[RESOLVED] car fish tails in the rain unpredictably

[blamclep]

on our 95 tsi fwd ( we just bought) in the rain the car acts like it is following grooves in the road. on dry pavement it only does it when it hits bumps. Kinda shifts to the right when it hits a bump. ive replaced the back upper knucle bushing because it was shot. ( Pain in the A--). the rear tire has a spot on it where it looks like it had been damaged from a curb or hard bump.im replacing the front motor mount tommorrow. would the motor mount cause this from the tranny and motor moving? or could the control arm be bent? please help . if youve experienced this before let me know. ive searched fr everything else ive done to my cars so far and there is alot of info on these cars on here and alot os wise DSM'rs out there. thanks for the info ive got so far and for any help i receive in the future.


cory

 

[Lonnie gandee]

My awd used to do this in the rain. But mine was from some almost bald tires.. Maybe fwd cars track the same on low tires?

 

[Dave_Hash]

how are all four tires? when I had low tread all the way around on my awd it was everywhere in the rain.

 

[blamclep]

Hmmm...thanks. that tire is pretty low on tread ill put a new one on and see if that helps. i was gonna jack it all up tommorrow and become more acquainted with her. that makes sense but i was thinking something more expensive....


cory

 

[asexton6969]

Think about replacing ATLEAST a pair of tires. IF you have tires that have different tread patterns it can still cause what your feeling. If it were me, I would replace atleast the rear two depending on what the tread is like in the front. Have the alignment checked while your at it. Just to make sure you arent gonna wear the crap out of your tires.

 

[blamclep]

ive got a set of four new tires i was gonna put on the AWD im gonna throw them on this one tomm the tires on the car could use refreshing. ill update and let ya know thanks!



cory

 

[Rex2342]

Check into getting an alignment too. I've you've replaced bad bushings and suspension parts is always good to get it aligned afterward.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

Think about replacing ATLEAST a pair of tires. IF you have tires that have different tread patterns it can still cause what your feeling. If it were me, I would replace atleast the rear two depending on what the tread is like in the front. Have the alignment checked while your at it. Just to make sure you arent gonna wear the crap out of your tires.

AWD cars must replace all 4 tires at the same time to achieve equal rotational diameters for all 4 tires. This ensures that one wheel is not rotating more or less than the others, preventing your drivetrain from seeing all kinds of stress and possibly failure.

 

[blamclep]

the problem is either a bent trailing arm( if thats what its called) or a bad bushing on it . the tire now that if been noticing it is kicked in towards the body. and i can grab it and shake it with my hand and it makes a klunking sound. its not a wheel bearing because i put two new ones on in the back when i got the car. its going down to the alignment shop this week and getting a alignment check and that should tell me whats wrong with it. i replaced the motor mount this morning. that wasnt it. its too damn cold to be messing around out side with it anymore today. got too many cars in the garage right now. ill keep every one posted and post the solution on here so people can search it later in need be.


cory

 

[Eclipsegst2312]

I had the same problem with my fwd. I brought it to a mechanic and he replaced both hub assembles and tightened everything up with new bearings and hardware. After that the car was solid in the rain

 

[blamclep]

Well...the bushings look fine . so ive been reading up on the toe adjuster and it seems like it would make sense to take it in and see if its just an adjustment to the alignment .it was driven for a while by the previouse owner with a bad knuckle bushing. so it couldof been forced out of alignment. ill post what happens next week at the alignment shop.


cory

 

[turbobird14]

AWD cars must replace all 4 tires at the same time to achieve equal rotational diameters for all 4 tires. This ensures that one wheel is not rotating more or less than the others, preventing your drivetrain from seeing all kinds of stress and possibly failure.

^definately! if you dont wanna be putting a new rear end in it then i would definately suggest this.. also get your alignment checked once you know that front end and suspension parts are good... having the rear toe angle out of wack will make your car feel weird when your driving

 

[blamclep]

^definately! if you dont wanna be putting a new rear end in it then i would definately suggest this.. also get your alignment checked once you know that front end and suspension parts are good... having the rear toe angle out of wack will make your car feel weird when your driving

its a FWD im workin on so mismatched tires are no big deal. Its getting 4 new ones as soon as i get this fixed anyways. now on my AWD it would be the case to have to put 4 new ones on. and trust mewould be alot more fun than having my wife drive my 2001 dodge ram 60 miles a day getting 12 mpg until this ones fixed.


cory

 

[blamclep]

ok to everyone that helped. it was the back right tire was way out of alignment. the toe was way inwards and it adjusted easily and didn't break. nothing bent or broken. and i adjusted it myself and its going straight down the road again. i will get it aligned professionally after i replace the front ball joints and strut bushings or struts whatever's worse. its fixed and good now.thanks again!


cory