1998 Grand Marquis "wobbles" at low speeds

networkman · #1 01-31-2005, 11:03 AM

I hope someone out there can help. I have a 1998 Grand Marquis with 110k miles on it. It's been a great car with no major problems other than having to replace the torque converter at 90k miles. I change my own oil and have worked on the brakes, ie. changed pads, rotors, etc. and that's about it. I've noticed lately that when I am at low speeds (under 20mph), the car starts to wobble back and forth. When I get above 20mph it seems to go away completely. It seems like it may be coming from the back. The steering wheel doesn't shimmy or anything. The tires seem to be in good shape and I'm a little puzzled at this. Does anyone have any ideas before I get my head ripped off at the mechanic's? Thanks!

fredjacksonsan · #2 02-01-2005, 12:01 PM

I'd have someone drive behind me and see if the rear wheels are wobbling at all, although if the vibration goes away at 20 that would be odd.... any other speeds cause any vibration?

cobradude360 · #3 02-01-2005, 03:21 PM

it sounds like a tires off balence does it make any noise at all when its shakeing or does it do it when ur brakeing or all the time

networkman · #4 02-01-2005, 05:01 PM

The "wobbling" goes away at higher speeds. I've had the thing at 80 and it's smooth as silk. I'll get someone to drive behind me to see if there's any discernible wobbling.

It doesn't make any noise at all, just the "wobbling" motion below 20. This is the darndest thing. Maybe it a tire out of round??? Thanks for your posts!

fredjacksonsan · #5 02-01-2005, 10:09 PM

Is the wobble side to side, a tremor in the steering wheel, or in the seats? How 'bout a little more description about it.

networkman · #6 02-02-2005, 10:19 AM

The wobble is a side to side motion, no tremor in the steering wheel and yes, it feels like it's in the seats so I feel like it's the rear end of course. No noise at all, just the side to side motion at speeds below 20.

fredjacksonsan · #7 02-02-2005, 10:22 AM

Is it all the time or just when going over bumps?

My MGM would sway l-r in the back when going over bumps at slow speeds and around corners; I eventually looked at it and saw it was the tires flexing a bit; consequence of a plush ride I guess.

networkman · #8 02-02-2005, 10:45 AM

No bumps, just say in traffic on an expressway when it's stop and go. Maybe it's the shocks/struts?? Any thoughts?

fredjacksonsan · #9 02-02-2005, 10:52 AM

Side-to-side swaying is usually wheels or tires in my experience. It only does it at less than 20mph and is smooth otherwise, I'm thinking wtf???

I'm out of ideas.

networkman · #10 02-02-2005, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredjacksonsan

Side-to-side swaying is usually wheels or tires in my experience. It only does it at less than 20mph and is smooth otherwise, I'm thinking wtf???

I'm out of ideas.

Yeah I'm thinking WTF too! I'll try replacing the back tires. I bought them at Discount Tires a while back and got the cheap ones. Maybe they are telling me it's time to buy new ones and BETTER ones. Crazy!

fredjacksonsan · #11 02-02-2005, 11:11 AM

Hell, maybe they're not round, and your shocks work great at higher speeds?

Have you tried all the suggestions from previous posts yet?

crownvic95 · #12 02-12-2005, 06:13 PM

This happened to me too. I kept driving it for a while and then one day I looked at the tire and the tread went from perfectly straight all around the tire into an s-curved tread. The entire tread was shifted to the left, then to the right and back to the left again. I replaced the tire and so far so good.

JCLessard · #13 05-12-2005, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by networkman

I hope someone out there can help. I have a 1998 Grand Marquis with 110k miles on it. It's been a great car with no major problems other than having to replace the torque converter at 90k miles. I change my own oil and have worked on the brakes, ie. changed pads, rotors, etc. and that's about it. I've noticed lately that when I am at low speeds (under 20mph), the car starts to wobble back and forth. When I get above 20mph it seems to go away completely. It seems like it may be coming from the back. The steering wheel doesn't shimmy or anything. The tires seem to be in good shape and I'm a little puzzled at this. Does anyone have any ideas before I get my head ripped off at the mechanic's? Thanks!

If the whoble is from side to side at low speed only, you have a rear tire with a bad stell belt. It need replacing.

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