Car sways at high RPMs

[mistermoonpie]

Hey guys I just got my 97 3000GT SL 4 days ago and I must say I'm impressed! Excellent condition inside and out, manual transmission, brand new speakers and Infinity rims, 99% flawless original Pearl paint, perfect leather interior, runs smooth and sounds great. Its the car I've always wanted, and I traded in my prized 99 Firebird to get it. BUT ANYWAYS...

When I drive the car normally (shifting at around 3000-3500 RPMs) The steering is fine and dandy. But when I want to floor it, I'll start going and everything is fine. Then when I get to about 4700-5000 RPMs it feels like I'm kinda losing control of the steering. It's not a major feeling, kinda hard to describe, but its kinda like the feeling of someone sittin next to you and playin around by nudging the steering wheel to pretend to make you lose control. Now my only other car (the firebird) was a RWD automatic, and the 3000GT, as I'm sure you are ALL aware, is a FWD manual, and I've read that it makes for a relatively bumpy ride. Am I just new to the FWD world, or should I get my steering/suspension checked or something? Come to think of it, the car does kinda sound like creaky springs when I turn, so maybe that has something to do with it. Suggestions?

[X2Xtreme360]

Well I don't know if you mean a bumpy ride or a loss of steering control but I know that in my SL, if I'm in a low gear such as 1st and I punch it, it's really hard to control the steering for a second. Usuaully it pulls to the right or left. My only guesses are A) The car needs to be aligned, which is highly unlikely for me because my car is aligned and it's smooth at high speeds. B) I would think that if you punch the gas and you basically transfer all the weight to the rear of the car (it being fwd) there's less control in steering because your not getting as much traction up front. I could be wrong, but that's my take on it.

[Linebckr49]

2 things;

if your suspension is creaking, then you probably need new shocks. get outside the car and press down on each corner (strut) and see which one(s) creak.

as for the loss of control at upper rpms, its called torque steer and that's what you get with a FWD car that's got a peppy motor.

[mistermoonpie]

Kk so its not a huge problem? Thank god! I figured that's what it was because It didnt really feel like a mechanic problem. Guess i just gotta get used to it. Yea i did the thing where you push down on the car and sure enough both of the shocks creaked, so ty for that advice. How much do new shocks cost, and are some better than others? ty very much again

[Linebckr49]

ya, torque steer isn't a huge problem, its more of something you just deal with and get used to. one solution is to get a LSD. quaife makes a nice one for our cars, but its not cheap at about $1200.

i just purchased some new shocks today, actually. the ones from the dealer are over priced. only KYB makes some for our cars. i get mine from www.thepartsbin.com. pay attention to whether or not your car has ECS (electronic controlled suspension) when buying struts, also front or rear. thepartsbin has good prices and gives you free shipping on orders over $50.