Diagnosing Chasis Problems
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Joined: Jul 2008
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Diagnosing Chasis Problems
Hello
I wondered if anyone here could tell me what would cause your car to pull like crazy to the left and right sometimes and then other times the car drives straighter than an arrow. I've replaced both front and rear wheel bearings on the right side. The left rear wheel bearing looks kinda suspect but I can't get any movement out of it when the car is in the air. I do feel a lot of vibration from that wheel at higher speeds though. Another thing I considered is maybe the differential is acting up. It almost feels like the anti slip feature is going bipolar and throwing torque side to side causing the pulling. Should the differential in my car make a whining sound in reverse? If not, could that be my problem?
I wondered if anyone here could tell me what would cause your car to pull like crazy to the left and right sometimes and then other times the car drives straighter than an arrow. I've replaced both front and rear wheel bearings on the right side. The left rear wheel bearing looks kinda suspect but I can't get any movement out of it when the car is in the air. I do feel a lot of vibration from that wheel at higher speeds though. Another thing I considered is maybe the differential is acting up. It almost feels like the anti slip feature is going bipolar and throwing torque side to side causing the pulling. Should the differential in my car make a whining sound in reverse? If not, could that be my problem?
Last edited by BEATDOWN85; Nov 26, 2008 at 10:51 PM. Reason: Grammar
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
First off have you had an alignment lately? Bad outer tie rods can cause this. Also what width tires are you running on the front? A wider tire width will pick up road deformities more and make the car pull on way or the other. Brakes OK? A sticking brake cylinder will make it do that also.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 762
Likes: 2
From: Huntington ma
The rear suspension alignment on these cars is relatively important when it comes to straight line stability, particularly on uneven road surfaces. Tramlining or wander is easy to get, hard to diagnose.
Check Everything in the rear - camber link bushings, wheel bearings, tie rod ends, etc.
One other "unusual" thing that you might look for - side yoke end play in the differential. ANY end play in the side yokes is bad and WILL cause a severe rear steering problem. With enough miles the side yokes do develop clearance and play, which needs to be shimmed out (GM sells a retaining ring kit for this purpose) to tighten things back up.
Check Everything in the rear - camber link bushings, wheel bearings, tie rod ends, etc.
One other "unusual" thing that you might look for - side yoke end play in the differential. ANY end play in the side yokes is bad and WILL cause a severe rear steering problem. With enough miles the side yokes do develop clearance and play, which needs to be shimmed out (GM sells a retaining ring kit for this purpose) to tighten things back up.
