Sloppy grabbing front end, fix?

[Hobbs4ut]

My newly purchased 101k mi car has a loose front end that just grabs and takes off in either direction all of a sudden for no apparent reason. The steering wheel is not loose - no free play. When it "jerks" it does not jerk the steering - very little maybe. I would be much happier with a more solid tight feel that didn't jerk on it's own. As far as I can tell and previous owner reported, the front end is totally stock. Fix?

 

[Numbles]

You might want to have that chacked out. Ive never heard of anything like that before. Get under there with a flashlight and check the tie rods and everything to see if anything is loose.

Sorry for no real insightful advise so ill just TTT for ya.

 

[baglock1]

Given the fact that it's entirely stock, I'd say your tierods are shot. I'd take it in for an alignment though to begin with. It may just be out of specs. Just be prepared for the guys to tell you that the tierods (and maybe balljoints too) need to be replaced.

 

[194stang]

sometimes the "jerking" around can be caused by the road surface(big gulleys worn in it)...I know after i put larger tires and wheels on mine i could feel it do that now and then on nasty roads....but if doing on a newly paved road then i would do as the others suggested on here and get it checked.

 

[Hobbs4ut]

I was hoping you'd throw in on this Baglock1.

Tie rods and ball joints shouldn't be to bad if I do the work myself should they?

I'm thinking of changing the lower As and spindles (99's up) along with PBR brakes so I might as well do the tie rods, ball joints, wheel bearings (new hubs?) and all while I'm at it.

Does that sound like a good plan of action?

 

[baglock1]

I was hoping you'd throw in on this Baglock1.

I guess it's nice to know I'm appreciated. Besides, anything to help a sister service, even if it is the USN. *cough, cough* Cross into the blue...

Tie rods and ball joints shouldn't be to bad if I do the work myself should they?

They're pretty simple for the average mechanic with a good set of hand tools and a ball joint tool.

I'm thinking of changing the lower As and spindles (99's up) along with PBR brakes so I might as well do the tie rods, ball joints, wheel bearings (new hubs?) and all while I'm at it.

Does that sound like a good plan of action?

Sounds like a damn fine course of action. The only thing I would possibly suggest is going with a bumpsteer kit instead of regular tierods and X2 balljoints (one of the few things that Steeda has that's worthwhile IMHO). Of course, this really depends on your plans for the car. If the extent of the suspension work you have planned is what you just listed, it's not needed. But if you plan on doing some AX or anything, they might be worth it to you.

Also, depending on the shape of the spindles, I probably wouldn't worry about changing the wheel bearings. When I swapped the 99 spindles into my car, I didn't bother. The sealed bearing design in these spindles are pretty reselient.

 

[Hobbs4ut]

Thanks!
I was actually thinking of crossing over into the Green! Go Army! But not a discussion for here.

This is just a street joy rider 3rd vehicle. A toy. I only plan to maybe get a Bullit Kit (shocks and springs) or a FMS kit I saw in the future so I will probably just do the '99 upgrade stuff plus some new tierods. I'll have to look into the balljoint and balljoint tool thing. Excuses to buy new tools is one of the main reasons I mess with this stuff!

 

[baglock1]

This is just a street joy rider 3rd vehicle. A toy. I only plan to maybe get a Bullit Kit (shocks and springs) or a FMS kit I saw in the future so I will probably just do the '99 upgrade stuff plus some new tierods. I'll have to look into the balljoint and balljoint tool thing. Excuses to buy new tools is one of the main reasons I mess with this stuff!

In that case, why bother swapping the spindles and A-arms? I'm well aware of the benefits, but it would seem it's a bit overkill for your plans. Of course, I'm plauged by the uncontrolable urge to overbuild myself as I'm on my way into building myself out of a daily driver for the 4th time.

Anyways, if you do decide to go ahead with the swap, then I'd probably skip the bumpsteer kit. I'd still consider the X2 balljoints if you go with the FMS springs. They still aren't really needed at that point but it'll help prevent any issue you might develop from too low of a roll center. But again, they really aren't needed at that point so if $$$ is a concern, don't bother.