suspension question

[rockfangd]

Hi all. I just have to ask because I am concerned about safety.

When I hit a bump like a manhole or a dip my car feels like it moves sideways. (hard to explain) Kind of like the read end is swaying.

I have no suspension codes, My car rides level and at the correct height. It rides extremely smooth otherwise. I have checked for something obvious but havent found anything.

This year I replaced both my upper and lower insulator bushings(bushings between body and rear suspension) and The ride quality improved drastically, but I am concerned as I dont know what it could be.

I have also had my alignment done twice. The first time I had it done it pulled without passengers(not bad but enough for me to notice) and the second time It pulls with passengers(same thing not bad but enough to notice ) And it doesnt always pull.

Front end is tight, rear end is tight.

My left rear knuckle lower bushing makes a slight craeaking noise when you bounce the car but is not loose.

I also might add that I have 4 new tires at 35 psi

Hope all this helps. Thanks to all in advance

[Ranger]

I have also had my alignment done twice.

Four wheel alignment or just the fronts? My '92 was similar to that until I had a 4 wheel alignment done.

[winterset]

WOW I didn't know an alignment can fix this. I have driven much newer cars than my '96 including having a new CTS back in ~07-08. I started driving my classy Sedan Deville again, and thought I had the bounce on bumps too. All my suspension checks out 100% (according to my checks). I have my lifetime alignment from Firestone that I haven't used since '02. I'll have to plan on bringing it there for a 4 wheel alignment.

Question-

Do struts go bad like shocks (you can see the tires hopping on the road). I don't believe this will set a code, but can certainly be felt by the driver.

I checked my rear tires for excessive bounce by aiming the side mirrors down, and glanced at the tires as I road on a bumpy road. - all was fine.

Hopefully the alignment improves the ride, otherwise, I'll accept that it's just how the car of it's vintage rides. - which is still OK to me.

[rockfangd]

I have no idea, but i highly doubt that they did anything more than a toe adjustment. I cannot say I have ever had a car do this, lol someone one time had mentioned something about the leveling sensors in the rear, something about 1 being mounted crooked or twisted. I dont know if it rings a bell to anyone

[BodybyFisher]

This is typically caused by the rear knuckle bushings being shot, I had this 'sideways' feeling in my 96 also.

[rockfangd]

Possible this is the problem, does anyone know how hard the bushings are to change?

[scott y]

Go to the "search" box...there, you will find an array of info from all the very helpful people here. Not a very difficult job if you have a good selection of tools. Good Luck!!

[BodybyFisher]

There are aftermarket bushings now, KHE replaced his, do a search under KHE

[scott y]

If they are the same P/N as a '94 Seville: NAPA Chassis 274-9363 Roughly $70+tax(CDN)each.

[KHE]

Sounds like the rear knuckle bushings are shot. Grab each rear wheel at the 10:00 & 2:00 position and attempt to rock the top of the tire in and out (away and toward you). There should not be any looseness. The creaking is one of the signs the bushings are shot.

If you find one side is loose and the other side seems tight, replace both sides - if you just do the loose side, the tight side will wear out rapidly.

Dorman makes bushings for about $50 per side. I used them on my STS but noticed the lower bushing was 1/16" too wide so I machined it down.

The worst part is removing the hub from the knuckle - I needed to use a cold chisel as a wedge to break the rust bond. All said, it isn't that bad of a job - you must install the rear link bolt with the suspension very close to the in-use position in order to prevent the link from being wound up. Also, use blue threadlocker on the rear link bolt. The shop manual states not to re-use the bolt but it has been discontinued....

[stsevillests]

When I bought my Seville the rear struts were shot, Drivers side was leaking oil. Had excessive bounce in the rear from riding on coil springs I suppose. When I was driving around a corner and hit a bump, the rear end felt like it was sliding , or bouncing to the side. Replaced rear struts from Arnott and solved the problem.

[Ranger]

Question-

Do struts go bad like shocks

Yes.

[rockfangd]

well This isnt te first time I have heard of this. My 96 Eldorado ETC's were so bad that they were knocking over bumps.

My deville was tight last time I checked but tthe creaking noise started recently,

When I had my eldorado I had to replace the knuckles so it is nice that bushings are now available

[rockfangd]

Ok so big update. I heard a very slight noise last night on my way home and something clicked. When my eldorados knuckle bushings were bad I found the play by pulling the rear tires in and out at the 12oclock position. Sure enough My devilles are shot. Knocks like crazy when I do this.

On my eldorado I replaced the knuckles, but now I see there is knuckle bushing kits available. Has anyone done these yet, and if so how difficult are they? special tools, etc...

[rockfangd]

well i have done one side and am getting ready to do the other., What I did was put a bolt into the sleeve with washers that just fit and put a large ssocket on the other side, pressed it in a vice and heated the knuckle up and pressed them out and then pressed the new ones in. The smell is unbearable of the burning grease in the bushings. Overall not too bad but I couldnt see it possible without a torch

Update,

both sides are now complete, went pretty well all in all. 3.25 hours total. drove 50 miles and The difference in the steering and handling is unbelievable. Also no more creaking when I get in the car.

Honestly the only thing I was really worried about was the inner sleeves coming out of the outers, but they werent that bad (yet) because I was able to press the whole things out without fghting with the outer sleeves.

[BodybyFisher]

Thanks for the update on your work, let us know how it rides afterward

[rockfangd]

That I will. My cadillac always rides like a dream but It got even better. The steering and handling are improved substanntially, And that obnoxious creaking is gone. hard to believe that it didnt make other noises other than the minor creaking

[BodybyFisher]

Hey I love your thinking, I used to do the same thing with all thread, sockets, washers and fittings to R&R bushings from upper control arms on 50's to 70's GM cars, my Dad was good at improvising and making tools.

Glad to hear you are tightening it up and its riding better, I miss mine.

[rockfangd]

Well I am used to making things work and improvising as I am a diesel mechanic, so I pretty much see anything and everything.

All I can say is that I have for sure gotten my moneys worrth out of this cadillac so it doesnt hurt a bit to keep it that way.