Steering Shake over bumps

Bushings and/or ball joints might be worn out

 

Could be a simple wheel bearing adjusment - how you jacked up the car and inspected the front-end before you dig in?

 

I replaced the boots on my 308's steering rack and thought i'd aligned the front end myself but it (steering wheel) would wiggle over small bumps. Id gotten used to it and just fiqured i'd need a front end rebuild someday.

Long story short a friend of mine who works at an alignment place said he'd align the car and he did and now it's tight as a drum even over bumps...did the same thing for my 300zx that was sloppy and at times would drift in the direction of a crack or depression in the road.
I'm now a believer in front end alignments.

 

Front shock absorber knackered?
I had exactly this symptom on my Mondial and when I removed the front shocks the O/S one was shot.

 

Also check that all the joints in your steering column are tight.

Have a friend turn the steering wheel while you get under the dash and watch each joint for play. My 308 had some play on centre and it was as simple as tightening the steering boss nut and the pinch nut on where the column joins the steering rack.

 

Replacing all my front suspension bushings made an amazing change. The front of the car used to move all around driving up the curb to my driveway, now it's smooooth.

 

Passenger side steering rack bushing. Common problem.

 

+1. I just had all of my bushings replaced and it made all of the difference. Over the years I just got used to it being sloppy, but now no more steering wheel movement or shake.