Steering wheel shakes hitting ANY bump...any speed.

[g4ebguy90]

All right guys, been a while since I actually had to post a thread, usually I find stuff searching. This time I just couldn't find a good answer.

So here is the issue. Hoping maybe somebody has had this experience.

I will also say I'm not a suspension guy so I apologize for any newbish stuff.

1G 1992 Talon FWD NT 2.0L.
No upgrades, stock rims.
Stock everything.

Car always had a small sway when hitting a bump but was tolerable.
I swapped engines in the car and so she sat for like 2 months on stands.

I also at this time, put new outer tie-rods on the car. I maybe changed the locknut rotation by half a turn at most. Nothing ridiculous.

So on my first drive, I noticed while backing up the wheels kinda feel like they have a slight wobble. I ignored it, but I noticed on hard turns like (full left steering) they wobble the steering wheel a bit to, which was odd....

More of an issue then that, the car now when it hits any bump at any speed, it pulls, and just takes the shock so violently i dont even like driving it. The steering wheel shakes and the car pulls to wherever the bump was.

I checked play in the inner and outer tie rods, but they seem ok.
Control arm bushings are ok. Wheel bearings are ok.

Only thing really left is the strut and spring/mount themselves, but I don't understand how that could be the issue... I don't hear a knocking sound when hitting bumps..

Idk could you guys help me out, or give me hints?

I will re check the suspension to. I will keep this thread updated, cause i'm sure other people have ran into this.

Thanks.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

I also at this time, put new outer tie-rods on the car. I maybe changed the locknut rotation by half a turn at most. Nothing ridiculous.
Thanks.

I hate to ask, but have you had an alignment since you had it apart? What are your current specs?

The only time I've had this happen to me was, coincidentally, when I tried to count threads before when changing tie rods. It proved useless since the tie rod ends had a slightly different body length. I thought I had it close but when I got it all together I could barely drive it 3 blocks to the alignment shop.

 

[g4ebguy90]

I hate to ask, but have you had an alignment since you had it apart? What are your current specs?

The only time I've had this happen to me was, coincidentally, when I tried to count threads before when changing tie rods. It proved useless since the tie rod ends had a slightly different body length. I thought I had it close but when I got it all together I could barely drive it 3 blocks to the alignment shop.

I never thought of the different tie rod body length... hmmmm.... Yea I have not had an alignment. (Hate paying for that stuff). Guess I will have to bite the bullet.

What exactly did your car do?

 

[Dsmkauai]

Alignments are very important whenever you change suspension componenets. Unless you know how to do it yourself at home I suggest you pony up and get it done, most places have free checks. Have you checked over all the bolts around steering rack, have you checked the sway bar and links? Did you properly check/ shake down the front and rears? It sounds like wheel bearings are going bad or are bad. The strut and strut mount being bad might give you some clicking while turning and a crappy ride but I don't think it will shake, unless something isn't hooked up right.

 

[Tyeler18]

Make sure your rack is still tight and the bushings in it are still good. 20 years of driving tend to destroy the bushings. Also like stated above, tie rod bodies are all different sizes, just swapping them over and tight against the old jam nuts isn't going to be aligned unless it's the exact same brand of tie rod, and even then I've seen them change designs over the course of several years. I'd definitely get an alignment done ASAP.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

What exactly did your car do?

Pretty much drove like this thing:
Redirect Notice

Yes, I watched Silent Hill 2 last night and yes, it was pretty bad.

 

[g4ebguy90]

Holy crap I didn't know they made a Silent Hill 2. That's awesome.

So anyways from what I understand your car drove the same as mine? had same symptoms.

 

[g4ebguy90]

Update: Got an alignment done. Fixed about every issue I had, guess toe was real off.

Upon driving, I did notice I have a bad mount on pass side front. So replacing front suspension soon to.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

Glad you got it fixed. Go ahead and give it the 'ol resolved tag.