Regis Posted August 9, 2005 Report Share Posted August 9, 2005 I've been getting a sporatic wobble from the front end lately at higher speeds. A floating sensation if you will. I could feel it in the steering wheel as well as in the seat. My fiance' noticed it too (by the way we're getting married this weekend.. yay!). Like I said this would come and go (sporatic). I got a hold of Scotty and had him give me his two cents. I thought it might be a balance issue, worn tie rod, or sticky caliper slide (right rim gets a bit hotter than the left. He thought it sounded like a balance issue. So I ran down to Dunn Tire (these guys were terrific) and they got me in and out. The 2 front tires balanced and all 4 tires filled with nitrogen. After a fast furious test drive from 65-85mph I'm happy to report that all is better. I still have the slightest floating sensation and I think it might be a tie rod going or ball joint starting to act up. Of course I'm aware of the smallest changes and I'm being picky on a car with over 217,000 miles on her so I have to take it with a grain of salt. Thanks for the help Mike! Oh yeah forgot to add: Total cost after tax was $32 and change. Not too shabby. "Burns" rubber " I've never considered myself to be all that conservative, but it seems the more liberal some people get the more conservative I become. " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
navion Posted August 9, 2005 Report Share Posted August 9, 2005 Kger2, Congrats on your upcoming wedding. Still planning on doing the deed at Sheldrake? I haven't had the chance to visit there this year. The last time that I was there my old home place was in the middle of a restoration. The couple that own it apparently ran out of money & didn't finish it. Hopefully It is done. If not, maybe you could buy it! It is a great place to raise a family! Wishing you and your intended all the happiness, Britt Britt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted August 9, 2005 Report Share Posted August 9, 2005 Glad to help! May I be the first to say (make that the second, Britt beat me by three minutes ) Good Luck in your marriage and Congratuations! (it's a big plus that your fiance' was able to help you in diagnosing your front end, she sounds like a keeper! ) Last week I was doing S-turns in my Deville causing my front hub to groan, and my wife could not hear it , so you are a LUCKY guy! Always REMEMBER the way you feel on your wedding day it will come in handy in the future. Good Luck to you both! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigmutt Posted August 9, 2005 Report Share Posted August 9, 2005 could the floating sensation be associated with your pending nuptuals.......? (btw, MY wife also is of no help whatsoever when it comes to diagnosing such problems) have a good wedding day; I have no additional advice except this: the more YOU and your bride enjoy yourselves, your guests will do likewise. "My worst day riding, is better than my best day working." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnydone Posted August 9, 2005 Report Share Posted August 9, 2005 if you are still having a floating sensation i would have your shocks checked out if your right side wheel is hotter than your left side you might try putting on new brake hoses evidently the caliper is not releasing properly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regis Posted August 10, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2005 Britt, Yes we are having everything at Sheldrake, even the rehearsal dinner. I have people coming from as far away as Texas so keeping everything under one roof so to speak makes it easier for all. We just finished our last dance lesson today so as not to punish our guests with the all too familiar "circle dance" lol. Although I have to admit that I do a mean circle. I'm hoping to have wedding pics up on the site soon after the honeymoon and I'm sure there will be plenty of background shots for you to reminisce over. It's beautiful country and I wouldn't mind living there. Who knows what will happen. Scotty and bigmutt, Thanks for the well wishes. I should have seen the "floating sensation" comment coming lol. Johnnydone, I might have a sticky caliper slide. I've had problems with the slides sticking before and it seems almost common on my car. The caliper, however, isn't grabbing hard enough to pull the car to one side when I let go of the wheel. But it is something I'll be addressing after the honeymoon. Scotty thinks I might have a ball joint issue as well which I have a tendency to believe and will have to checkout also. Ahhh yes it never ends does it? At least the wobble is gone for the ride to Sheldrake for the wedding. Thanks all! "Burns" rubber " I've never considered myself to be all that conservative, but it seems the more liberal some people get the more conservative I become. " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted August 10, 2005 Report Share Posted August 10, 2005 Just wishing the best to you and the soon to be new misses. There are no road maps to this trip so just take everything with a grain of salt and you both will be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ted tcb Posted August 10, 2005 Report Share Posted August 10, 2005 The miles on your STS are impressive. Have you done any major engine or tranny work yet? 1989 FWD Fleetwood, Silver 1995 STS Crimson Pearl on Black leather 1997 STS Diamond White 1999 STS Crimson Pearl 2001 STS Silver 2003 STS, Crimson Pearl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regis Posted August 10, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2005 The miles on your STS are impressive. Have you done any major engine or tranny work yet? Now, of course, I have my fingers crossed while I type this (is that possible? lol). But the answer in short is No. I've done the deep carbon cleaning with the phenolic spacer plates and similiar things but nothing too major. I had a jerking and slipping tranny for awhile but it turned out to be just some junk slopping around. Nothing that Trans-X and 60 miles of brutal shifting couldn't break up. No...she's been solid and faithful and still sings a beautiful song. The old girl has aged well. Thanks for asking ted. "Burns" rubber " I've never considered myself to be all that conservative, but it seems the more liberal some people get the more conservative I become. " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poopdeville Posted August 10, 2005 Report Share Posted August 10, 2005 Congrats on the upcoming nuptuals... I did the same thing in May (for the second time) and recommend it highly. As far as the floating is concerned... mine is the Caddy that floats. Someday, I may actually have a chance to own a Northstar-equipped Caddy that actually goes around corners without tossing the left side passengers onto the right side passengers. Best wishes... MP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted August 10, 2005 Report Share Posted August 10, 2005 Congrats on the upcoming nuptuals... I did the same thing in May (for the second time) and recommend it highly. As far as the floating is concerned... mine is the Caddy that floats. Someday, I may actually have a chance to own a Northstar-equipped Caddy that actually goes around corners without tossing the left side passengers onto the right side passengers. Best wishes... MP That sounds more like stabilizer bar link or bar bushings combined with soft tires. Try changing to poly bushings. If you don't have a rear stabilizer bar install one. Run your tires harder. Could be struts also. The problem you complain about however may be indicative of that era vehicle, they tended to be floaty in the late 80s. I don't think that is what Kger2 means by floating. I believe he means directional instability, which can be caused by worn ball joints and strut bar bushings (which I know he replaced), he also replaced his strut mounts. He is also getting a vibration transmitted through the car on bumps, so its possible his ball joint is loose which will cause the floating/drifting he is talking about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regis Posted August 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2005 Gooooood Morning! Ok on my way to the garage to have Mike give me his take on the situation. Before I left for Aruba I noticed that I seem to have a little 9 and 3 o'clock slop on the drivers front side tire. Could a tie rod cause what I've been experiencing? I'll report back after the garage visit. "Burns" rubber " I've never considered myself to be all that conservative, but it seems the more liberal some people get the more conservative I become. " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted August 23, 2005 Report Share Posted August 23, 2005 A tie-rod or, worn rack or loose rack could cause this floating. A loose rack however probably would be felt on both sides as looseness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regis Posted August 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2005 Well Mike(mechanic) couldn't isolate the problem. After test driving the car he couldn't notice any problem but admitted that since I drive it everyday that his take on it would be different from mine. I did have the front tires balanced before I left on the honeymoon and that made a big difference. And the day before we left I retorqued the front lug nuts (3 needed tightening on both sides) but didn't have time to take the caddy out for a spin to check to see if it had made a difference as well. The caddy sat for a week and while driving out to and from the garage this morning it drove/rode fine (figures). So perhaps it was a combination of things. I'll have to keep an eye on it and see if anything changes. The ride is still a bit harsh on low speed bumps but Mike seems to think that all the body bushings have settled and aren't absorbing the road shock as well as they used to. The car handles fine and is firm around turns still. It's a wait and see situation and for now I'm just enjoying the "added firmness". "Burns" rubber " I've never considered myself to be all that conservative, but it seems the more liberal some people get the more conservative I become. " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
navion Posted August 23, 2005 Report Share Posted August 23, 2005 Welcome Back!! I hope that all went as planned! The Best of Luck! Britt Britt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regis Posted August 24, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2005 Welcome Back!! I hope that all went as planned! The Best of Luck! Britt Thanks Britt I appreciate it. I'll send you some pics when we get them. I sent you an e-mail too. -kg "Burns" rubber " I've never considered myself to be all that conservative, but it seems the more liberal some people get the more conservative I become. " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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