Forester Handling Problem

[dbryant]

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

 

[S]

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.
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?

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

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Hi Doug!




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

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

 

[kaboom]

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?

**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

 

[dbryant]

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

 

[dbryant]

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

 

[Tony Hwang]

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,
Checked sway bar links? Tire air pressure? Time to replace strut/shocks.