I don't know if it's normal or not, but when I go over the bumps the steering feels kind of loose and somewhat rattling. When driving no such symptoms, just when going over bumps/small potholes

 

have your struts and some sort of steering linkage checked(I dont know why I can never remember the specific name for the linkage). Thats the same symptoms my ride was having.

There are some other posts about that as well.


Called Stabalizer Linkage

 

If its not your stabilizer bar end links I would bet its the steering coloumn issue, I've had both issues.

 

felt like that when my tie rods crapped out

 

ya, i get a clunk everytime i turn the wheel...and then it clunks once more wen the wheels straighten out

 

cv joints?

 

not sure yet...hopefully nothing all that expensive, considering that i am now out of warranty :S

 

my stabilizer bar bushing clamps were loose on the bushings and i had clunking hitting bumps and going around corners. I have an 05 and supposedly there was an upgrade for bushings and clamps in the past couple years which Crate Engine Depot keeps in stock.

If you have a jack and some jackstands you can do a shakedown on your car and try and wiggle the wheel and jolt it up and down. You might be able to look up how to do it, this is something mechanics do to assess suspension and steering problems. It should show if the ball joint, tie rod end or strut mount has gone bad. Otherwise you can just take it to a mechanic.

I figured out my stabilizer bar clamps were the problem by taking the wheel off and shaking the end of the stabilizer bar, it had an inch or two of freedom which is not good. I actually have temporarily fixed the problem by taking a hammer to the clamp that was loose (not recommended unless you're poor and pissed off).

 

my repair bill was close to $600. Covered though.

 

It's not a clunk, it just feels like something is loose and is rattling when I go over big bumps slowly... I think it's a steering column. Going to check it out at the dealer after vacation.