Steering wheel jerks when shifting

[wolgy]

Hello all,
I have a 1990 EFI/auto with 130k on the clock. When I am accelerating the wheel jerks just a bit left then right when shifting, most noticeably from 2nd to 3rd. Any idea what is causing this?
Thanks,
Wolgy

[batstiva]

First off, how are your tires? If they are iffy, it could be as simple as one of them is getting traction first. Beyond that, I'd check motor mounts and tranny mounts, just to make sure everything is tight, and nothing is moving around.

[JoDan]

I had this problem... check your sway bar to control arm bushings

[FestYboy]

^+1 and also your lower ball joints/tierod ends.

[wolgy]

Thanks, everyone. I have new tires, ball joints and tie rod ends. I will check the sway bar and motor mounts.

[Nickb1907]

mine did the same, replaced sway bar bushings, ball joints, and tie rods, drives great now

[5.0zone]

I had the same problem... check your sway bar to control arm bushings
oops, someone said that already :-)

[Festiva Time]

The condition you have is called Torque-Steering. If the conditon is severe, it tends to be the suspension [SwayBar mounts/Bushungs, Control Arm bushings, etc.]. Less severe tends to be the motor mount at the nose of the engine [AKA: pulley end]. Troubles finding anything? Use a hammer and tap the suspension components. Campare the right side sounds to the left side sounds.

[wolgy]

It looks like my bushings are worn out on the the sway bar. These are rubber collars that surround the sway bar attached to the chassis at the front of the car. What are these called? I have checked a couple places (advance auto parts and autozone) and no luck so far. They only have the bushings at the control arm end of the sway bar.