Just bought an '02... stability problems?

[JH32552]

Hey guys,

Last month I purchased an '02 Corolla LE from a local dealer. The car was previously owned by an older woman and only had 51k. The car was a cream puff and I jumped on it. The dealer put 4 new tires on it because the tires were cracked even though they had plenty of tread. After having the car for a few days I felt like I was driving on marbles! I took it back to the dealer and they replaced the rear struts and stabilizer end links. The car was a little better, but I'm still not completely satisfied. At times I feel like the car is on ice, and in the wind, it is all over the road! It actually scares me! When I hit a dip in the road, it feels like the car bounces diagonally. Weird! I took the car back again, and they test drove it only to tell me that the front end is tight and it's tracking properly. They also did not feel the vibration in the steering wheel or in the floor while test driving the car. Am I being too critical of this little car? I have a '94 Camry which rides and handles like a baby Lincoln. If the rear stuts were shot, what are the chances of the front struts being shot as well? Re: the vibration, it starts at higher speeds and stays,,, in other words.. I cannot drive out of it.
Any ideas?

Thanks!
Jackie

[JH32552]

I cannot believe that no one has replied to this post! Apparently no one knows if the front and rear struts wear at the same rate? Or, if struts would make a car feel like it is all over the road especially in the wind????? Or, what would make this car feel like I am steering jello!!!! Aren't there any mechanics on this board? If I had posted this on the Camry board, those guys would have been giving their opinions about this. GEEEZE!

Jackie

[rockwood84]

as the brits say i'll give it a go, struts wear just as shocks do if you can bounce the front end or if it keeps bouncing after you stop then you need struts if there is oil leaking from the struts then they are gone. do you have any slack in the rack i know they told you it was tight but if you can move the tires back and forth [ toward car and away from it] horizontal or vertical then you either have worn wheel bearings worn out inner tierods these are under the boot as the rack comes out of the body usually these will be bad and if you don't know where to look for slack then you'll miss it. do the front tires feel like they are dribbling on the road if so most likely struts. if you hit a rough place and the steering goes nuts then its slack in the steeing or slack in the wheel bearings thats all i got i'm spent couldn't leave ya hanging
hey let us know what you find as it may help someone else

[JH32552]

Originally Posted by rockwood84

couldn't leave ya hanging

Thanks rockwood! Seems like you were the only one man enough to step up to the bat here. I have printed your reply and will see what I can do to check the things you mentioned this morning. I have to have the car back to the dealers today and someone is going to drive the car home to see if he can make the car misbehave. The car scares me enough that I am seriously thinking of getting rid of it... I can't imagine what it will fee like on snow or ice if it's like this on dry roads!

Thanks again for helping a gal out!
Jackie

[SpinnerCee]

Excessively low or unequal left/right tire pressure would cause high speed wobble and mushy, loose steering as well -- also check the wheels/rims, one or more may be bent, also try rotating the tires front to rear and notice what changes, if anything. Improper wheel/tire balance would also cause high speed wobble, but would not have much effect at lower speed unless the balance was way off.

Struts rarely wear equally -- it's more likely that one will go bad. They're changed/serviced as an axle pair just like brakes.

* The Corolla is a lot smaller and lighter than a Camry, and it does drive like a go cart compared to the Camry and other mid-sized cars -- the ride IS harsher, and by changing the struts and end links you will firm that ride up even more.

add: What size tires does the car have on it now? (ie: 195/60hr14 -- provide all the numbers) It may be important.

[rockwood84]

anytime

[JH32552]

Hey Rockwood & Spinner......

Sorry I haven't had the time to post the results sooner.....

I never got a chance to check the car out as I said I would before getting it back again to the dealer. The service manager had one of the mechanics take the car home and it scared him half to death when the car went squirrely in a corner. Believe it or not, there was only 17 pounds of air in the right front tire. Apparently, the wheel weight was allowing air to leak at the tire bead. HHmmmm..... this was the 2nd time it was there for this stability complaint and they didn't see that the 1st time? I never thought about checking tire pressures because I would think they would have, wouldn't you? Oh well, end result is... the car still drives like Spinner said it would (a go cart! LMAO) compared to my Camry, but at least is isn't all over the road anymore!

Thanks so much guys!
Jackie

[rockwood84]

well at least it got his attention that wasn't there the first time . glad the problem is finally fixed. yeah the rack and pinion steering is quick and handles like a go cart on the smaller cars. good luck