Very weird WOBBLE?

[stratt134]

I took a 120 mile trip, one way, a few weeks ago and about 30 miles outside of where i was heading, i started to notice this very apparent wobble..... That was the first trip I took in the car since I bougt it. Here are a list of symptoms from my diagnisis:

Most importantly, it seems like the problem 'warms up', as in it doesnt happen until the car has been driven at freeway speeds for at least 15 - 20 miles.

It also only really happens under one condition, the load on the motor: If I am in 5th gear, and very very lightly accelerating (drivetrain set in forward force with very minimal load) it doesn't happen, but if you keep it in gear, and try to hold the same speed (not accelerating or decelerating) this wobble shows up. You can feel it on your feet big time. It is only the drivers side front wheel.

I checked the lug nuts, pulled on the IFS stuff on that side, and the CV joint. None of that was loose, but the tire was still on the ground (car in neutral, e-brake set)

Like I said when I take friends for a drive the problem won't happen unless I put a lot of miles on it. Once it starts, I can go down back roads at about 35 - 45 mph in a high gear with the RPMs really low, and you can feel it big time.

Almost feels like the drivetrain has slack on that side or something? I asked a mechanic about re-packing the wheel bearings, but he said we have seals or something instead....

Any help is greatly appreciated. Let me know what you think... seems like this would be a costly diagnosis charge at a shop since it's not really aparent what the problem is...

 

[lasertim]

You arent going to find anything with the wheel on the ground. Lift it up and start looking.

This may be long and confusing but bear with me.

With the wheel off the ground..
Grab it at 3 and 6 and shake back and forth.
Grab it at 12 and 6 and lift/shake up and down.

Now, if you have play in the wheel only at 3 and 6 you probably have a bad tie rod end.

If you have play when at 12 and 6 you probably have a bad ball joint (2g DSMs are known for this and there is a recal)

If you have play at 3 and 6, and 6 and 12 you could have a bad wheel bearing, ball joint, or tie rod end; or any combination of the three. If you experience this lift the car, support it with jack stands, and have some one look at each suspension piece until you notice where the movement is coming from.

If you have excessive play in any of these joints drive it as little as possible and get it taken care of asap. I have had a couple of 2g DSMs towed in with any of the above three problems(mainly ball joint and wheel bearing) because it was neglected and completely went out.

If it is a lower ball joint get it to the dealer and have it fixed cause it should be free. If it is a wheel bearing do it yourself in the garage, it is easy. If it is a rod end do it yourself and set the alignment as best as you can with a tape measure and drive it to an alignment shop right away.

Post up your results.

EDIT: remember with your GSX if you need it towed you need a flat bed to do it.

 

[stratt134]

12 and 6 is tight, no wobble.

3 and 6 is a different story, . Passenger side is tight, but the driver's side has some play in it, before the play in the R&P is felt (like on the pass side)

Wish it would have been 12 & 6 for the recal (FREE!)

I haven't had a chance to turn the wheel and pull on the tie rods yet, about to go do it now. What else should I check for (on this problem) while the car is in the air?

 

[AlphaAssault]

You arent going to find anything with the wheel on the ground. Lift it up and start looking.

This may be long and confusing but bear with me.

With the wheel off the ground..
Grab it at 3 and 6 and shake back and forth.
Grab it at 12 and 6 and lift/shake up and down.

Now, if you have play in the wheel only at 3 and 6 you probably have a bad tie rod end.

If you have play when at 12 and 6 you probably have a bad ball joint (2g DSMs are known for this and there is a recal)

If you have play at 3 and 6, and 6 and 12 you could have a bad wheel bearing, ball joint, or tie rod end; or any combination of the three. If you experience this lift the car, support it with jack stands, and have some one look at each suspension piece until you notice where the movement is coming from.

If you have excessive play in any of these joints drive it as little as possible and get it taken care of asap. I have had a couple of 2g DSMs towed in with any of the above three problems(mainly ball joint and wheel bearing) because it was neglected and completely went out.

If it is a lower ball joint get it to the dealer and have it fixed cause it should be free. If it is a wheel bearing do it yourself in the garage, it is easy. If it is a rod end do it yourself and set the alignment as best as you can with a tape measure and drive it to an alignment shop right away.

Post up your results.

EDIT: remember with your GSX if you need it towed you need a flat bed to do it.

Im ressurecting this thread because this sounds similar to what I have noticed. Firstly, what constitutes as "excessive play"? A few millimeters or an inch?

Anyways, I have noticed a wobble at 65mph or above. I feel it mainly through the steering wheel. The thing is, if I just let the wobble continue (i.e. drive above 65mph for a minute or two) the wobble eventually goes away. After its gone, there is no sign that there was ever a wobble. Everything is smooth, quite, etc...

I jacked the car up and moved the wheel by hand and got about 1/8 inch of play at the 12 and 6 oclock positions, and maybe 1/4 inch of play at the 3 and 9 oclock positions. We looked under the car at the suspension and couldnt determine where the play from 3 and 9 were coming from, but the play at 12 and 6 seemed to end at the ball joint (i.e. the ball joint moved a little but the control arm did not). As far as I could tell, the wheen and hub assembly moved together. Could anyone tell me whats up here?

 

[AlphaAssault]

shocks wouldnt have anything to do with this would they? my shocks are groaning like crazy, but as far as I know thats not dangerous.