front end wobble

[steve_raymond 0]

i have a 97 ford taurus with about 225k miles on it. For the last 1000 miles i have noticed a front end wobble that is just getting worse. i have had my tires checked and there is nothing wrong with them. it only wobbles at over 70 mph and really bad when i apply my brakes. i dont know what to check and i have talked to three "mechanics" that cant figure it out. can anybody help me?

[Ghost 0]

if the car pulls in any direction when you apply the brakes than one of your calipers is hanging up. Did the mechanics check you tie-rod ends or anything suspension/ steering related? if not you might want to have them checked

[2007DBR9 0]

Are the front wheels aligned properly?

 

And is the front suspension in full working order?

[bfeeney 0]

I'd go with tie rods. brakes would pull the car not wabble

[steve_raymond 0]

if the car pulls in any direction when you apply the brakes than one of your calipers is hanging up. Did the mechanics check you tie-rod ends or anything suspension/ steering related? if not you might want to have them checked

 

 

 

the car doesnt pull when you apply the brakes. the suspension is in good working order but i dont believe they checked anything to do with steering

[steve_raymond 0]

Are the front wheels aligned properly?

 

And is the front suspension in full working order?

 

 

 

by looking at the tire wear it looks like the wheels are properly aligned and the suspension is working properly

[Ghost 0]

brakes would pull the car not wabble

If the rotors are warped it would cause a wobble while applying the brakes, if its warped really bad than a constant shake would be felt during driving and even worst while braking

 

Another common problem with taurus's is that a front axle will crack and cause a vibration also

Edited December 14, 2009 by Ghost

[bfeeney 0]

If the rotors are warped it would cause a wobble while applying the brakes, if its warped really bad than a constant shake would be felt during driving and even worst while braking

 

Another common problem with taurus's is that a front axle will crack and cause a vibration also

Yeah, your right. Actually check the wheel balance 1st (it's a few dollars) because if its coming in at 70mph I've seen that a million times. If the shake is in the steering wheel, it's the fronts, if not it's the back (or a bearing, of Ford engineering sucks)

[steve_raymond 0]

thank all of you. if that doesnt fix my problem i will come back and let yall know.

[steve_raymond 0]

ok just for sh!ts and giggles i put my undersized spare tire on there to see if maybe it was the tire. The wobble wasn't as bad\but it was still there. possibly because of it being a smaller contact surface. I really dont know. there is a plastic arm(no means a mechanic ) so i dont know what it is, but it goes vertically from a approximately a 3/4 inches around up to the steer mechanism. it also swivels, but the bushings on both ends are blown up. Could that be the issue? 0r am i way offM

[steve_raymond 0]

If the rotors are warped it would cause a wobble while applying the brakes, if its warped really bad than a constant shake would be felt during driving and even worst while braking

 

Another common problem with taurus's is that a front axle will crack and cause a vibration also

 

 

The front CV axels have recently been replaced, as well as the brake rotor and pads. i actually took it to a reputable mechanic for that, but he is almost 80 miles away.

 

 

I have also been told that it could be my wheel bearings. do yall agree with that?

[Ghost 0]

I have also been told that it could be my wheel bearings. do yall agree with that?

 

If your in doubt, jack up the car grab hold of the top and bottom of the wheel and try and rock it in and out... if it moves wheel bearing's bad if not your in the clear

 

there is a plastic arm(no means a mechanic ) so i dont know what it is, but it goes vertically from a approximately a 3/4 inches around up to the steer mechanism. it also swivels, but the bushings on both ends are blown up. Could that be the issue?

 

The part your describing sounds like the Sway Bar Link AKA Stabilizer Link... It's not 100% necessary, in order to drive but your car will handle like crap. i personally don't think it would cause your car to wobble, but I've been proved wrong before. And you should get it replaced... they are cheap

 

They may have balanced your tires, but did they do a "ROAD FORCE" check on them. They could be seperated inside the tread (something you can't see or fix by balancing). Is the steering wheel shaking or do you feel it in your seat as you drive? Sometimes you can rotate the tires and see if it changes. If it does, you need new tires. If not take it to your alignment shop and have them check the front end parts including tie rod ends.

Edited December 15, 2009 by Ghost

[Wally 0]

Have the engine mounts checked, the rubbers on the suspension and stabiliser, the shocks (front and rear), if you have hub rings whether they are shot, castor, uneven tie rod adjustment.

 

The tyres themselves may be woofed or unsuitable for the suspension tune, never seen a warped rotor in pics or real life, but they do suffer from DTV :- you'd know if the pads were grabbing.

 

Find a good tyre place that actually checks the suspension componnets, runout, roundness, castor, toe, etc. Check those engine mounts,

[steve_raymond 0]

If your in doubt, jack up the car grab hold of the top and bottom of the wheel and try and rock it in and out... if it moves wheel bearing's bad if not your in the clear

 

 

 

The part your describing sounds like the Sway Bar Link AKA Stabilizer Link... It's not 100% necessary, in order to drive but your car will handle like crap. i personally don't think it would cause your car to wobble, but I've been proved wrong before. And you should get it replaced... they are cheap

 

 

 

when it does start, the entire car shakes. i will try replacing the stabilizer link, just becuase it looks bad. it doesnt look like it is very hard to do.

[steve_raymond 0]

i tried to move the tire. it wont move at all