C5 suspension problem?

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Keith - 25 Feb 2007 14:42 GMT

Just last week my '97 C5 started acting strangely. It "yaws" while
driving. Just driving along straight and flat, it suddenly jerks to
the left or right a bit. It does this when you accelerate a bit, or
let off the accelerator. Hitting even the tiniest bump causes it to do
this as well. Feels like the steering is loose... any ideas?

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Dad - 25 Feb 2007 16:05 GMT

> Just last week my '97 C5 started acting strangely. It "yaws" while
> driving. Just driving along straight and flat, it suddenly jerks to
> the left or right a bit. It does this when you accelerate a bit, or
> let off the accelerator. Hitting even the tiniest bump causes it to do
> this as well. Feels like the steering is loose... any ideas?

There was an issue early on where the front spring bolts loosened. They are 15MM
head and should be checked anytime it is serviced by your GM dealer. Not sure
that would allow the condition you describe but it needs to get up in the air
and get a good look at everything that keeps you on the road safely.

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Kickstart - 26 Feb 2007 11:47 GMT

>> Just last week my '97 C5 started acting strangely. It "yaws" while
>> driving. Just driving along straight and flat, it suddenly jerks to
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> to get up in the air and get a good look at everything that keeps you on
> the road safely.

Sounds like something in the rear end suspension but it could be almost
anything from wheel bearings to trailing arms, loose bolts , worn front end
alignment parts even loose wheel lug nuts.
Better get it up on a lift where you can check front to rear

kickstart

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The Reverend Natural Light - 26 Feb 2007 19:47 GMT

I don't know (yet) how the rear suspension in a C5 works, but in a C4,
worn u-joints would do that. Whatever it is, that sounds like
something that needs immediate attention.

-rev

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Keith - 01 Mar 2007 11:32 GMT

Turned out to be front inner and rear outer tie rods. About $900 to
replace all four and re-align the car. $400 in parts / $500 in labor.
Ouch!

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Dad - 01 Mar 2007 14:31 GMT

> Turned out to be front inner and rear outer tie rods. About $900 to
> replace all four and re-align the car. $400 in parts / $500 in labor.
> Ouch!

Interesting. First off what are they calling inner tie rods, the only inner ones
I can see would be part of the steering rack? What are your driving habits (low
speed parking?), conditions, and miles like? I wonder why they put grease zerks
in the back rod ends on my C6.

Both the 26071832 front and the 26058600 rear wouldn't come up on the GM parts
site. Show front Moog number as EV343 $52 rack & ES2231 $62 tie rod end on Rock
Auto, K6537 rear ball joint with a price of $86 (ridiculous). If they replace
all six the parts cost looks about right. Would be nice if you can see the parts
they replaced and let us know what they are like.

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Keith - 02 Mar 2007 12:26 GMT

Wish I could tell you more... I just listed exactly what was on the
work order, and I didn't get the old parts. Sure fixed the problem
though.

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Dad - 02 Mar 2007 14:35 GMT

> Wish I could tell you more... I just listed exactly what was on the
> work order, and I didn't get the old parts. Sure fixed the problem
> though.

The problem is that tie rod ends don't wear out in the time span that your car
has been on the road, seldom if ever on the rear. No doubt one can fail but even
that is rare without some overriding reason. Then to they can be damaged from
some really bad driving/parking habits or driving conditions. One of the more
common reasons to have that many go bad is a dealer that sees he can get away
with changing them, or not, and turning a large profit, when all it needed was
an alignment. Seldom have I had a dealer that I pressed the issue with but the
parts they remove are mine and if they can't give them to me I don't pay for new
ones.

Still would be of interest to know your driving environment and habits that
could have created that kind of failure.

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Ric Seyler - 05 Mar 2007 22:50 GMT

>> Wish I could tell you more... I just listed exactly what was on the
>> work order, and I didn't get the old parts. Sure fixed the problem
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> Still would be of interest to know your driving environment and habits
> that could have created that kind of failure.

I agree Dad, tie rod ends shouldn't be worn anywhere near enough to
cause that kinda slop and movement.....
That some serious-a.s "wear"!

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Keith - 06 Mar 2007 12:39 GMT

Well, 107,000 miles on the car, just normal city/highway driving. A
few potholes here and there, but nothing major. It wasn't something
that could be fixed by an alignment, that's for sure.

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Dad - 06 Mar 2007 13:57 GMT

> Well, 107,000 miles on the car, just normal city/highway driving. A
> few potholes here and there, but nothing major. It wasn't something
> that could be fixed by an alignment, that's for sure.

Still very odd, my Eldorado had 118K on it and my '92 Corvette had 92K and other
than tire changes and an alignment when needed there was never a lost tie rod
end, let alone four.

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Ric Seyler - 06 Mar 2007 16:53 GMT

Well at least you got the original problem fixed.
And all new tie rods will bring up the resale value a tad.

>Well, 107,000 miles on the car, just normal city/highway driving. A
>few potholes here and there, but nothing major. It wasn't something
>that could be fixed by an alignment, that's for sure.
>
>

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