I recently noticed my car has a drift effect that just started. It is very noticeable and is worse at slower speeds (45mph and less). I can feel it when I swerve the wheel left/right with quick inputs, when I shift 1,2 and 3 gears taking off from stop, if I give slightly aggressive throttle on and off, and sometimes when braking. The best way I can describe it is it seems like the rear of the car is trying to pass me or the rear axle is trying to steer in an opposite direction from the body. Almost like the frame is disconnected from the wheels and suspension and the rear of the body is swaying over the rear axles. It feels 'greasy' like when you have a low or flat tire in the rear. But it doesn't do it all the time...!!
I have checked all psi, wheel lugs, wheel bearing mounting bolts, a-arms upper and lower, differential mounting bolts, torque snubber bolts(that's what I call the anti-torque arms that bolt to the frame from the diff), CV axle joints, looked for leaks(shocks/suspension), steering rack for tightness where it mounts to the frame, steering column shaft flex dampener, Pittman arm connection, proper/adequate PS fluid, and tried to tell if any air is in the system. Everything appears normal. I followed all troubleshooting in the shop manuals and also tried prying on all the bushings, tie rod ends, ball joints, and suspension with a pry bar with the car both on the ground and also with the wheels off the ground with no load. I did find a very small amount of play in the lower a-arm bushings but I'm talking only thousandths of an inch. Why would it feel 'loose' in the rear like it has 4 wheel steering?
Recent work on the car:
-Changed all clutch components including slave cyl.
-New tires last summer (<2000 miles ago) mounted, balanced, and aligned by local reputable tire shop.
-changed PS/hyd fan lines to upgraded hoses after o-ring leak at pump
-attempted to change right rear wheel bearing but found e-brake to be where squealing was coming from, not wheel bearing so did not change.
-other engine/exhaust related repairs (spark plugs, oil change, O2 sensor, etc)
Problem started during a 100 mile interstate drive to Biloxi a couple weeks ago. Hasn't gotten any worse and doesn't feel unsafe to drive. Like I said, it's like the rear wheels are trying to steer themselves out from under the car.
Anybody else ever experience this or have an idea where to look next? Thanks in advance. Btw, car just turned 60,000 miles and has a fairly new set of PS2 Michelins all around.
Thanks,
Cdover73
I have checked all psi, wheel lugs, wheel bearing mounting bolts, a-arms upper and lower, differential mounting bolts, torque snubber bolts(that's what I call the anti-torque arms that bolt to the frame from the diff), CV axle joints, looked for leaks(shocks/suspension), steering rack for tightness where it mounts to the frame, steering column shaft flex dampener, Pittman arm connection, proper/adequate PS fluid, and tried to tell if any air is in the system. Everything appears normal. I followed all troubleshooting in the shop manuals and also tried prying on all the bushings, tie rod ends, ball joints, and suspension with a pry bar with the car both on the ground and also with the wheels off the ground with no load. I did find a very small amount of play in the lower a-arm bushings but I'm talking only thousandths of an inch. Why would it feel 'loose' in the rear like it has 4 wheel steering?
Recent work on the car:
-Changed all clutch components including slave cyl.
-New tires last summer (<2000 miles ago) mounted, balanced, and aligned by local reputable tire shop.
-changed PS/hyd fan lines to upgraded hoses after o-ring leak at pump
-attempted to change right rear wheel bearing but found e-brake to be where squealing was coming from, not wheel bearing so did not change.
-other engine/exhaust related repairs (spark plugs, oil change, O2 sensor, etc)
Problem started during a 100 mile interstate drive to Biloxi a couple weeks ago. Hasn't gotten any worse and doesn't feel unsafe to drive. Like I said, it's like the rear wheels are trying to steer themselves out from under the car.
Anybody else ever experience this or have an idea where to look next? Thanks in advance. Btw, car just turned 60,000 miles and has a fairly new set of PS2 Michelins all around.
Thanks,
Cdover73
