Hey All...

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! When I drive above 60MPH my front end seems to float around. It gets worse the faster you go. Driving on the interstate you have to stay focused on staying in your lane (not to say i usually dont) or I will sway into another lane.

I have replaced:

• Sway Bar End Links
• Radius Arm Bushings
• New upper control arms
• New lower ball joints
• Tie rod ends
• New Wheel bearings
• Have a good alingment
• New coilovers
• new tires....

I have also checked to make sure the rack and pinion is securely mounted to its brackets. I do not see any damaged bushings anywhere. I have made sure everything is tight.

I am at a loss as to where to go from here. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

83 views and no comments??? Anyone have an idea?

 

Floating sounds like bad shocks. But the front end is wandering, right? Can't keep it in the lane? Mine does that only on roads with grooved pavement but not nearly enough to wander out of the lane. If yours is doing it on smooth roads, and no worn out parts, then I'd suspect alignment, specifically toe-out. "Have a good alignment" A reputable shop? What did they set the front and rear toe to?

 

Do you have a pic of your alignment printout?

 

My bet is also on alignment and shocks.

 

If the 'float' is an up and down motion at high speeds, tighten your sway bar linkage. Mine bounced like a trampoline after replacing sway bar links. It was because when I torqued them down, the car was off the ground. When I got home, I turned them about 2 full turns (with the car on the ground). Problem solved.

Another thing you could try is going through and tightening everything 1/2 - 1 turn or so. If you have motion in the front end, something is letting it move. A properly rebuilt front end should not allow for any play or abnormal motion. Be sure to check everything while it is on the ground (if possible).

What kind of coilovers did you get? Is the car lowered? Improperly matched springs and struts can cause problems as well. Spring rate vs ride height is usually an issue when people mismatch.

Good luck and let us know what you find out!

 

Thanks for the input guys. When i say float, it is more side to side than up and down. The car is planted like a rock through the corners and at speeds less than 65 or so. I dont have a printout of my alignment but i will get another one ASAP. I just ordered new adjustable LCAs and ingalls style camber plates for the front. I have a lifetime alignment at Firestone, and the one I go to has a guy who actually knows what he is doing.

I picked up a set of Yellow Speed Racing coilovers ($650 shipped). The problem was much worse with the old shocks.

Anyways I will run the car up some ramps and tighten the sway bar end links. Same problem before the new end links though.

 

I'll answer your question with more questions....
Could a steering rack wear out and cause this type of side to side wandering?
My 04 Element with 130K wanders terribly. I've replaced lots of parts, tried different tires, several alignments. Steering also does not return to center like it should. If my last turn was right, it will pull to the right slightly. ...left, it will pull left. They are new monroe struts, and bearing plates on top the struts. I think I might replace the bearing plates with honda parts to make sure the pivot moves freely as it should. I don't think the Caster is adjustable on the Element, so any extra friction is likely a problem.

 

Are you sure it's not tramlining this can because caused by tires and alignment

 

I replaced the inner tie rods and the problem improved dramtically. Go figure the last part I replaced would fix it.

 

Glad you solved the issue and updated your thread

 

The problem is back. I dont know what the problems could be. I am going to check all the bushings... unless anyone else has an idea.

 

replace the whole rack?

 

Yeah that is what I am leaning to. But those things are $300 and sort of a pain to replace. I was hoping it was a bushing. I dont want to spend the time and the money and still not fix it you know? Sooo... any other suggestions I would be so happae!

 

yea, check the steering rack bushings to the crossmember... maybe that's just loose since you already replaced the inner tie rods and the outer tie rods

good luck!

 

Can you post what brand of items you bought?

Some of the aftermarket and remanufactured stuff can be absolute garbage.

 

well, heck! go to that guy & essplain' what's going on! we can't visually inspect your car to give you a definitive answer, but HE CAN!