Looking for Ideas

L

Ltmike

Member #033
Location
St. Louis, MO
First Name
Mike
Last Name
Shepard
Yesterday I fired up the Cobra and was en route to the meeting at Sonic. After getting on 270 I quickly noticed that the car was handling very loose, acting like I had a rear tire dangerously low on air. I immediately diagnosed the problem as a tire going flat and eased the car off the highway in search of a gas station. Upon stopping and examining the tires, they all appeared fine. I returned home and checked the pressures only to find they were all correct. Thinking I must have imagined the problem I resume my travel and again found the car very loose to the point that just changing lanes at 60 mph created a pucker factor in my shorts. It was like the front end and rear end were only loosely connected.

I let my common sense get the best of me and again eased it home. I put the car up on the lift to find out what in the suspension or steering had come loose, broke or bent. After a thorough examination I cannot find anything. I last drove the car Sunday, putting on about 25 miles, both highway and side streets and did not notice any problems. By this time it was too late to head out for Sonic. I'm looking for any suggestions on what to check.

The car was aligned last fall and I have not changed anything. All alignment adjustments seem tight. Just eyeballing it the car appears to have a very slight tow out. I guess my next step will be to lift each wheel individually, (I have a four post lift so the car rests on it tires while up) and check for any play. Has anyone come across such a problem?:confused:
 
Any vibrations? Are your shocks all in place and tight? Jack the car up and first check your rear tires/axles. Experts?
 
Mike,
Look closely at the bottoms of your front shocks at the A-arm connection and make sure that the shaft is not snapped and riding on the arm. Check the panhard bar mounts and upper link bracket at the chassis in the rear. As simple as it sounds, make sure your lug nuts are all tight.
 
Do I feel silly. Tom you're the man. I went out this morning and tightened the five loose lug nuts on my left rear wheel. I guess after 43 years of driving I've never experienced loose lug nuts. For those of you that haven't, it feels just like your getting a flat tire, very loose handling. I'm glad I didn't ignore it or I would have been driving home on my brake rotor.

You can be sure that I'll check them frequently from now on. I have no idea why they became loose, the other three wheels were fine. Thanks Tom. I should know by now to always start with the simple things first. I'm examining every nut and bolt in the suspension and steering while all the time my wheel is about to fall off. Live and learn.
 
Glad to hear is was a simple fix and you're back in business Mike. We've all overlooked something that brings on that DOH!! moment :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top