Front Suspension play???

[accord-ing to me]

88 LX-i, when driving lower speeds 30-40 mph, the front end feels like it drifts back and forth. I can feel in the steering wheel when it sways from one side to the other, when it sways to the particular side the vehicle pulls to that side. Once corrected won't feel same for a little while and then will start again. Doesn't seem to do this at 70-80 mph. I know this is a suspension issue, please don't tell me that. I am looking for any answers that may help pinpoint particular suspenion issues.

[BlueBead]

Sounds like Ball joints to me. I'm having a similar issue and its my uppercontrol arm balljoint. Supposed to have changed it out a while ago, but I hate working in the rain.
I get a delayed reaction when making turns and a serious wiggle when I lay down some torque.

[Neuspeed87lx]

worn tie rods, worn ball joints, broken sway bar/links ? alignment out ?

[accord-ing to me]

worn tie rods, worn ball joints, broken sway bar/links ? alignment out ?

That sums up most of the front suspension!!

[accord-ing to me]

Sounds like Ball joints to me. I'm having a similar issue and its my uppercontrol arm balljoint. Supposed to have changed it out a while ago, but I hate working in the rain.
I get a delayed reaction when making turns and a serious wiggle when I lay down some torque.

I think you may be right, it feels like a floppy ball joint--thanks for the input

[Neuspeed87lx]

well just put the car up in the air and check them !

[accord-ing to me]

well just put the car up in the air and check them !

Thanks for the blissful insight , didn't ask for smart ass remarks, but says alot about an individual--

[Oldblueaccord]

Thanks for the blissful insight , didn't ask for smart ass remarks, but says alot about an individual--

Also do a front end check,

1: jack up one side of the car till the tire is off the ground other tire must be on the ground still. I use the jacking point under the doors.

2: grab the tire at the 3 and 9 o clock postion and shake/rock back and forth slow at first. might needsome one to help look underneath. This checks tie-rods,steering rack etc. start kinda slow and work your way up a little harder. Your looking for loosness. Use common sense of course the steering wheel will move or the other tire may move if you shake the shit outta it.

3: Grab the tire at 12 and 6 o clock. Rock back and fourth.This checks the wheel bearing and ball joints other links

4: this check might show ball joints/upper link a little better. Use a pry bar under the tire at the 6 o clock pos. pry up look for slop looseness while prying.


This is your basic "front end check" any good mechanic should know. It works for all makes and models of cars


wp

[accord-ing to me]

Also do a front end check,

1: jack up one side of the car till the tire is off the ground other tire must be on the ground still. I use the jacking point under the doors.

2: grab the tire at the 3 and 9 o clock postion and shake/rock back and forth slow at first. might needsome one to help look underneath. This checks tie-rods,steering rack etc. start kinda slow and work your way up a little harder. Your looking for loosness. Use common sense of course the steering wheel will move or the other tire may move if you shake the shit outta it.

3: Grab the tire at 12 and 6 o clock. Rock back and fourth.This checks the wheel bearing and ball joints other links

4: this check might show ball joints/upper link a little better. Use a pry bar under the tire at the 6 o clock pos. pry up look for slop looseness while prying.


This is your basic "front end check" any good mechanic should know. It works for all makes and models of cars


wp

OLDBLUE--I have done the first three with VERY little play. I haven't tried the fourth but really need to figure this out, car is starting to feel dangerous--might have to go to the shop!!

[kilgorq]

I am getting the same issue. Mine pulls to the left most of the time but sometime it tries to veer right.

I took it in and had it all checked out, aligned, and the subframe inspected. ( it has been a little to close to another car backside once or twice.) They came to the conclusion that it was the steering rack. Because it was not returning to dead center when you turned the wheel while sitting.

This doesn't seem right to me. especially the pulling to the left. After the alignment it is pulling worse. The caster was off a little but that was all they found during the alignment. I also get a lot of wobble in the steering wheel at low speeds. They say that part is the tires. They quoted me $268.00 for a set of 13" tires. And $500.00 for a rack replacement. OUTRAGEOUS!!!

But if what they said about the rack is correct it could part of your issue. Especially if it goes haywire without hitting a bump or dip.

Hope this helps a little. They basically sat with the car idling and turned the wheel to the left, then to the right (About 1/4 turn each way) and looked to see if it returned to the same place every time. After dojng the baljoint and tie rod inspection.

[possum]

Bump,

I wonder if sticky/squeaky balljoints might cause odd steering characteristics?