack bushings and alignment is good.
I need new tires on the vehicle and my rack isn't that great. Its the original one on the vehicle. However, there isn't play in the steering really to point to the rack causing that problem and theres no dead spots.
On highways and good roads the steering has its normal stiffness and isn't loose.
Is it the tires or the rack and pinion?
If it needs tires that could be what’s making it more noticeable but it’s normal for a vehicle to track road crown and grooves in the pavement
following ruts is normal for some steering systems.
Look up "bump steer".
