Front End Issue?

[JamaicaJoe]

Just these past weeks, whenever backing out of my long driveway onto the street I get a "bump" feeling while straightening out.

When I back out, the rear of my car is normally steered to the right about 20 degrees or so , 5 O'clock position. I then go forward and steer to the left , about 90 degrees , 9 O'clock position. During the transition I feel a bump sensation like the left front tire is loose. I have no other noises or vibration. So far only this maneuver creates this.

Thoughts? Ball joints, wheel bearing?

 

[Hamfisted]

You're talking about the 2013 Expy right ? How do the dust boots look on the front lower ball joints ? If they're torn or ripped it's time to replace 'em. But you can have an alignment shop look the suspension over and give you a better opinion. Tell them what you're hearing, and let them test drive it for themselves to evaluate the noise. But it wouldn't surprise me at all if the front lower ball joints need replacing. Replace them with some greaseable ones, like the Moogs or something.


Moog Serviceable Lower Ball Joints at Rock Auto






.

 

[JamaicaJoe]

Yeah it is the 2013 doing this. Not very repeatable ( I tried yesterday several times) so I am going to have to get it to the shop to have them look. I put all new on the 2001 at around 95K moog with zerks.

 

[eddytheexpy]

So what if you removed the steering aspect from the situation?

Try this: park somewhere with a straight-a-way that you can go forwards and reverse without messing with the steering. Come back the next day after everything is nice and cold, reverse straight for 20ft and then put it in drive and go straight forward. If you feel the bump when you give it gas in drive, then it's 95% sure to be your U-joints.

Since you're changing gears from reverse to forwards but steering during that transition you've got 2 variables in play. Doing the above test isolates your driveline. If it's ruled out, then it's likely in the steering system somewhere which has much more common culprits that can produce a bump, but it sounds like shifting from reverse to drive is associated to this bump which is a hallmark of a bad U-joint.

Also, I suggested you do this entirely cold because you said it wasn't very repeatable so it sounds like you only get the symptom the first time around. This will most closely recreate the conditions I assume you have when experiencing the bump.

good luck and let us know what shakes out!

 

[JamaicaJoe]

I will give it a try. I also suspect that the caliper may be hanging up in that corner and perhaps causing a clunk when releasing. I have had a few quirky problems that have all come and gone. Weird..