posted
It feels as if my Camaro is falling apart on me and noone (and I mean noone) seems to know how to fix it. The problem seems to be coming from the steering/suspension. When the car is cold reversing out of a parking spot and turn my wheels (right or left) about 3/4 of the way the front of the car jerks. Not slighty either. You feel it and hear loud "thuds". I took it to three different dealers they said that they have no idea what the problem is. I took it to get my tires mounted on Thanksgiving weekend and since my car's steering was very loose, I payed to get an alignment done. Well, the alignment did not help and my car still jumped around alot. I took it back and they said there is nothing unusual about anything, so I took it and payed for a second opinion. They also said there was no problem. So recently I began to experience this jerking problem and the dealer told me that one of the bolts were loose, so he tightened it and let it sit overnight and in the morning the car was still jerking. So he told me, that I need to get it aligned again, but also mentioned that it might not help, but was worth a shot. So I did, and he said it did the job. But the next morning, it did it again, but now it's worse then ever and does it when I turn. But the mysterious part is that it only happens when it's cold, when it warm or hot, the steering is just a little loose.At first it did it in reverse only. now it does it while moving forward and reverse. it usually happens when the cars is moving slow, like whne your turning in and out of a parking spo. the steering wheel does not jerk at all or at least noticeably. its the wheels themselves that jerk around. the mechanic did say that the passenger wheel was really loose and thats why he recommended the alignment the second time. but he says he has no idea what could be wrong. he said the parts look fine and that everythign is tight. well if that is true, then why do the wheels still jerk and sound like something is ready to snap.
I'm sorry this is so long. But I need to know if anyone has any ideas. I have taken care of it the best I can, but this has me stumped. PLEASE... SOMEBODY HELP.
posted
Your going to have to have a technician from the dealer with you when you back up to verify the concern. Probably will have to leave it at the dealer and have the tech sit in the car while you back it up and another tech looking from the outside to try and pin point the concern.Are you sure this is not snow or ice in the wheel wells touching the tire?
posted
The alignment - toe in, caster, camber are designed to manage the car going forward, not backward. My 96 Impala does the same thing in cold weather. When backing up you can see that the bottoms of the tires splay outward from the force. The minute one of the tires touches a bit of sand, a line in a parking lot, a small patch of ice - it jumps back into shape. What you are feeling is the tires dragging and popping back into shape. Try this - put some water down and back over it, cut the wheels and and back up. after it jumps (or not ) take a look at the pattern your tires made. You'll see they were actually dragging sideways,
Question, what kind of wheels and tires do you have on the car?
Posts: 3403 | From: Woodcliff Lake, NJ, USA | Registered: Dec 2000
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posted
Thanks for your tips and help. I appreciate it alot. So in other words I should be fine when the weather starts to get warmer. To answer your question, I have the stock slp rims that cam with the car and I have Goodyear Eagles GSD's. They are just a step below the Eagles that cam on the car. Thanks again. If there is anything else. Please let me know.
Posts: 5 | From: Delaware | Registered: Jan 2003
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posted
It sounds like something in the front end is loose.Are you sure they have check everything? I have seem control arm bushings loose or worn,upper shock/strut mounting bolts loose.What it sounds like when you are turning,something is shifting in the front end,have they checked the mounting bolts for the rack? Or sub frame hardware? I would take it to a shop that is very knowledgeable in suspension and steering components.
Posts: 173 | From: Nashua,NH USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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