1010 W Commonwealth Ave, Fullerton, CA 92833 Tue–Fri 9:00 AM–6:00 PM · Mon & Sat by appointment · Sun closed ASE Certified Master Technician · Family Owned
Cedillo's Your One Stop Auto Shop logo — Fullerton, CA Cedillo'sClassic & Auto Repair

Auto Repair Tips

Steering Feels Loose or Wanders? What to Check

Updated October 15, 2026 · Cedillo's Classic & Auto Repair, Fullerton

Pontiac Trans Am on a lift in the service bay at Cedillo's, Fullerton
Short answer: Loose or wandering steering is usually worn steering or suspension parts, like tie rod ends, ball joints, bushings or an idler arm, or play in the steering box on older cars.

Common causes

  • Worn tie rod ends
  • Worn ball joints
  • Cracked control arm bushings
  • Idler or pitman arm wear on older cars
  • Play in the steering box
  • Tire problems

Why it matters

Steering parts affect how well you control the car. Have it inspected soon.

Classics and daily drivers

We rebuild classic front ends and repair steering and suspension on daily drivers.

Signs to watch for

Notice whether the car pulls to one side, needs constant small corrections on the freeway, or clunks over bumps. Look at your front tires: wear on the inside or outside edges can point to worn parts or alignment problems.

A shimmy in the steering wheel at certain speeds is also worth having checked.

What we do

We put the car on the lift and check tie rods, ball joints, bushings, the idler and pitman arms on older cars, and the steering rack or box. Rafael shows you what’s worn and quotes before we work.

Serving Fullerton and nearby

Cedillo’s Classic & Auto Repair is a family-owned shop at 1010 W Commonwealth Ave in Fullerton, serving Fullerton, Anaheim, Placentia, Brea, Buena Park, La Habra, Yorba Linda and Orange. Owner Rafael Cedillo is an ASE Certified Master Technician with more than 25 years of experience.

Frequently asked questions

Is loose steering dangerous?

It can be. Worn steering parts reduce control. Have it inspected soon.

Will new tires fix wandering?

Not if worn steering or suspension parts are the cause. We’ll check both.

Related services

We make it easy to do business with us, with peace of mind and trust. Give us a try, and if it’s not something we can help with, we’ll point you in the right direction. Call or text (714) 681-0101, or send a service request online. We’re open Tuesday through Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM, and Monday and Saturday by appointment.