EDIT:

It was the bushings. I got some Energy suspension bushings from Autozone for 35.99 and then paid 75 for a local machine shop to press out the old and in the new. In retrospect, it would have been cheaper to just buy the whole control arm though it would not have been Energy Suspension brand bushings. But the car tracks straight and true w/o not extra movement.

END EDIT


It started out only being noticable on hard accel and then when I let back off (maybe 2-3 weeks ago or so). But now I can feel it with any input to the throttle. When I accel at all, the wheel will actually turn toward the right some and when I let off, it will center back up. If I hold the wheel firmly and centered, the car will pull as described in my title.

I just got an alignment Saturday and the alignment guy shook the car down really good and didn't find anything loose/bad with the suspension but who knows. I don't know if he did a visual inspection though vs just doing the shakedown. The only issue I had was negative toe on both front tires.

It's getting to the point that I'm afraid to drive it!

Any ideas? If it's a bad lower control arm bushing, wouldn't the alignment shakedown bring that issue to light?

TIA!

 

I would check the LCA bushing - particularly the one on the passenger's side. Did a reputable shop do the alignment?

 

u need a new LCA or change the bushings i had the problem last summer

 

Kauffman did the alignment. Are the bushings hard to replace? Any pics of the LCA and bushings to know what to look for?

Thansk!

 

OK, made a quick visual on the LCA on the passenger side and it's pretty obvious that the bushing is shot. Would an alignment shakedown not catch that! Way to go Kauffman! lol

So, is it easy to just replace the bushing? Is it cheaper to just do the bushing? Any writeups on the net on doing it?

 

im also in the process of doing mine, or getting ready to do mine.

i think ive decided to take it to a shop. from what i understand its fairly difficult without a lift and hydraulic press. anyway im gonna give my local guy 30 bux to do the pair (and im ordering energy suspension bushings from cattman, i thnk its like $45 to my door). so 75 and im done.

 

I've found the energy suspension bushings from Autozone. They show as 34.99. I'm sure you'd have to order them but at least they are local if you have issues.

$30 to do the labor is good (or are you talking about just to press them out where you will pull them from the car first?).

 

change your bushings man.

 

You can probably see your wheel jumping back and forth when braking and accelerating. Have someone drive your car and just let up off the brake and get to an idle roll then hit the brakes to a stop while you watch your wheel outside. Then have them take off with the accelerator (no need to floor it just as you would from a normal stop) and I bet you will see the wheel move front to back when stopping and taking off. Just a way to for you to visually see whats going on.

As for the so called "Shake down" the tech gave your car its probably the same inspection that most techs do by just shaking the wheel and feeling for play. Thats great for old school cars with upper and lower A-arms but I like to get in there and start prying against the control arm with a B.F.Prybar. Just stick a it between the control arm and subframe and bet that control play will show then

 

autozone sells energy suspension LCA bushings ??

as in, the original brand name ENERGY?
or are they some autozone knock off?

 

They are the Energy brand, fixing to pick up some myself