Front Wheel actually doing its own thing

Ogedei · Post by **Ogedei** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 12:30 pm

So before I go and do a diagnose and dash at a garage I have never been too I wanted to get some ideas here.

So I am pretty sure my struts are wearing out. However I do not think that they would cause this problem.

Lots of rattle in the right front. It is not tied to Accell or Decell. It is worse over manhole covers than a speed bump. Does not get better or worse using the steering wheel but sharp turns feel different than the have in the past.

Finally driving at moderate speed the right front wheel just started (or so it felt) like it was going back and forth all by itself.

The halfshaft is new and not making any noise. I am confident that it is not power related.

Thanks for any ideas I can use to BS check the garage. I hate new garages but if I want them to diagnose while I do the work I have to keep rotating.

takza · Post by **takza** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 5:15 pm

The inner tie-rod ends will make a clicking sound if you drive over rough ground...like a lawn. Also the outer tie-rod ends get loose.

GTSSportCoupe · Post by **GTSSportCoupe** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 9:22 am

Sounds like struts to me! Stand on your front bumper and jump up and down to see if they make any noise. Also, push down hard and fast on your front fender above the shocks and then release. The car should just bounce back up to where it was and stop. If it bounces up and down more times, the shocks are toast. The shocks should also feel fairly stiff and be tough to push down on.

Typrus · Post by **Typrus** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 10:03 pm

But I like my "Hydraulics" system! :rolleyes:

I put it in first, get coasting about 5-10mph and mash-release-mash-release the pedal in just the right frequency to get my front end to lift and drop a total excursion of about I'd guessing 6-8 inches. I get a lot of laughs. Unfortunatly, I get a lot of bottoming out...

Fingers · Post by **Fingers** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 11:57 pm

The various bushings on these things tend to go to hell also. Especially the sway bar to control arm ones. They will cause a clanking sound, and since they are an alignment point, those being gone can cause the car to waver. Good luck finding them, I had to order them through Toyota (they were cheap at least), and it took them 3 times to order me the right ones. And that was after every parts store in town ASSURED me they could get the right ones. Go to the dealer, but bring them a picture, diagram, or show them on their blow-up screen yourself. Save yourself a few weeks.

Fingers