locked steering wheel

[bimmerville]

Sometimes I will go to start my car and I cannot get the wheel to unlock. So naturally I get frustrated and start cranking on the wheel which I have come to relize that doesnt help! It eventually will just unlock why or how I have no idea. Well since cranking on it a few times I have loosened something up and im not quite sure what it is. The steering feels very loose but only at the wheels. If i am going down a very bumpy road the steering wheel with just thrust itself back and forth in a very loose fashion and on the highwway it feels as though it is floating. Any ideas on what I should do/or replace????????

[jlevie]

The locking of the steering wheel and driving behavior aren't likely to be connected. The first is probably a sticking steering wheel lock or worn lock mechanism. The latter is almost certainly worn suspension parts. A car of this age probably needs new tie-rods, control arms & bushings, shocks, upper shock mounts, sway links & bushings, and rear trailing arm and subframe bushings.