Rear end stepping out....
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 666
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From: Walton KY
Rear end stepping out....
I have discussed this before. I have a 94 LT1 6 speed. When I am driving at any speed over 40 mph and I hit a bump the rear end will "step" over to the right. It feels as if the suspension does not travel straight up in to the car but at an angle, giving the feeling the rear is stepping out....kinda like when you spin the tires and it gets a little sideways. I have had it lined up twice by a very good mechanic and friend of mine (I know he took his time, I was there with him) and it comes out dead on spec in front and within spec in rear. The other day I was surfing Ebay and came across the rear "dogbone" trailing arms. The ad said that when a wheel is curbed, these are what gets bent. Is it possible and/or probable that the me or the previous owner could have bent and that when at rest the suspension is within spec but when loaded one of the wheels could be twisting out of line? Joe and I cannot find any bad bushings, visible bends, or bent bolts.
Pro
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 669
Likes: 7
From: New Jersey
I had a similar problem where when I would go over railroad tracks or a bump it felt like i was going to lose control of the car because the *** end would hop like you are saying.
4 few bilstein shocks solved that problem.. so check your shocks
4 few bilstein shocks solved that problem.. so check your shocks
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Near Daytona Florida
Sounds like a rear toe problem, even though the alignment is perfect with the car a "trim height". Remember you said it happens when you hit a bump, which implies a change in rear geometry away from trim height. My guess would be worn toe adjusting rods. Most likely at the rear end housing, but could be at the end link. My guess! Zabman Edit: The toe adjusting rod center bushing could have been damaged by the curb encounter!
Last edited by Zabman; Mar 26, 2007 at 10:34 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
If you and your wrench don't see anything bent, then.....
I'd have to agree with the toe issues here....
Larry
code5coupe
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: 1985 L98, Auto. O'FALLON, IL
My car did this when I first got it. I installed an ES poly bushing kit because all of the bushings were dry rotted and in really bad shape. At the same time I put in all new kyb shocks. I still had bad rear wheel bearings when I got done and the car did not hop around when hitting bumps. With the car jacked up on stands I could get my son to apply upward pressure to the bottom of the back wheels(using a long board) and I could see the play at the end of the bottom dog bones. Good luck.
