Car feels squirrely

[NeMiZiS]

So, when I first bought my car it had two blown shocks and it drove really bad bouncing around every where and what not.
I replaced all the shocks with KYB GR-2's which is a stock replacement shock, so I just reused my OEM springs.
They made a world of difference, but it still was feeling sloppy.
Then I put on a set of front and rear strut bars.
It helped tighten everything up some more.
Then had both the front ball joints replaced, because one broke on me.
But some thing just doesn't feel right, when I'm driving at higher speeds 65+.
I have had plenty of other 2g DSM's and they just didn't feel so squirrely.
So my question is what should I replace next?
Possibly the OEM springs from being beat to death from the previous owner driving the car way to long with blown shocks?
If so what springs are going to give the the smallest amount of drop?
(roads here are really bad, and I'm afraid of lowering my car too much)
Or maybe I need to get a polyurethane suspension kit, which are pretty expensive and I don't want to get one if I won't be able to notice any real difference.
I have also been looking at chassis brace bars, to tighten things up.
Any input will be greatly appreciated.

 

[illeffekt vr-4]

How are the tie rods (inner and outer)? Did you get an alignment done?

 

[JEFFREYCASTGSX]

So what do you feel, you never expained what you feel.

 

[NeMiZiS]

No I haven't had an alignment done, I haven't checked the tie rods.
(what should I look for when checking them?)

When I'm driving at higher speeds and I hit a groove on the road or a bump my car jerks and sways way harder than it should.
I guess I would say it kind of goes where it wants to and I feel like I'm all ways fighting the car to keep it on the road.
But if I'm driving slower on a smooth straight road, it drives pretty much straight with only a very slight pull to right.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

You need an alignment.
And to check the tie rods you just yank on them. If there is any measurable play you will both feel it and hear it. Then you have to determine if the sound is coming from the outer end or the inner end.

 

[GPTourer]

I think I may have a similar problem, let me see if it similar to what you are epxeriencing. If I hit an expansion joint, go over rough or broken payment, the car seems to what to skitter and get unsettled and the wheel twitches in my hands, but only at a good clip, like you say of over 50 or so. Is that close to what you are feeling?

 

[NeMiZiS]

I think I may have a similar problem, let me see if it similar to what you are epxeriencing. If I hit an expansion joint, go over rough or broken payment, the car seems to what to skitter and get unsettled and the wheel twitches in my hands, but only at a good clip, like you say of over 50 or so. Is that close to what you are feeling?

Yea, thats a lot better way of explaining it.

So, I need to jack up the car and jerk on the wheel up and down.
To see if and how much movement I am having?
Then determine rather it is the inner or outer tie rod?

 

[Dallas J]

I think its called tramlining, when the car wants to follow or jump out of the groves in the road. It is generally caused by either too much toe (in either direction), lots of negative camber, or something loose in the suspension.

Push/pull on top of the tires back and forth enough to try and get the car rocking a little bit. If the ball joints or hub bearing are bad you should be able to feel slop. Also try lifting one wheel up and try to turn the wheel by hand (with your hands on the tire thats off the ground) back and forth to see if you have play there. If so then it could be in the hub bearing or tie rods.

Also a bad bushing somewhere moving around, or loose bolts can cause enough play to change your toe from different forces caused by the ruts.

 

[juanpac0]

I think its called tramlining, when the car wants to follow or jump out of the groves in the road. It is generally caused by either too much toe (in either direction), lots of negative camber, or something loose in the suspension.

Push/pull on top of the tires back and forth enough to try and get the car rocking a little bit. If the ball joints or hub bearing are bad you should be able to feel slop. Also try lifting one wheel up and try to turn the wheel by hand (with your hands on the tire thats off the ground) back and forth to see if you have play there. If so then it could be in the hub bearing or tie rods.

Also a bad bushing somewhere moving around, or loose bolts can cause enough play to change your toe from different forces caused by the ruts.

It's a combination of tramlining and bumpsteer from what the OP said.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

The biggest problem you're facing is that you replaced key suspension components and then you didn't get an alignment.

It's all fine and dandy to check for worn parts, but the obvious next step is to get an alignment since you swapped parts in and out, changing the geometry and thus your alignment specs.

 

[NeMiZiS]

Ok so I got to get an alignment.
The only reason I haven't got it done is I hate letting other people touch my car!!!
An alignment isn't something I can do in the garage, huh?
Even if I had the know how?

 

[Imback]

There was a thread or article showing how to adjust a few things on here but i can't find it right now. It's a lot easier to just have a shop do it.

 

[2slow4utsi]

Could also be a control arm. My car used to pull really hard to the right sometimes and I needed a new lower control arm. That and I needed 3 out of my 4 tie rods replaced.

 

[psycho]

Jack the car up with the wheels off the ground and place on jack-stands.

Place your hands at the 9 and 3 o'clock position on the tire. Try to move the tire by push/pulling. If there is play, you should replace your tie rods.

Place your hands at the 12 and 6 o'clock position on the tire. Try to move the tire by push/pulling. If there is play, you should replace your wheel bearing.

Look for any torn grease boots on any of the ball-joints. Replace as necessary.

You should have gotten an alignment before you started this thread, after tearing your suspension apart. However, now that you have, might as well replace anything the MAY be worn/broken before spending money on an alignment.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

Ok so I got to get an alignment.
The only reason I haven't got it done is I hate letting other people touch my car!!!
An alignment isn't something I can do in the garage, huh?
Even if I had the know how?

I know the feeling. I disconnect my wastegate before taking my car in for something even as simple as an alignment.
Some do actually do their own alignments and like a member suggested above, there are a few posts regarding that. I'd rather have it done professionally, myself.