Car swaying like a yacht NEED HELP!!!
11-30-10, 02:43 PM
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Car swaying like a yacht NEED HELP!!!
Ok my SC's body has about 236k miles on it. I really think no one ever replaced any bushing in the chassis. I drove it home today after work and i can hold the steering wheel straight and the back end will sway back and forth. This will happen at about 40-50 mph and its really noticable in the rain. Considering it was pouring on the way home I really noticed it and had a few scary moments and it trying to send me off to head on traffic. On this particular drive, I noticed it would feel like the back end would trail the front of the car sideways. I have tried messing with the backend before and tried to get it to move with the car jacked up but cannot seem to replicate the results. Anyone have any idea on what this could be? Im desparate for answers need to get this fixed before it gets worse. Thanks in advance for the help.
11-30-10, 06:37 PM
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Alignment is the most common cause for sway and having a car act like a boat. If you haven't had an alignment in a year or two I would do that and balance your tires...can make the world of difference. Also bounced test ur suspension on all for wheels...make sure its tight
11-30-10, 08:15 PM
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ok well i bought the car in march of 2010 and i know i havent taken it for an alignment. I know the guy who had the car before the guy i bought it from (previous 2 owners) cut the factory springs to lower it on stock struts. i know my outer tie rod ends are shot could they contribute to this situation?
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11-30-10, 08:25 PM
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ok well i bought the car in march of 2010 and i know i havent taken it for an alignment. I know the guy who had the car before the guy i bought it from (previous 2 owners) cut the factory springs to lower it on stock struts. i know my outer tie rod ends are shot could they contribute to this situation?
. The alignment machine will give wrong readings cause your tire will not be "sitting still". Jack up your car and shake the front wheels side to side. Bad tie rods will cause the wheel to move side to side and sitting on the alignment rack they may not be sitting straight. Also cutting the springs could cause a sway also being that they were made to support the full length spring and now they are only supporting half of one 
Hope this helps
12-01-10, 12:15 AM
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Check your front suspension first (shocks, lower control arm bushings, sway bar links, etc..) There's no sense in getting an alignment if any of those components are shot. Once you change the bushings or shocks, you'll have to have it re-aligned again anyway. 1st dead give away of bad alignment is wear to the outside or inside of your tires. 1st give away to bad bushings, shocks, etc would be excessive noise - squeaking, rattling, creeking; especially going over bumps.
12-01-10, 06:21 AM
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for me I had the same tires since I had the car for about 3 months now but it started swaying after I dropped it so I'm thinking its the alignment.. plus my steering wheel isnt completely straight when I'm im driving straight.
12-01-10, 11:22 AM
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If the previous owner lowered the car by cutting springs, chances are the struts are blown. Lowering cars by cutting springs or lowering springs shortens the life of struts. Tie rod ends being bad will cause abnormal steering input. So if the back end is swaying and you are trying to counter it with steering, you may be applying too much input due to bad tie rod ends; therefore, increasing this swaying sensation.