*For the record the car is a 99 em1 with only 117k on it.*

Ok, so about a month and a half ago. I swapped out my omni coilovers, as well as I removed the sk2 rear camber kit I had on my car in exchange for the nuespeed springs/stock strut combo and the stock rear upper arm that came with the car when I bought it. Due to the fact that I want to sell the car, so I just wanted to part it out. Anyways, Since then I have notcied my car drives very odd.
1) For starters, for as long as I've owned the car, every time I jack the car up to rotate the tires, afterward my steering is off center. For example, I jacked the car up(with a perfectly centered wheel) then when I let it off the jack, I noticed that my wheel was angled slightly to the right when driving straight down the road. About a week later I rotated my tires, then noticed my steering wheel is angled slightly to the left when driving straight down the road now. The car does pull a little to the left.

2) I then noticed that my car would hydroplane like crazy in the rain. Literally feels like Im driving on ice. So I looked at my tires and saw that both outter edges were worn out, but the center of the tread was fine. I immediately thought that they were under inflated, but I had 40psi in them. So I then rotated my tires. And now after 2 weeks the car is no different and the tires are worn out just the same.

3)I also noticed that when driving down the road at highway speeds, every time I hit a bump the wheel wants to jerk out of my hand to the left.

4)Then driving through corner it seems to do the same thing regardless of which kind of turn I make (right/left). For example, if I take a right hand corner, the wheel wants to jerk right, while the car wants to go left, but only through the center of the corner, and I dont go fast by any means through the corner, because of this issue. And its just the opposite for a left hand corner.

5) When Im going slow and making a turn, (such a turning into my driveway), regardless of which way I turn the tires make a slight squeak, repeatably.
6) Lastly, the front end of the car makes a clapping noise every time I hit a bump, Im guessing those are the ball joints being worn out?

after talking to a few people, they suggested that it sounds like the car is dog legging. I was just wondering if anyone can help me out as to what could be the problem and how do I fix it. Thanks

 

1.check your tie rods.
2.tires operate at different pressure ranges. seems to be under inflated regardless of the pressure.
3.see #1
4.see #1
5.see #2 plus the tire tread trying to grab the pavement could be making that noise.
6.clapping noise would seem to mean like you said play with the ball joints/bushings/other parts tapping/hitting each other.

i would get the car up on jackstands and visually check and check movement of all steering/suspension components.

 

also you say dog legging????

you mean by lifting a rear wheel or driving crooked down the road? if option two then you alignment is way off and most call it dog tracking. hope this helps.

 

I figured by the at the very least it needed an alignment. Just not too sure if there would be something else causing these troubles. My tires say max 44 psi cold, so by having 40psi in them and to have them wearing like that doesnt seem right. I also dropped the pressure down to 32psi afterwads, thinking that they had too much pressure causing the hydroplaning, just odd with the tire wear. And yes it almost seems as though it wants to go crooked down the road. Just seems very odd, I've never drivin a car that had acted like this before. Thanks for the help guys.

 

im having similar issues with my 99 em1 also. I came off a little wreck and had to change the front lower control arm and lower ball joint.. the upper was leaking but was a little crackled...i didnt change it. i also changed out the rear left lower control arm..just the bar. I also installed some PIC apex coils...tightened them from the top all the way i beleive..im still trying to learn about them..lol.
i also have some practically new dunlop direzza dz101...the car is lowered down good and i dont have any problems slamming or hitting anything on bumps..so i think my coils are good...BUT im having those.."slow to respond" issues...could it be my tires?? i havent thought about that..i had an alginment done but it didnt fix it, it only helped..did they not do the alignment right?

 

3&4 might be excessive toe out and or toe out favoring one direction.

get back to us with

ride height at all 4 corners
toe
camber
caster

when you know those 4 we can help more


btw, if you have ANY worn out suspension parts they need to be replaced asap

 

I just ordered a set of new replacement ball joints for the omni camber arms because the boots are torn, so Im thinking those could be worn out causing the clapping. Once I do that Im gonna inspect the tie rod ends and replace them if needed. Then have a 4 wheel alignment. Hopefully thats all I'll have to replace, dont exactly want to put anymore money into this car...

 

screw the omni front upper arms. the joints are garbage. OEM will be better and you dont have to worry about the joints sliding or hitting the body. sounds like you need an alignment.

 

I had a similar problem on my Em-1 and it turned out to be bad trailing arm bushings. I got new trailing arm bushings and then an alignment. I am sure if you went to get the car aligned they will be able to pinpoint the problem!

 

Once i get the ball joints in, Im gonna bring up to be aligned and if there is anything that needs to be replaced then I will go from there. The trailing arms dont look too bad, some small cracks but they dont look torn.

 

Would you mind telling me where you got the replacement ball joints for the Omni camber arms? I cant find any for the life of me. Good luck with the issue...

 

kingmotorsports.com they are $25 each plus shipping

 

Usually more so an issue with rear wheel drive cars though, but you did hit it dead on the head, I haven't heard that term in years.

http://books.google.com/books?id=KKj...0drive&f=false

 

got an appointment for this tuesday (earliest I could get) at a reputable alignment shop. Gonna have them check it out and align it. Hopefully its not something major that needs to be replaced. Thanks for the help guys