Tugs laterally on acceleration or deceleration
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 242
Likes: 7
From: Bowling Green KY
Tugs laterally on acceleration or deceleration
Hello gang,
I have a 1994 automatic that is having a scary problem. I've noticed that when I am going at high speed, as soon as I take my foot off the accelerator, the car tugs to the left just for a second. It is a very noticeable tug, then it acts normal. I notice the opposite thing happens when I get on it hard where there is a sudden tug to the right. It is there even during mild accel or deccel but it is not as pronounced. At cruising, it feels normal.
By way of repairs, I've had my transmission rebuilt, all of the u-joints in the half shafts have been replaced, I've got all new tires and had an alignment done all the way around. I can't pinpoint when it started, mainly because I stayed off of the interstate for so long trying to take it easy on the car while all of that was being done.
Thoughts?
I have a 1994 automatic that is having a scary problem. I've noticed that when I am going at high speed, as soon as I take my foot off the accelerator, the car tugs to the left just for a second. It is a very noticeable tug, then it acts normal. I notice the opposite thing happens when I get on it hard where there is a sudden tug to the right. It is there even during mild accel or deccel but it is not as pronounced. At cruising, it feels normal.
By way of repairs, I've had my transmission rebuilt, all of the u-joints in the half shafts have been replaced, I've got all new tires and had an alignment done all the way around. I can't pinpoint when it started, mainly because I stayed off of the interstate for so long trying to take it easy on the car while all of that was being done.
Thoughts?
Instructor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: co
mine did that when i got it.
turned out to be right rear tie rod inner end had a 1/2 inch play.
jack up rear. grasp wheel a 3 and 9 and push and pull and see if you have any play. then 12 and six. any play should show up. do on both sides.
might need a helper to work wheel or watch for play.
turned out to be right rear tie rod inner end had a 1/2 inch play.
jack up rear. grasp wheel a 3 and 9 and push and pull and see if you have any play. then 12 and six. any play should show up. do on both sides.
might need a helper to work wheel or watch for play.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
This has been a problem with my 86 from day 1.
Everything was rebuilt, measured or aligned.
By everything, I mean every part of the front and rear suspension and complete drive line.
I even blew 50 bucks for a ten minute call to the Great and Powerful Oz! (G. Kilebrew) Nothing.
The suspension was inspected realigned recently and with ZERO thrust angle.
And still the same push/pull when tipping on/off the throttle.
After ten years of chasing the problem I've learned to live with it.
Not saying you should not persist, just that if you find a "silver bullet" it would be cool to share.
Everything was rebuilt, measured or aligned.
By everything, I mean every part of the front and rear suspension and complete drive line.
I even blew 50 bucks for a ten minute call to the Great and Powerful Oz! (G. Kilebrew) Nothing.
The suspension was inspected realigned recently and with ZERO thrust angle.
And still the same push/pull when tipping on/off the throttle.
After ten years of chasing the problem I've learned to live with it.
Not saying you should not persist, just that if you find a "silver bullet" it would be cool to share.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Z did the same thing. Wheel bearings beam plate shockes etc nothing fixed it. Bushings and a wiz bang alignment are next if that doesnt work then oh well. Dont know why some do it some dont
Wonder if its a chassis tolerance fubar from production
Wonder if its a chassis tolerance fubar from production
Last edited by cv67; Jul 19, 2013 at 10:59 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
Mine did that when the rear thrust angle was off. If the rear wheels aren't pointed straight ahead (other than a slight toe) and are angled right or left, the car will move one way on acceleration. I use a 3' bar against the rear wheels, sight forward to the point on the garage floor where the imaginary line crosses the front wheel and mark that spot. Do the same with the other side. Both sides should be the same distance. If not, make them equal. It helps to have a toe gauge also. Willie
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