Loose Rear End
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 452
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From: Raleigh NC
Loose Rear End
Just wanted to run this by you guys to make sure I am right about this.
When driving on the road, especially in the rain or when switching lanes, the back end feels very twitchy and has the tendency to want to fish tail. When I did my axle rebuild, I noticed that the rear lower ball joints looked and felt like they needed replacement. Because they are on the outside of the knuckle in the back, it totally makes sense that my side to side stability would be bad if those ball joints were past it. Anything else I should look for? Am I barking up the right tree here?
When driving on the road, especially in the rain or when switching lanes, the back end feels very twitchy and has the tendency to want to fish tail. When I did my axle rebuild, I noticed that the rear lower ball joints looked and felt like they needed replacement. Because they are on the outside of the knuckle in the back, it totally makes sense that my side to side stability would be bad if those ball joints were past it. Anything else I should look for? Am I barking up the right tree here?
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Ontario Canada
Toe settings have the largest effect on that condition. Have you had an alignment in recent times where you can refer to your current settings ?. If not that would be the first place to start.
This is assuming your tires are in good condition with ample tread remaining, low tread depth can bite you badly in wet weather conditions with this car.
This is assuming your tires are in good condition with ample tread remaining, low tread depth can bite you badly in wet weather conditions with this car.
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From: Michigan
Tire type can also affect wet driving. The Pirelli's on my Fiat are all kinds of squirrely in the wet on the tar strips/expansion joints.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 452
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From: Raleigh NC
Appreciate the feedback.
2000 AP1, 154k miles.
I'm currently running staggered Bridgestone RE01Rs all around with plenty of tread. PSI holding firm at 32-33psi. I think the tires absolutely play a part (scary as hell in the rain) but the side to side feels more mechanical than a grip type problem.
I plan on replacing those ball joints regardless since I want to rebuild the whole rear suspension this winter (and they are super cheap) but I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something else.
2000 AP1, 154k miles.
I'm currently running staggered Bridgestone RE01Rs all around with plenty of tread. PSI holding firm at 32-33psi. I think the tires absolutely play a part (scary as hell in the rain) but the side to side feels more mechanical than a grip type problem.
I plan on replacing those ball joints regardless since I want to rebuild the whole rear suspension this winter (and they are super cheap) but I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something else.
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 29,894
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From: Ontario Canada
You are missing something else, how about your alignment settings ? Primarily toe, but the overall setup is crucial. Do you have an information on your alignment settings ?. If not getting one done is the first place to start.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 452
Likes: 7
From: Raleigh NC
Originally Posted by yourboysoap' timestamp='1448489108' post='23812732
I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something else.
