Flaky steering

[kdhunter]

All,

I've got a '93 SL2. Just replaced the tie-rod ends, wheel bearings and a bad brake line. The steering was loose enough prior to this, but now I find that it feels even worse.

Symptoms:
--Tires are squealing in the turns.
--Car attempts to steer itself over surface/level changes (ie. asphalt to concrete).
--Some play in wheels front to back (with them off the ground).

--I know the LCA balls are shot, I just can't afford to replace them yet.
--Frame is rusting out on drivers side, with a separated crack in front of the axle (might be able to weld together).

I've been reading some of the other posts with similar situations, but I would like suggestions for other components to check. With the frame rusting out it's really time to "put her down", but until more permanent employment comes along I keep applying bandages.
Thanks!

[madpogue]

From your description of the location, that's the cradle that's rusting, not the spaceframe. Bolt-on part. That, and the shot control arms, will def. affect the precision of the steering. The play you describe also suggests that the sway bar end bushings are shot, and/or the bushings at the inboard end of the control arms.

So go look for as new a car as possible in the boneyard, hopefully one with fairly solid control arms and sway bar bushings, and a rust-free cradle. Remove the cradle with the sway bar and control arms in place (easier operation anyway) and swap in the whole kit and kaboodle. Worst case, you can't find one with good control arms, just grab the whole assembly anyway, buy some new CAs, install them to the cradle and sway bar while it's off the car, and again, install the whole assembly to the car.

[fetchitfido]

What kind of alignment has it gotten after you replaced the tie rod ends?
Bad LCA bushings will def go towards bad handling, as well as no alignment after doing TRE's and a soft engine cradle may allow enough movement in the LCA to create all kinds of havoc.

[bumpdraft]

Originally Posted by kdhunter

All,


--I know the LCA balls are shot, I just can't afford to replace them yet.
...I keep applying bandages...

I have a used set of TRW Control Arms with 15,000 miles on them.
If you want them for the cost of shipping...They will probably fit in a USPS Flat Rate box.

[kdhunter]

Thanks to all for the suggestions... see replies below

madpogue - I'm not familiar enough with the frame to know the cradle or space (and my old Haynes book doesn't cover it). This may be a job beyond my skill set.

fetchitfido - No alignment (yet). Seems pointless until I can replace the LCAs, (that and not having worked for over a year and a half severely limits my budget).

bumpdraft - I may have to take you up on that offer. (Postage shouldn't be bad from Mich to Ind.)

[madpogue]

If you're concerned about the ability to swap out the cradle, it's easier than welding it. As said, it's all bolt-up parts; you could literally do it in a driveway with hand tools.

[bumpdraft]

Originally Posted by kdhunter

bumpdraft - I may have to take you up on that offer. (Postage shouldn't be bad from Mich to Ind.)

That's what I figured.

Let me know.
I removed them while looking for a clunk and wobble while cornering. The clunk/wobble was the strut inserts loose in the tube .

[madpogue]

Originally Posted by bumpdraft

The clunk/wobble was the strut inserts loose in the tube .

Just out of curiosity, what brand/flavor of struts? That's some craptastic mfg quality control....

[bumpdraft]

Originally Posted by madpogue

Just out of curiosity, what brand/flavor of struts? That's some craptastic mfg quality control....

Carrera Strut Tubes with machined steel SPS interference-fit caps, Koni Inserts.

Operator Error Craptastic field assembly of components pounded to death on Michigan's roads.

All I needed to do was tighten the nuts. I had the air space in the tubes full of fork fluid** ( Hey! It's a fork, right?) so the clunking was muffled.

Honestly could not follow the World Universal Euro Instruction pictures.
The picture was trying to depict cleaning the interior of the tubes and applying thread-locker. I used anti-seize and filled them with fork oil

[bumpdraft]

Back to Flaky Steering:

Post #11 from DIYGuy:
http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=164515

^I will be looking into this on my steering. I'm sure the bearing is worn^

[mattelderca]

If you right click on the post number you can save the link directly to the post.