hey guys im new to this forum and i just picked up an 87 chevy cavalier 4 dr. 2.0 pushrod motor for my new daily driver and it has a couple little problems. first off when in drive and at a stop light the car shakes a lil and feels likes is goin to stall but doesnt(auto tranny). second the steering wheel shakes from 15 to 35 mph, i had the front wheels balanced but it did nothing. next if i punch the gas a lil too hard it pops like a back fire through the intake or something. another problem i have is when the car isnt warmed up the power steering works turning right but not when turing left.

Ok that's quite a bit of stuff but nothing to bad.1st I would recomm a tune up like plugs,wires, and new fuel filter and run one can of seafoam in ur fuel to help clean the iac valve which effects the idle.2nd if it shakes while at those speeds does it pull to one side while in a straight line? if so u need a alignment and the best way to tell if go in a str8 line on a level road and apply ur brakes if it goes anything but center of line u nd a alignment.3rd ur power steering issue may be one of two things.Ur pwr steering fluid is low,or ur rack and pinion is either leaking fluid or worn the heck out and do a visual check for leaks which would explain the issue,provided ur fluid level is low.Being the age of the car the rack and pinion may be going out if it has not been replaced,while the cars temps help the fluid flow ur ps should work cold or warm if in good condition and no leaks around the boots on it.IF u have alot of (play in the steering) while sitting idle running is a sign of a worn out rack/pinion no more than 2 inches of play is average.I hope this info helps u and if I left anything off or incorrect may others add or correct this.Also a new O2 sensor may be a good idea unless u know it has less than 60k on it.Thats just starters on issues u described and go from there.Do a tune up FOR SURE,and the other stuff as u check it based on what I have provided and those tires should be in good cond not feathered to one side,or low tread wear which affects the steering or shimmy driving .Good luck sorry about the book.Oldschool

i did plugs,wires,oil,oil filter,air filter. thers no play in the streeing wheel. i had the tires balanced the alinement is fine and the steerin wheel still skakes in a straight line. it has 67000 original miles. ill try the fuel filter.

"the steerin wheel still skakes in a straight line" .... you may simply have a bent wheel rim....

Ron Love covered many problems very well...

(From what you describe, I do have doubts "67000 original miles"...)

well it was a one owner car with an 88y.o. women owner so it is 67000 original miles but she did hit the garage a few times maybe it is a bent rim but i think the people would have noticed that when they balanced the tire