Car swaying problem

[m a v [3] r i c k]

Hi sifus,

Need some advice here.
Few months back, my car a Proton Wira 1.6 has encountered swaying problem.
At times the steering would pull to the left and at times will be to the right even on a straight flat road (Kesas, NPE or Federal highway).
Even on straight road the steering always has to be corrected.
I've changed rims, 4pcs brand new tyres (PS3), all rear bushing (including trailing arm is brand new), alignment but things became worse!
Front lower arm (driver's side) changed to brand new Taiwanese but only lasted 6mths (ball joint loosened). Opted for a pair of used ones from chop shop but lasted only 3 days. Now it has got the "kluk" noise whenever I accelerate. Engine mounting has been changed.
I suspect the ball joint is dead again.
What I'm curious is, what could possibly kill a ball joint so fast?
Car is stock standard to the bone except for 15" sports rims.
Any input is very much appreciated!

 

[DanzEterna]

have u changed the driveshaft?

 

[peeche]

Which side that swayed? Front or rear? If front try to check steering rack, rack end, tie rod end.

 

[vr2turbo]

Yup, steering rack especially you mentioned sometimes left, sometime right.
Any free play on your steering when turning right and left?

 

[m a v [3] r i c k]

Danz,
That's what my mechanic suggested also but I always thought if drive shaft is faulty then it will make the "klak klak klak" noise when making a u-turn? Mine got no sound at all. Drive shaft head (nearest to disk brake side) has been changed while trouble shooting this issue. Gearbox side checked by mechanic and he says its ok.

peeche,
Previously was the rear, hence change every single bush at the rear. Now I can't really feel if the rear is swaying as the front swaying is really bad. Don't dare to drive 120km/h even on straight highway. Tie rod has been changed too. Steering rack bush has been checked to see if the whole steering rack moves when car is stand still by turning steering. Steering rack doesn't move at all. Steering rack bush was also new. Where is rack end?

vr2turbo,
Surprisingly no free play at all. This is the headache part. Normally if there is free play then easier to troubleshoot.

Any idea if a faulty steering rack can kill a ball joint prematurely? Need to find out how come ball joint can koyak so fast.

 

[vr2turbo]

Rack end is the shaft connected to the steering rack. The other end connects the tie rod end.
Jack the car up and try to move the front wheel left and right. No movement means rack end okay.

 

[m a v [3] r i c k]

That was checked by mechanic...he even dismantled the wheels and disconnect the tie rod from the bracket and check the rack end if it has free play. Result is its fit and no free play. Big headache with this issue.

Could power steering pump somehow cause this issue?

 

[DanzEterna]

need to wait for our wira sifu Izso to check in.

 

[vr2turbo]

need to wait for our wira sifu Izso to check in.

Saw him in few other thread, not sure why he is not here?:hmmmm:

 

[Izso]

I have nothing to contribute. You guys have covered everything.

That kind of unexpected swaying is usually toe-in/out issue. Probably a linkage or something is gone case. Heck it's possible even the absorber kong

 

[m a v [3] r i c k]

Izso,

Exactly that feeling. Feels like 1 side of the front wheel is having "loose" toe setting. What other linkage to be checked apart from what bro vr2turbo and Danz has already mentioned?

 

[punk]

steering rack bush?

try ask someone to shake the steering wheel while u check from the engine area see got free play or not.

mine persona got free play eventhough change new bush.:hmmmm:

 

[Izso]

Izso,

Exactly that feeling. Feels like 1 side of the front wheel is having "loose" toe setting. What other linkage to be checked apart from what bro vr2turbo and Danz has already mentioned?

Personally, I'd jack up the car and check everything starting from the rims, to the arms, to the ball joints and everything. Then have someone turn the steering left to right x 10 and you just monitor and look at how everything is moving.

The other thing I'd do is after jacking up the car, try to move your wheel left right left right and see if you have free play. If you do, your driveshaft or something along the lines is gone.

 

[^pomen_GTR^]

as well as worn steering rack to..must check for steering freeplay while car on ground and engine off...

 

[vr2turbo]

as well as worn steering rack to..must check for steering freeplay while car on ground and engine off...

He mentioned all that checked already from tie rod end, rack end, steering free play etc....

Normally if sometime left and sometime right is something to so with steering...