Front end wobble

[Coach T]

Just had the front struts and rear air shocks replaced on my 2005 Bonnie. Felt a wobble. Had the car aligned at the Pontiac dealership. Tires have just been replaced and balanced and still have the wobble feel every time I turn and accelerate. Any ideas. My regular mechanic and the dealership both say that they don't see anything wrong in the front end. There is a definite wobble. Any ideas what it may be?

[bobgto65]

Did they check the CV shafts?

[Coach T]

Don't know for sure. I was told everything looks fine on the front end.

[spoiledred94]

Might check ball joints and tie rod ends. There is a lot of hardware that gets loosened-removed when doing an alignment. Last ditch... Take it to another shop. Have them tell you what the other shop did wrong and push for compensation.

I went to a big name tire dealer for 4 tires and an alignment. I got a deal on the pkg. They couldn't do the alignment because special cam bolts were needed (BS imho). So I paid full price. And if I don't think they're out to get me the gas pumper casually forgot to give me back my card. He handed it over with the sleeziest lie in his eyes.

[MrT]

Need to check all the parts of the front end, as well as the hardware that was used with the strut and shock job. Sometimes the top nut of the front struts are not tightened correctly.

If all is fine, you may be feeling the effects of "torque steer". I had a 1991 maxima that had this problem, you would feel a wobble in the steering wheel when accerlating in a turn. This was a design problem that could not be fixed on the 1991 maxima.

Hope you get this fixed. I am planning on doing the front struts and rear air shocks on my 2002 SLE. What brand did you go with?

Thanks

[spoiledred94]

It's a phenomena of FWD cars as far as I know. It could also be your Stability System. I'd suggest they scan for ABS codes.

[ballstatefan05]

wow..I searched for this thread earlier. I posted a topic with the SAME EXACT problem. My question is, it didn't do it before the new struts, why is it doing it now?? It didn't come from the factory that way!! please help..I listed all my replacements in my topic..

[ballstatefan05]

Need to check all the parts of the front end, as well as the hardware that was used with the strut and shock job. Sometimes the top nut of the front struts are not tightened correctly.

If all is fine, you may be feeling the effects of "torque steer". I had a 1991 maxima that had this problem, you would feel a wobble in the steering wheel when accerlating in a turn. This was a design problem that could not be fixed on the 1991 maxima.

Hope you get this fixed. I am planning on doing the front struts and rear air shocks on my 2002 SLE. What brand did you go with?

Thanks

At first I went with Gabriel quick strut..made my car setup super HIGH in the front. Switched them over to Monroe quick strut..a little better on the ride height but still high. I was told the springs will settle with time..we will see I guess. All of my wobbles and shudder didn't pop up until after the new struts..I'm so aggravated!!!

[nubuilder]

I have the Monroe Quick-Struts. They settle a bit, but not as much as you'd hope. They do feel like you're driving a Buick (floating), but I can live with it since it's my DD, not a race car. If it gets too bad, I'll either find the right struts or maybe even go back to some used ones, but time will tell.

I do have the "highway death shake/wobble", but I had that before I did struts. I don't think they had any impact on the wobble for me.

[SurfingBonnedriver]

OK, just had Gabriel Quick struts (G57051) installed this weekend and alignment done. Front end rose about 1"-1.5" and now I have the aformentioned wobble when applying power from the apex off on turns. No wobble on entry, just when applying the power. Seems worse on left handers, and I can get some with straight on. This is not torque steer, but a wobble, vehicle does not pull one way or the other. Wheel bearings are Timkens, one new(left/driver) one with approx 8 mos./6K miles. Jacked up front end pulled tire top/bottom & left/right, no play noticed in either plane. Noticed prior post about front end rise, and while I do not think it should, front end rise mathmatically affects caster (known source of wobble) and should result in negative camber(lean out at top). Note, as mentioned, wobble was not there before struts were installed.

Called Gabriel tech support, have a ticket in. Noted that the G57051 was tested on a LeSabre, which theoretically, as a more luxury model, should have had a higher ride height.

Thoughts from the group?
2001 SLE - 126k miles.

[MKMike]

It could be anything from a rim that was put on slightly cocked to a part loosened for the alignment not being re-tightened to sub frame bushings being bad. (Lifting the car up may have been the final blow.)
You should be able to get a printout of the alignment readings, so you'll at least know if it was done correctly.
Even the best mechanics can make mistakes.

[DCJREDLINE]

I had the same exact problems when I replaced them on my 02 with the quick struts...went to new springs only and still had the high ride and wobble. The only way to get rid of it is to go get yourself some used springs (or re-use your old ones) on new struts. I got mine from BonnevillesUnlimited...Andrew on this forum

[SurfingBonnedriver]

Hypothesis: - Front end ride height is high because this strut also shows fitment for a Cadillac(Seville, Deville) and Olds Aurora. Hmmm, heavier car, with two extra cast iron cylinders, maybe the springs are rated for that and is jacking up the front.

I've been trolling the Nalley GM parts diagrams to see if the spring numbers are different for Buick/Pontiac/Caddy/Olds. Gabriels test fit was an 01 Lesabre, should not have had the weight differential issue as it is essentially a luxury Bonne. It is logical that the ride height on the LeSabre would be a little higher, although Gabriel indicated that on their tester, the ride height rose 4mm. They asked about the tires (215-75R15(LeSabre), 235-55R17(Bonne)) there is about .25" difference in diameter, so ride height should not have changed more than .125".

I have to hand it to them, Gabriel asked for my VIN and indicated they would build a new set for me to restore the ride height. As an engineer, I understand that will fix my issue, but does not solve this for future persons, so I would rather continue to troubleshoot to find the root cause and get them to change the manufacture process. After the left side CV is replaced, I will update the group as to whether the shudder is gone.