suspension problem?

by **Masshole** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 12:09 pm

For a while now I've had a bit of a "jiggle" ?? in teh steering wheel over bumps. It feels like something is loose. I've recenty replaced the stock suspension with tokicos and eibach springs. I had everything in the front end checked out twice and got a clean bill of health but the problem is still there. You can really feel it in the steering wheel over bumps... it just kind of bounces around a bit... anybody have any ideas?? I have 95k on the car and it's been serviced regularly. Car runs awesome otherwise. Thanks!!!

-Kevin

Website · by **TRD_solaRa** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 12:36 pm

Did you get your car "aligned" or had an "alignment check" to see the camber and toe angles? That can have a rather large effect on steering. Make sure that the front tie rods are secure too . . .

by **Masshole** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 12:39 pm

it's definitely not an alignment issue - I've had it aligned since the suspension install anyways and have all brand new tires. The tie rod ends were inspected by both the guy who installed the suspension and the toyota dealership and they both said they looked ok... as well as cv joints, ball joints, and bearings.

It's not a STEERING problem... it's just over bumps that the whole steering column "shakes"... for lack of a better description.

by **Mole** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 11:14 pm

you try tightening the strut nut more?

what about the strut housing nuts?

it might be those loose, since the shop needs access to those went they change out your spring/struts.

by **groovespacer** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 1:11 am

you try tightening the strut nut more?

what about the strut housing nuts?

it might be those loose, since the shop needs access to those went they change out your spring/struts.

haha very sound advice.

by **Masshole** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 5:53 am

thanks for the suggestions TRDMole77.... just to be clear though - this shaking/vibration was going on before I had the suspension replaced as well as after. I have faith in the mechanic who installed the stuff (I really wish I had a garage and I would've done it myself and risked the mustang for a daily driver for a few days

). I'm thinking those things would've been checked and taken care of during the process of installation right?

Some more info: it only seems to happen when I'm driving relatively slow over kind of small bumps. I've tried going over certain bumps with each wheel to see if I could isolate it to one side but it seems to happen regardless of what wheel hits the bump.

by **Bill Nolan** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 6:34 am

Newbie here- I followed your advice to SEARCH for a topic before I blindly posted my own question and Lo and Behold, here is the very same question that I was planning to ask! It really works!

I am with the original poster on this one. My Jetta handled bumps smoothly but my new convertible 02 Solara seems to vibrate and jiggle a lot more before it finally decides what to do with a bump. Is this a lack of structural rigidity issue common to all convertibles, or is this a softness issue with the suspension (being an SLE) and can it be corrected with a tauter suspension or am I simply going to have to learn to live with it? Spending $750+ to upgrade the suspension won't be fun if it still does this!
Thanks

by **Masshole** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 7:29 am

Well mine's not a convertible so it's got nothing to do with that.
And I just had all my shocks and springs replaced with tokico blues and eibach lowering springs and the "jiggle" was the same before and after.

As I mentioned I had people look at the major front end components and apparently everything checked out. I'm thinking maybe it's something in the steering rack or the steering column... I really dont' know. It's not something you can reproduce by grabbing the wheel and shaking it.

by **TheTamago** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 12:23 am

power steering loose?

by **jbn19431938** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 5:39 am

Was problem under discussion here ever resolved by original poster, and if so what was it and how much $$$?.

Just bought 1999 Solara with 46K miles. Having similar noises.
Am reluctant to see mechanic about yhis until I know approximate problem and cost of remedy.

Other than that love the car!

by **bkp_duke** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 5:52 am

is it coming from one wheel assembly or another, or does it truely feel centered?

have you driven with the window down to listen?

I had a similar problem after I had the TRD shocks/struts put on and it was the bearing that went on in the strut plate on front right assembly. The part was little over 100. Fortunately I didn't have to pay for labor b/c the place that put the struts on couldn't conclusively say it wasn't their fault for not picking up on it while putting the parts on, so they gave me labor free.

by **Masshole** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 8:13 am

As I posted above... the problem does NOT appear to be local to one side - if I go over a bump with each wheel by itself I get the same "shudder" effect in the steering wheel. THis problem has nothing to do with steering and is more of a feeling than a noise. It's almost like there used to be some kind of padding along the steering columnt that has disintegrated causing the bumps of the road to get transferred all the way up through the steering column...

I'm going to get it up on a lift and do soem investigation... if I find a solution will be sure to post a reply here.

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