Any Mechanics in the House?

[Wyldfire]

I'm having serious car issues. I think it's either my sway bar or panhard rod. I have a 1993 Chevy Lumina Euro Sport. As I was leaving for work last night my car started fishtailing and "wobbling" like mad...for absolutely no reason at all. For the past couple of weeks there has been this strange "oinking" noise coming from my car. It seriously sounded like there was a little piglet stuck beneath my hub cap.

Clearly I'm going to have to let a mechanic take care of this problem...but I like to walk into a garage informed enough so they don't see tits and get dollar signs in their eyes. SO...any input on what this might be would be much appreciated.

 

[penkitten]

is there a knocking when it wobbles? if so it sounds more like a rod

 

[Flogger]

I change my own oil, but I'm no mechanic.

The wobbling and oinking makes it sound like a (potentially dangerous) problem with the wheel assembly. If the squeaking isn't just happening when you brake, I'd suspect bearings and/or a worn tie rod end.

 

[Wyldfire]

Originally posted by Flogger
I change my own oil, but I'm no mechanic.

The wobbling and oinking makes it sound like a (potentially dangerous) problem with the wheel assembly. If the squeaking isn't just happening when you brake, I'd suspect bearings and/or a worn tie rod end.

I know it's not the bearings or a tie rod end because I just had those replaced from the area the noise is coming from 3 months ago.

 

[Wyldfire]

Originally posted by penkitten
is there a knocking when it wobbles? if so it sounds more like a rod

There's no knocking at all. It just sort of fishtails as if I just hit an ice patch and feels like the whole ass end is going to fall to the ground.

 

[Flogger]

Originally posted by Wyldfire
I know it's not the bearings or a tie rod end because I just had those replaced from the area the noise is coming from 3 months ago.

I wouldn't surprised if the damaged tie rod end and bearings caused other problems (which could have been set in motion before the replacements).

I'll assume your treads are evenly worn and your tires have enough air.

 

[Wyldfire]

Originally posted by Flogger
I wouldn't surprised if the damaged tie rod end and bearings caused other problems (which could have been set in motion before the replacements).

I'll assume your treads are evenly worn and your tires have enough air.

Yeah, the tread is even NOW...but they were wearing uneven before I replaced the ball joints and tie rod end. My tires have enough air. The fishtailing is far too severe to be from a lack of air or tire problems. This has something to do with the rear steering or suspension...it has to with the way it is acting. I checked all the tires to make sure none had lugs loosen up. Oh..my anti lock brake light came on, too. That came on around the same time it started sounding like a piglet was behind the hubcap. I still have plenty of brake, though...and no squealing noises or any noises when I hit the brakes.

 

[Flogger]

Well, do get it checked. Something must be warped or about to break. I hope it's cheap.

 

[Flogger]

Originally posted by GodsGiftToWomen
Wyldfire although I'm not a mechanic I am good with my hands.

That's good because one of Allen's tests for a new mod is a handjob.

 

[penkitten]

what about the trac bar?
when it snows or there is ice, my car fish tails and the trac bar light comes on. once in traffic, i was almost in an accident and had to swurve outta the way to not get hit by a car coming outta the other side of the intersection after the light changed, anyhow my car kinda wobbled and the light came on and it turned out to be nothing.
if its the same kinda thing, but happening all the time, perhaps the trac bar was damaged and needs to be replaced.

do you know any guy that can go with you when you take it in?
seems to help me when i have to go if i take a guy and i dress down for it. the mechanics seem to do a better job and it doesnt cost as much.

 

[penkitten]

there is a national public radio station or npr with a car talk show hosted by two mechanics that allows you to call in and tell them your car's issues and they can tell you what they think it is.
syndicated outta boston usually played saturday in the afternoons around here.
might be helpful

 

[Wyldfire]

Originally posted by penkitten
what about the trac bar?
when it snows or there is ice, my car fish tails and the trac bar light comes on. once in traffic, i was almost in an accident and had to swurve outta the way to not get hit by a car coming outta the other side of the intersection after the light changed, anyhow my car kinda wobbled and the light came on and it turned out to be nothing.
if its the same kinda thing, but happening all the time, perhaps the trac bar was damaged and needs to be replaced.

do you know any guy that can go with you when you take it in?
seems to help me when i have to go if i take a guy and i dress down for it. the mechanics seem to do a better job and it doesnt cost as much.

Well, I've pretty much determined that it must be a suspension problem. It could be any number of things. A garage I called seemed to think it sounded like it could be the sway bar. I'll see if I can find someone who knows something about cars to take a look and see if they can tell what it is. I just figured on a site for men that there would be at least one guy who knew something about cars.

 

[penkitten]

honest i thought youd have someone replying by now

check your radio stations and see if you can find that car talk show
they let you call in on a 1800 number

 

[WastelandWarrior]

sounds like a sway bar to me

 

[Wyldfire]

Originally posted by WastelandWarrior
sounds like a sway bar to me

Are you a mechanic (or at least know enough about cars to make a good guestimate)?

If so...how much of a job is it to fix? Is it possible that the sway bar itself is okay and that it came loose or anything like that?