front end, trac

bcampbell · #1 05-22-2005, 02:49 AM

can anyone tell me if the trac can go bad and if it does, how does it act? i've had problems with the front end of my car since i got it. it's a 98 gt. it feels like the steering wheel could break away from the wheels or the front end could cave in under me at any time.
i've had a bolt missing from the subframe replaced, a broken swaybar fixed, new strut plates recently, and it still sounds like my tires are rubbing something, and when i hit a bump it feels like the bottom will fall out.
the other day it was raining and suddenly i started to hydroplane so bad that i had to slow down to 40 mph on the highway. it was dragging me to the right and i almost had no control of the steering.
any suggestions?

BNaylor · #2 05-22-2005, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcampbell

can anyone tell me if the trac can go bad and if it does, how does it act? i've had problems with the front end of my car since i got it. it's a 98 gt. it feels like the steering wheel could break away from the wheels or the front end could cave in under me at any time.
i've had a bolt missing from the subframe replaced, a broken swaybar fixed, new strut plates recently, and it still sounds like my tires are rubbing something, and when i hit a bump it feels like the bottom will fall out.
the other day it was raining and suddenly i started to hydroplane so bad that i had to slow down to 40 mph on the highway. it was dragging me to the right and i almost had no control of the steering.
any suggestions?

How many miles are on your GT?

Thrasher CAI, DHP v1.0 ECU, Granatelli CAI Tuneable MAF,
3.4 SC pulley, Hi-Flow CAT, u-bend delete, 180 TS, TB spacer
ET: 14.3 @ 96 mph

bcampbell · #3 05-23-2005, 06:56 PM

just rolled over 100k.

BNaylor · #4 05-23-2005, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcampbell

just rolled over 100k.

Based on your description I would believe that it is more related to your anti-lock braking system (ABS) than traction control. When ABS kicks in it may affect your steering but it doesn't mean that there is malfunction. I'm assuming that you have adequate tires that are rain worthy. You mentioned new strut plates but how old are your struts especially at that mileage? Do you have any mods like a lowering kit, bigger wheels than stock, etc? The overall condition of your brakes (front and rear) greatly affects how the ABS and TRAC will work.

The front struts on my GTP went out at about 70K miles. Used to feel every bump and crack in the road and the front end would get pretty shaky. Big difference after replacement.

Thrasher CAI, DHP v1.0 ECU, Granatelli CAI Tuneable MAF,
3.4 SC pulley, Hi-Flow CAT, u-bend delete, 180 TS, TB spacer
ET: 14.3 @ 96 mph

bcampbell · #5 05-28-2005, 12:18 PM

my tires are good, and i don't have anything special on my car, just the normal stuff. It really feels like something is hanging down or dragging in front of the tires, and i hear the tires rubbing on something but i don't see anything touching them....

BNaylor · #6 05-29-2005, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcampbell

my tires are good, and i don't have anything special on my car, just the normal stuff. It really feels like something is hanging down or dragging in front of the tires, and i hear the tires rubbing on something but i don't see anything touching them....

Thats interesting. The noise is this with braking, acceleration or normal driving? Can you describe it and is there any duration to it? How old are your struts? What is your tire and wheel size?

The only thing I can suggest is to do a more thorough visual inspection maybe with the front end jacked up, if necessary.

Thrasher CAI, DHP v1.0 ECU, Granatelli CAI Tuneable MAF,
3.4 SC pulley, Hi-Flow CAT, u-bend delete, 180 TS,
TB spacer, MSD 8.5mm wires, AC Delco 41-932 spark plugs,
Goodyear Gatorback Serp. & SC Belt
ET: 14.3 @ 96 mph

bcampbell · #7 08-07-2005, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bnaylor3400

Thats interesting. The noise is this with braking, acceleration or normal driving? Can you describe it and is there any duration to it? How old are your struts? What is your tire and wheel size?

The only thing I can suggest is to do a more thorough visual inspection maybe with the front end jacked up, if necessary.

Thrasher CAI, DHP v1.0 ECU, Granatelli CAI Tuneable MAF,
3.4 SC pulley, Hi-Flow CAT, u-bend delete, 180 TS,
TB spacer, MSD 8.5mm wires, AC Delco 41-932 spark plugs,
Goodyear Gatorback Serp. & SC Belt
ET: 14.3 @ 96 mph

Hello again!
Sorry I've been so busy I haven't had time to even come back and look at this. This is crazy. Since May, I have put new tires on the front, and had another alignment done, where they found I was missing the bushing on the frame. It was completely not there at all, meaning that the other guys who replaced my sway bar, didn't put one in. The driver side of the frame was dropping down and moving around.
But....

this has not fixed the problem. Just like every other thing I've had done, it's better for a couple days, then it feels worse than before. Tire rubbing sound is unbelievable on the highway, bumps feel exactly the same. I live in MO., we're almost #1 on the list for bad roads, but these bumps, and they're not potholes, feel like they're pulling my tires into them. Very rough driving. I always wonder if I'm going to make it somewhere.

BNaylor · #8 08-07-2005, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcampbell

Hello again!
Sorry I've been so busy I haven't had time to even come back and look at this. This is crazy. Since May, I have put new tires on the front, and had another alignment done, where they found I was missing the bushing on the frame. It was completely not there at all, meaning that the other guys who replaced my sway bar, didn't put one in. The driver side of the frame was dropping down and moving around.
But....

this has not fixed the problem. Just like every other thing I've had done, it's better for a couple days, then it feels worse than before. Tire rubbing sound is unbelievable on the highway, bumps feel exactly the same. I live in MO., we're almost #1 on the list for bad roads, but these bumps, and they're not potholes, feel like they're pulling my tires into them. Very rough driving. I always wonder if I'm going to make it somewhere.

Hey bcampbell....welcome back. Out of curiosity how old are your struts? Are they the originals? At 100K miles or more, they'll do weird things to the front end when worn out.

Tire rubbing sounds like it could be a bad bearing or CV joint. Is the tire rubbing on any part of the fenderwell? Let us know.

Thrasher CAI, DHP v1.0 PCM,
3.25 SC pulley, CAIT GMAF, Hi-Flow CAT,
u-bend delete, 160 TS, ZZP Stage 1 TB,
TB spacer, MSD 8.5mm wires, Autolite 104s,
Goodyear Gatorback Serp. & SC Belt,
Nitto NT555R Drag Radials

bcampbell · #9 08-07-2005, 11:00 AM

not rubbing the fenderwell that i can see. i've never replaced the struts but a few months ago they replaced the strut plates, and the said the struts were ok. i bought it at 59k miles.
and i've always thought maybe a wheel bearing or something but they did tell me a while back that the axle was leaking??....
and since i've got you on here, i posted a new question about the fuel? do have any ideas on that one?

regalfriend · #10 08-07-2005, 09:41 PM

If you were told a while ago that the cv joint was leaking,...then this would be a good place to start...I dont know alot about cv joints but, know, when the boot cracks or hear a clicking noise around turns that it should be replaced...if you replace it then this would be a good time to replace bearings too

bcampbell · #11 08-08-2005, 08:48 AM

i think i'm going to have it checked out today. it just started making this terrible squeak last night.

hillbilly bryan · #12 09-08-2005, 03:55 PM

try new rotors i did

richtazz · #13 09-09-2005, 04:01 PM

I'd bet you have a bad hub bearing.

hillbilly bryan · #14 09-22-2005, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcampbell

can anyone tell me if the trac can go bad and if it does, how does it act? i've had problems with the front end of my car since i got it. it's a 98 gt. it feels like the steering wheel could break away from the wheels or the front end could cave in under me at any time.
i've had a bolt missing from the subframe replaced, a broken swaybar fixed, new strut plates recently, and it still sounds like my tires are rubbing something, and when i hit a bump it feels like the bottom will fall out.
the other day it was raining and suddenly i started to hydroplane so bad that i had to slow down to 40 mph on the highway. it was dragging me to the right and i almost had no control of the steering.
any suggestions?

mine did same thing bought wheel bearing drives great now cant hear nothing mine popped felt like front end was falling out replaced everthing wheel bearing last wish i had known 1500dollars ago atleast whole new front end

richtazz · #15 09-22-2005, 01:00 PM

bad wheel bearings will make a grinding/rubbing noise, and because they contain the wheel speed sensor on our cars, they will cause the trac off light to come on. If you hook your car to a scan tool that shows abs, I bet you will have no signal from one of the front wheels. Change that bearing and you're golden.

POST REPLY TO THIS THREAD