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Car Forum / Subaru Cars / November 2007Forester Handling Problem
I have a 1999 Forester with 97000 miles, still running well. A few days ago, the handling became "loose" for lack of a better word. There is a little sway to it--it feels as if the car is sloshing back and forth just noticeably (the best comparison I can think of is that it is like the car is full of water or something, and overreacts to your steering). It's not a big deal right now, but I am concerned it might be the start of a major problem with handling/suspension. Any thoughts? Thanks!! Doug Hi Doug! >I have a 1999 Forester with 97000 miles, still running well. A few >days ago, the handling became "loose" for lack of a better word. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > >Any thoughts? Usually suspension "looseness" comes on rather gradually as components wear. If the suspension feel changed abruptly, odds are pretty good that something has broken or come loose. I'd check things out real well before continuing to drive the car. Check: Tire lug nuts and pressure. Wheel nuts. (check that nut "staking" is intact.) Strut mounting, especially the front tops. There is a bearing in the front top; be sure it is intact. Also check that the nut on the damper rod is tight. Have someone bounce the car and watch for movement. Front lower ball joints. Check with a pry bar; any vertical motion is bad. Strut dampeners. (wet with oil from blown seal?) Springs in position on top and bottom perches? Front and rear stabilizer bars, end links and mounting bushings. Front arm mounts. Rear trailing arm assembly. Loosing a wheel, or having a strut come apart at highway speed could ruin your day. Leaking dampers aren't life threatening, but handling and tire life will be negatively affected. Usually a failing ball joint will advertise it's self in no uncertain terms (loud "clunk" accompanying every move the car makes) well before failing entirely. Loose fasteners, if found, should be tightened and monitored. Hope this is helpful. ByeBye! S. Steve Jernigan KG0MB Laboratory Manager Microelectronics Research University of Colorado (719) 262-3101 > Hi Doug! > [quoted text clipped - 44 lines] > University of Colorado > (719) 262-3101 Add anti-sway bars to the list. Um - any work done recently? New tires? Loan the car to someone right before noticing the issue? Carl  Signatureto reply, change ( .not) to ( .net) Thanks, Steve. I did a brief check, but I think I'll take it in later today to have it looked at by a pro. I appreciate your help!! Doug Thanks, Steve. I did a brief check, but I think I'll take it in later today to have it looked at by a pro. I appreciate your help!! Doug >I have a 1999 Forester with 97000 miles, still running well. A few >days ago, the handling became "loose" for lack of a better word. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > >Any thoughts? **This probably isn't it, but I had a problem exactly as you described. One day, I felt that the back end of the car got noticeably "sloshy." Not a lot yet just enough to make me think, what the hell? The tires looked normal to me but about a week later, I noticed one of the back tires looked a little low. I took it to Belle Tire and they yanked two giant horseshoe nails out of the tire. (I lived next to a farrier and a giant horse barn/corral). :) Hopefully, it'll be something as simple (cheap) as this. kaboomie > I have a 1999 Forester with 97000 miles, still running well. A few > days ago, the handling became "loose" for lack of a better word. [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > Thanks!! > Doug Hi, Checked sway bar links? Tire air pressure? Time to replace strut/shocks. |
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