floating steering/wheel slop over slightly bumpy/cracked sections of road

[TX]

Car is an 09, 41K miles, I have EDC. For the last few months I've had an issue when I go over sections of bumpy road. The normally rock solid feedback on the steering gets very soft and I lose feedback. I get some slop in the steering wheel that makes it more difficult than it should be to steer. This is at all speeds above 15Mph or so. The faster the more noticeable it is. It's especially bad if I'm in a corner and go over a cracked or area of rougher road during the curve because the steering gets sloppy.
Anyone have an idea of where to look. I'm leaning towards the power steering pump since that started making a groaning noise during turning at slow speeds. PS fluid level is fine, checked that, but have not flushed the system yet.
It could also be suspension related too.
Anyone seen this before or have tips?
Thanks.

[m3ray]

It could be the PS system or suspension related.

PS would be the pump itself or the rack (unlikely). You've ruled out fluid levels.

Check the control arms, wishbones, tie rod ends. Could also be the upper shock mounts. These are rubber and degrade over time.

[TX]

or failing shock?

[TX]

It's definitely in the front end, I just haven't figured out what component yet. The roads down here aren't that bad and the car hasn't been driven that hard so I wasn't expecting failing suspension components yet.
I'll have to do some looking around.
Thanks.

[m3ray]

Originally Posted by TX

or failing shock?

Easy way to test that. Push down on each corner and see how quickly the car rebounds. If it is too bouncy or doesn't rebound at all then the shock is failing.

[TX]

thanks, it was raining and rather nasty today so I'll get a look at it when I get a chance. Do we have fluid filled bushings or solid? Would I be able to noticed failed bushings on the linkage arms by visual inspection. I'm going to take a look under the car tomorrow I suppose if the weather is nicer.
Thanks

[SenorFunkyPants]

I have noticed a similar effect myself...99% of the time the car is rock solid, but one certain piece of uneven road make the front end of the car go all imprecise. That the car feels great the rest of the time makes me think its some sort of suspension harmonic. Mine is a non-EDC car though which probably doesn't help you!!

[TX]

I don't really believe it is EDC related, unless I have a failing/failed strut. I hope not they are 700 bucks each, ouch! I'm going to take a look at the control arms and if I don't see anything It's going in to the dealer.

[thekurgan]

I've had this for quite some time, it happens over small, sharper bumps, like the blue implants used to display fire hydrants on either side. I can sometimes get it to happen going into a driveway, if the wheel is turned a bit first. Can yours be felt in the wheel itself, almost like it's the coupler joints that are worn, but no other symptoms of them wearing exists at any other time?