98 SC 2 front shifting feeling when braking

[DEugene]

I have an SC2 with 220,000k on it....in recent years when braking I feel a "shifting" feeling in the front end (basically on the right passenger side)..... I have replaced the brake pads, calibers, rotors, and control arms.....after replacing the control arms the feeling went away for a few months, but now has returned....if I brake slowly it minimizes the shifting feeling, but if I brake hard from a speed over 30 I really feel the shift.....it feels as if something is loose, but I've checked and re-checked all bolts to make sure they are properly tightened and I'm still at a loss to find what the issue is. Any ideas??

[toggenburg]

You indicate this has been going on for y e a r s ??
Is there steering wheel vibration too?
Any abnormal tire wear?

I don't know, but could the shifting feeling be the engine moving forward cause the top motor mount is shot?
Try to see if there is room to insert a pen between the mount's top and the rubber insert inside the mount.
If you can, the mount needs replacing.

All else failing, take to an alignment shop and get it up on their lift.

[DEugene]

No, no tire wear, no steering wheel vibration...but I had not thought about the motor mount...thanks....... BINGO.....the rubber on the top motor mount has a crack thru it..... thanks.

[bumpdraft]

It is also possible for the bushings in the struts to be worn. The only way to check them, that I know of, is to remove the springs and check the struts at maximum extension.

[toggenburg]

Good find !!

Do a search for an AC Delco top engine mount and it will last a long time.

[Saturn Night]

Originally Posted by DEugene

No, no tire wear, no steering wheel vibration...but I had not thought about the motor mount...thanks....... BINGO.....the rubber on the top motor mount has a crack thru it..... thanks.

www.wholesalegmpartsonline.com

OEM upper engine mounts are still available from GM. They are the BEST replacement. Stay away from China-man junk being sold at AutoZone, Advance, etc.

This is ONE(of many parts), that if you don't pay the extra bucks for Genuine Saturn Parts, you will regret it within the next 12 months

[Medtactics]

Check the front sway bar, had the same feeling and found out what it was when I preformed an emergency-oh-****-stop.

The sway bar ends can pull apart, as they are only pressed in. Fixed mine with a argon welder after hammering the end back into place.

[DEugene]

When I replaced the control arms the sway bar appeared fine.... the new motor mount solved a few problems but I still have the shifting feeling when braking... it pulls to the left.... I have replaced almost everything, and now looking for other answers. I've checked the other motor/tranny mounts and they were fine.

[Bildo Baggins]

I assume when you did CAs that you checked or replaced sway bar bushings as well. It does sound similar to my situation as mentioned by another here. I would get a pull and a shutter on hard brake exiting highway etc.

Mine was the bushing which appeared fine visually but a pry with a bar and pressure off bar showed bushing was pretty much gone inside. Just slapping metal on one side.

I'm sure there are other causes but I'm not familiar with what they may be.

[DEugene]

Yep, I replaced both control arms, and the bushings on the front of the sway bar....this thing is driving me nuts.

[Medtactics]

Then most likely options are A - low tire pressure. Or B - Tie rods/tie rod ends.

[DEugene]

You know, thanks for the tip..... it has been 18 months since I checked the inflation in my tires, and remember that when there is low inflation it pulls to the left quickly and makes a loud popping noise when braking.

[toggenburg]

That is indeed quite a long time without checking tire air pressure.
How often do you check the less obvious, like oil level?

[bumpdraft]

Typo. DEugene meant 18 days? (If me, 18 hours )

[DEugene]

You ought to see how long I go between checking the tranny fluid!

[DEugene]

Back to being serious here.....the only thing I have not replaced in the front end is the Stuts..... could the pulling and popping noise on braking be that?

[bumpdraft]

If 270,000 miles on the original factory struts, then they are worn out.
I had some with 270k. Once the springs were removed, it became obvious the strut's internal bushings were very worn.