Hello from Mass....and a front end question

steve071370 · Post by **steve071370** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 7:40 pm

First, wanted to send out a hello to everyone! I just picked up an 85 Tercel 4wd automatic and it is a work in progress!! I do have a front suspension question. What is the bushing called where the stabilizer bar connects to the lower control arm? I have a peculiar problem, seems that while I'm driving, when I accelerate, the car seems to pull or surge to the left and I have to compensate by turning the steering wheel slightly to the right to keep the car straight. When I get off the gas, it surges to the right again and I have to turn the wheel the opposite direction. Any Ideas what this could be causing this?? Love the site, by the way, seems like a ton of info on here!!

Post by **ARCHINSTL** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 8:28 pm

Welcome to the Club !
Here is some info on the sway bar/stabilizer bits (Go OE on these-they will fit):
http://www.tercel4wd.com/forums/viewtop ... way#p24528
I would also suggest doing a Search for info/pix - those sway bar ends can be necked down to nothing in the Rust Belt, of which I presume you are an inhabitant.
This can be extremely critical! If they break - it's happened before...
There are a number of threads regarding these sway bars and lower arms.

I'd jack up the front of the car enough to take the weight off the wheels and start to wiggle/shake suspension parts; this could be very important... Use jackstands, too!

Don't forget we have the '85 FSM available for download in two modes on the front page.
Tom M.

steve071370 · Post by **steve071370** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 10:07 pm

Thank you for the welcome!! And thank you for the info, it's much appreciated. That link has the info I've been looking for. I also downloaded the fsm and it's also a great help! Now on to the tough part, getting this car back to where it should be. ARCHINSTL, your help was invaluable!

Neu · Post by **Neu** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 1:20 am

I love hearing how the FSM is a big help, really do.

Henry · Post by **Henry** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 4:18 pm

That FSM cost me 112 dollars and some change to print out, put in a decent binder (which the POS is already falling part) and some nice plastic dividers in it... but its completely invaluable while I'm attempting to do a clutch/transmission/now CV boot and front suspension overhaul. That thing rocks!

Neu · Post by **Neu** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 4:31 pm

Yeh, modern cars dont really have great fsm..they're mostly like "if you light sensor isn't working, flip this switch and blah blah" it wont ever tell you how to remove the transmission and engine, like ours does.

Highlander · Post by **Highlander** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 8:13 am

The FSM is nice, Just don't depend on it for heating issues

or to find silly things like the wiper relay when they go bad.

. But seriously, check the sway bar and the ball joints-if the ball joints are bad, they'll rock and roll every which way under any type of load.

steve071370 · Post by **steve071370** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 6:03 pm

Well, got all the sway bar link bushings, washers, etc on order. I also ordered a pair of front struts as the ones in the car are dead. I'll definately take a look at the ball joints, may need replacing too.

Tercel4WD.com

Hello from Mass....and a front end question

Hello from Mass....and a front end question

Re: Hello from Mass....and a front end question

Re: Hello from Mass....and a front end question

Re: Hello from Mass....and a front end question

Re: Hello from Mass....and a front end question

Re: Hello from Mass....and a front end question

Re: Hello from Mass....and a front end question

Re: Hello from Mass....and a front end question