89 Jetta GLi, handling wrinkle (lateral motion)

Dear all,

I have an 89 Jetta GLi, and the tie rods, front strut inserts, and strut
bearings are new, and I can't see any play when I raise the front of the
vehicle and twist a wheel - the steering wheel and other wheel seem to twist
at the same time. The car doesn't wander on the highway, and there's no
noteworthy dead spot on-center in the steering.

Around town sometimes when I make a fairly tight (or even sweeping) turn, I
get a second or so of lateral sway (which is redundant, I guess) - the
vehicle sways side-to-side for a cycle or two, about 1-2 Hz.

Any ideas what to look for, or ask the mechanic what to look for? Control
arm bushings? Tie rod ends? Steering rack play? Rear shocks?

I'm okay with the typical A2 body roll, but this sway mode is irksome.

Thanks
Theo

In article >,
Theo > wrote:
>Dear all,
>
>I have an 89 Jetta GLi, and the tie rods, front strut inserts, and strut
>bearings are new, and I can't see any play when I raise the front of the
>vehicle and twist a wheel - the steering wheel and other wheel seem to twist
>at the same time. The car doesn't wander on the highway, and there's no
>noteworthy dead spot on-center in the steering.
>
>Around town sometimes when I make a fairly tight (or even sweeping) turn, I
>get a second or so of lateral sway (which is redundant, I guess) - the
>vehicle sways side-to-side for a cycle or two, about 1-2 Hz.
>
>Any ideas what to look for, or ask the mechanic what to look for? Control
>arm bushings? Tie rod ends? Steering rack play? Rear shocks?
>
>I'm okay with the typical A2 body roll, but this sway mode is irksome.

I would check your tire pressure. That can make a night and day difference.


--
Jeeps and dubs and everything's nice...

In article >,
Theo > wrote:
>Dear all,
>
>I have an 89 Jetta GLi, and the tie rods, front strut inserts, and strut
>bearings are new, and I can't see any play when I raise the front of the
>vehicle and twist a wheel - the steering wheel and other wheel seem to twist
>at the same time. The car doesn't wander on the highway, and there's no
>noteworthy dead spot on-center in the steering.
>
>Around town sometimes when I make a fairly tight (or even sweeping) turn, I
>get a second or so of lateral sway (which is redundant, I guess) - the
>vehicle sways side-to-side for a cycle or two, about 1-2 Hz.
>
>Any ideas what to look for, or ask the mechanic what to look for? Control
>arm bushings? Tie rod ends? Steering rack play? Rear shocks?
>
>I'm okay with the typical A2 body roll, but this sway mode is irksome.

I would check your tire pressure. That can make a night and day difference.


--
Jeeps and dubs and everything's nice...

>From: "Theo"
>
>Dear all,
>
>I have an 89 Jetta GLi, and the tie rods, front strut inserts, and strut
>bearings are new, and I can't see any play when I raise the front of the
>vehicle and twist a wheel - the steering wheel and other wheel seem to twist
>at the same time. The car doesn't wander on the highway, and there's no
>noteworthy dead spot on-center in the steering.
>
>Around town sometimes when I make a fairly tight (or even sweeping) turn, I
>get a second or so of lateral sway (which is redundant, I guess) - the
>vehicle sways side-to-side for a cycle or two, about 1-2 Hz.
>
>Any ideas what to look for, or ask the mechanic what to look for? Control
>arm bushings? Tie rod ends? Steering rack play? Rear shocks?
>
>I'm okay with the typical A2 body roll, but this sway mode is irksome.
>

I handled a 94 Jetta that would give a little extra on a turn like it was
possessed.

I found a bad bolt that clamps the wheel bearing housing to the ball joint.
New bolt and nut tightened down and all is good.
Maybe a ball joint or it's bolt and nut???
Or maybe what you suspect.
And make sure the wheels are properly torqued down too! lol

later,
dave
Reminder........
Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way,
when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them, and you have their
shoes. Frieda Norris

>From: "Theo"
>
>Dear all,
>
>I have an 89 Jetta GLi, and the tie rods, front strut inserts, and strut
>bearings are new, and I can't see any play when I raise the front of the
>vehicle and twist a wheel - the steering wheel and other wheel seem to twist
>at the same time. The car doesn't wander on the highway, and there's no
>noteworthy dead spot on-center in the steering.
>
>Around town sometimes when I make a fairly tight (or even sweeping) turn, I
>get a second or so of lateral sway (which is redundant, I guess) - the
>vehicle sways side-to-side for a cycle or two, about 1-2 Hz.
>
>Any ideas what to look for, or ask the mechanic what to look for? Control
>arm bushings? Tie rod ends? Steering rack play? Rear shocks?
>
>I'm okay with the typical A2 body roll, but this sway mode is irksome.
>

I handled a 94 Jetta that would give a little extra on a turn like it was
possessed.

I found a bad bolt that clamps the wheel bearing housing to the ball joint.
New bolt and nut tightened down and all is good.
Maybe a ball joint or it's bolt and nut???
Or maybe what you suspect.
And make sure the wheels are properly torqued down too! lol

later,
dave
Reminder........
Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way,
when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them, and you have their
shoes. Frieda Norris