feels like my front end is coming apart!

[Brute03]

hey guys, my car has gotten really hard to drive recently. it feels as if something is loose in the front end, if i hit a bump or go over some rough road, the car wants to dart and dive in either direction even though i'm holding the steering wheel steady and the alignment is way off now.

the car just rolled over the 70K mark and i don't know where to start, any suggestions? because i almost ran off the road last night

 

[EPIK]

Is your car lowered? If so, I would recommend getting a Steeda bumpsteer kit & X2 balljoints because it sounds like bumpsteer to me.

If its not lowered I would say check out your tie rods, balljoints, front bushings, & check your steering rack for leaks....

 

[Brute03]

nope, stock suspension

 

[DTNODYA]

Before you even get into checking underneath the car, check your tire pressure.

 

[Mike97gt]

Check your tie rod ends by jacking up the front end and hold the wheel at the three and nine o'clock position and shake from side to side do this on both the driver and passenger side

Most of the time it's the outer tie rod ends that cause this issue

 

[d98gt]

TRE's a tough install by any means on these cars? It's about time I do some maint. with all new bushings and engine mounts.

 

[00stangv6lr]

Your front control arms are probably bad. I had mine replaced at 30,000 miles with new ford control arms from ford. They changed the design on them. Mine were replaced under warranty and the guy said mine were in pretty bad shape. The TSB on them is one the the following I believe. 17506, 17100,16995.

 

[Brute03]

are the tie rod ends hard to replaace? when ever i hit a bump, the right side makes sort of a knocking/clunking sound.... like an old, beat up hooptie

 

[007]

If your not sure whats going on, take it to a decent shop and have them check it out.

 

[BlownFiveLiter]

Try what svttech76 suggested for your tie rod ends. To check balljoints, you'll need to use something to pry against the tire at the 6 o'clock position to look for deflection. The tie rod ends should be an easy swap, but you may or may not need a pickle fork to pull them from the spindle. Depending on how mechanically inclined you are, it's about a 25-30 minute job per side. Balljoints are a bit more involved, and I'd rather replace the control arm entirely.

 

[Brute03]

ok, i'll check it out in the morning and let you guys know

 

[ceracer33]

might be a dumb question but what kinda shape are ur tires in? if ur tires are getting fairly worn down they will tend to follow grooves in the road. mine is starting to do that, my dads mach1 was doing it when his tires were worn as well.

 

[Brute03]

my tires are about 80% and the lugs are torqued, so i know that's not the cause.

i tried what Mike suggested and the right wheel does indeed rock back and forth slightly. i don't know what it's called but the joint where the spindle and the control arm meet seems to be the culprit