Strange handling issue

[Fester's Quest]

Hi all, my festy is trying to kill me, but only on left hand turns.

The problem only happens when i make sloped 90 degree left hand turns at 45+. If the turn meets those criteria, the car will suddenly jerk hard to the inside of the turn and it really feels quite dangerous ( have to counter steer a little bit ). The car turns just fine on right hand turns and almost all left hand turns except the ones described. there's no popping noises or any noises at all when it happens. could this be a problem with my swaybar ? Or maybe the car is just out of alignment ?

[WmWatt]

Any sound with that? Can you put the front end up on jack stands to look and feel while turning the wheel? You could look for loose or worn parts. You could look at sway bar bushings for wear with the car on the ground.

[Aaronbrook37]

0. Inflate your tires, do a tire rotation, and ensure they are aligned and balanced properly.

1. I would definitely check the swaybar retainer bushings and also the rigidity of your wheels when up in the air.

2. Try shaking the wheels in all six directions: in, out, up, down, left, and right. May be some worn steering components. This one is a bit less likely given your speed circumstance.

3. Also try checking that your calipers aren't sticking by cleaning them thoroughly with brake parts cleaner, spinning the hubs with the wheels off, and seeing if they spin freely. Your inside front/rear brake may be sticking at higher speeds.

[Fester's Quest]

3. Also try checking that your calipers aren't sticking by cleaning them thoroughly with brake parts cleaner, spinning the hubs with the wheels off, and seeing if they spin freely. Your inside front/rear brake may be sticking at higher speeds.

I think this is where my problem is because i know that the guy i bought it from said that one of the slave cylinders on the left caliper was stuck. I didn't know it could cause it to grab in a turn though. how would i go about fixing it ? new caliper ?

[stonemaster]

I think this is where my problem is because i know that the guy i bought it from said that one of the slave cylinders on the left caliper was stuck. I didn't know it could cause it to grab in a turn though. how would i go about fixing it ? new caliper ?

or a rebuild

[scitzz]

0.

2. Try shaking the wheels in all six directions: in, out, up, down, left, and right. May be some worn steering components. This one is a bit less likely given your speed circumstance.

^This. Do this. I vote for this.^

[denguy]

The rubber hose to the right side caliper was plugged on mine and the car would pull to the left when I hit the brakes.

[WmWatt]

"I think this is where my problem is because i know that the guy i bought it from said that one of the slave cylinders on the left caliper was stuck. I didn't know it could cause it to grab in a turn though. how would i go about fixing it ? new caliper ? "

If so you could try cleaning and lubricating the pins the brake pads slide on. No need to remove. Can be done on the car. I cut a small strip of sandpaper or emery cloth to go around the pin and pull back and forth to clean. Also squeeze pads manually with a pair of adjustable pliers to make sure they move.

[Fester's Quest]

^This. Do this. I vote for this.^

Oh, i understand your concern :eeeeeek:. i've replaced 2 wheel bearings and wooooow is that scary when one starts to wobble !!! i can't believe that the only thing holding the rear wheels on is a crimped brass nut, SCARY !!!

[Fester's Quest]

I know that the brake fluid is reeeeally dirty, but i would assume that by changing this, it might be worse ? Thoughts ?

[DriverOne]

Bleed your brakes if the stuff is dirty. New fluid won't hurt.

[scitzz]

Bleed your brakes if the stuff is dirty. New fluid won't hurt.

Yes.

However, I am thinking more along the lines that you have a problem in the tie rod ends, or in the steering rack. I had the same problem you described when I needed my steering rack rebuilt. IF you do the test that I voted for, it is easy, and will possibly highlight the problem....

[drddan]

^ or a bad strut!