I recently had struts replaced all the way around on our "94 SLE. Also had new top bearings put in on top of the front struts. Struts were leaking and noisy and due for replacement.

Oddly, now I have memory steer (pulls to the right after a sharp right turn, and to left after a sharp left turn)(I had no memory steer previously, and general steering feel was nice and tight). The shop owner said to take it to Midas, and they could tune them in. Midas checked them out, but simply rotated the tires. This actually did remove alot of the right hand problem. They also said to drive around alot to wear the bearings in.

I took it up to Northern Michigan and found places to really exercise the bearings (taking great care that I hadn't done any boozing as I weaved all over the road). I did this several days for an hour or so each day, but it didn't seem to help much (but it was kind of fun).

The new struts are KYB, but I don't know which model. Midas (in Muskegon, MI) says they use KYB routinely without problems. I did grease the ball joints and tie rod ends thoroughly, drove them in, and then checked to the best of my ability for problems. They seem fine.

Obviously, I can keep going back to Midas (or other alignment shops), or back to the repair shop again and again, but I would like to have some ideas from the forum before I do that.

The only other odd thing that occurred was that I had the front brake pads replaced (rotors were ok) at the same time. However, they didn't hook up the horizontal stabilizers up afterwards. I could hear them scraping against the rotors, saw the problem, and brought the car back. The owner was a bit embarrased, very apolegetic, and installed new ones at cost with no labor charge. The guy who did the work was a nice young kid, but kind of an ape with maybe not too much experience (probably the owners son).

Well, any ideas from all you front-end gurus are most welcome.

Thanks!

Slug

This sounds very much like you need an alignment. You've been there and done that though.

Brake hoses are a possible culprit by not releasing the brakes fully. (although my gut says not in this case)
Something bent?

What is a horizontal stabilizer? I'm really unsure about this one.

Hey Boosty!

I'll get a pic on one. Maybe they're out of whack. I don't remember seeing them on our '98.

Midas didn't actually align, although I assume they checked. I gather camber is pretty hard to change these days.

I've been through the front brakes pretty carefully, but then it'* worth another check. It is possible that sharp turns could crimp the pads in somehow on same side. Easy enough to check. Weirder things have happened.

I'll go through a few things like this and see if I can spot anything.

Thanks!!

If you are saying that the struts have been replaced and no alignment has been performed where the car was on an alignment machine and someone dialed it in... then that right there is your first step.

OK

Makes sense. I don't know why Midas didn't make more of an attempt. I'm pretty sure they didn't do anything but the tire rotation.

I'll bring it back and breath down their neck a little. If they can't seem to figure it out, then on to another place.

(Archon, any alignment places you like in between Grand Rapids and Muskegon?)

Thanks!

Think of Midas like a fast food type of mechanic shop.

You can get stuff there cheap and quick....quality usually lacks thought.

Yeah, I like Grapewood Frame and Alignment on Chicago Drive. They do good detailed work there. Get an appointment.

OK, thanks guys.

I won't bother again with Midas for alignment. There'* one more place in this area I'll call that was recommended (Muskegon Tire), but if I get the equivalent of "huh?" on the phone, then it'* off to Grand Rapids.

By the way, Boosty here'* that pic I took. It'* the left front assembly looking from the rear. I guess the correct name for what I was talking about is the stabilizer bar link(with the red bushings). (Will, I need DarkStar to help me out with these technical terms again :? )


I don't recall if it was loose at the top or bottom red donuts, but it was rubbing on the axle, not the rotor (I think). I didn't see any damage to the boots. I don't even know why it was loose -- I don't think it had to come off for struts. Maybe it was broken and they just didn't bother to tell me .

You know the top donuts don't look real tight. Maybe I'd better check.

(by the way, everything is a bit filthy from 4 days of driving on wet, bumpy, gravel roads recently.)

Ahhhh... Stabilizer endlink bushings.

They shouldn't rub on anything when not hooked up and yes...they do have to come unhooked to change the struts. That bottom part of the suspension it hooks to flops down and out of the way to change the strut.

Has this problem been fixed yet? I have the same problem with my '98 SSEi. I replace the rear struts and strut mounts myself and then the next day took it to Pep Boys and had them put struts and bearings in the front, all Monroe Sensatrac, as well as a 4 wheel alignment. Although it feels much better than before it does kinda skip to the left or right on sharp turns with bumps in the road and it rained yesterday it felt really unstable like if the tires where shifting or sliding back and forth. I took it back twice to Pep Boys to have them check it and they did a road test and didn't notice anything but I know what I feel and it'* not right. The only thing I can think of is that when I did the rear struts, one at a time I used force with my hands to move the rear sway bar out of the way and kinda tucked it underneath the lower control arm while the other side was still bolted to the other strut. I wouldn't think I could actually bend it but that'* the only thing I can think of as to why my car feels this way. Let me know if you find a fix.