Front suspension when Backing out of parking space

[JDwhite98gt]

This has been happening for some time now:
I am backing out of a parking spot. While backing out i turn my wheel to the left almost to full lock. I let the car roll a few inches and the front wont make a sound but feels as though it "pops" and gives a sensation of sliding on ice. This happens on dry pavement mind you. Nothing happens to my steering wheel, I feel it throught the floor board.

Do not know if it is associated with the problem above, but when I am driving and the road is slanted to one side or the other or uneven pavement, I have to hold my steerig wheel in the opposite direction of the bump/slant. Sometimes I will have to physically bring the steering wheel back to the center position after returning to smooth pavement. I know what bumpsteer is and tramling but this seems very excessive like a bad balljoint or maybe shot bushings? I have no physical play in my front wheels but I wonder if this is a problem that Handz has solved switching to HD heim joints in his UPR bumpsteerkit. I cannot see anything out of the ordinary in my front suspension and my most recent repair has been new OEM rack bushings thinking it may have been a problem, but they solved nothing. Also on hard cornering the car feels as though it is rolling over the tires and is very "walowy" like a cadilac.

Suspension Mods:
Ford C Springs-No upper or lower isos front and rear(been on 2 cars had them for over 5 years) maybe worn out? Car rides like a brick.
Tokkiko(sp?) Blues-one year old maybe 15K miles
MM Caster camber plates(last aligned to MM specs but in need of a new alignment)
UPR Bumpsteer kit
New OEM rack bushings (5K miles ago)
Hankook Ventus Evo K112's 275/35/18 in front
Everything else is OEM@ 170K miles

 

[badass96gt]

Im betting its the ball joints. Mines doing the same thing and I just got new ball joints to put in soon as well as a full chassis urethane bushing kit.

 

[piperpilotduane]

LCA bushings. They will POP if they get worn out. or 2nd the ball joint. Both would not show play with a 200 pound man pulling on them, But a 3000 pound car can force the issue.

 

[BruhBrahBrad]

I just installed some Eibach Prokits with no Isos, and they do that too...Didnt have that problem before the spring install. Well they do the pop noise but not really the countersteering thing.

 

[JDwhite98gt]

Yea its kind of hard to explain....its not a noise but a feeling. Its more like feeling the actual wheel jerk like I just backed over ice. Last time I had an alignment the tech said that the front drivers side ca bushings were distorted, car felt great so didnt pay much attention. The repair list keeps growing and growing............I just love this car.

 

[97GT4.6]

I can relate to that 100%.. my 97 gt just rolled over 180k, and mine does the same thing with the popping sound backing up and turning.. I'm thinking of getting all new bushings, a whole new steering rack, ball joints etc and maybe it will help with the problems that i'm having..

Ps, love your car jdwhite.. it has a lot in common with mine except yours has nicer wheels

 

[JDwhite98gt]

Hey man thanks, but they are far from good...they are trashed lol. Same to you though. I really rather not replace everything, I just want to know exactly what is causing the problems I'm having and replace with OE parts and not upgrade anymore. All of my problems started happening when I so called "Upgraded" the parts lol.

 

[vermilion]

check your rack and tie rod ends(bumpsteer to spindle) again.

 

[JDwhite98gt]

What should I be checking on the rack? Also when I replaced rack bushings in the summer I never torqued them to spec...how tight should they be?

 

[Slykin]

I still think it's the balljoints.. I had the same problem with our Fairlane, replaced them and the "popping" went away. I would think there would be squeaking though.

 

[vermilion]

the nut backs off a little if not loctite

 

[daves94vert]

i'd guess ball joints too.could also be your rack.

 

[SRT Handz]

This clunk is common and i have replaced EVERY suspension piece and i still get it once in a while.... Kinda odd.

 

[JDwhite98gt]

yeah it kind of feels like something is binding in the front. I would say balljoints too but i dont have any other problems or play. One problem I do have is the bumpsteer kit, I can never get the nut to spindle tight enough. I'll tighten it then a few weeks later I'll see up to an 1/8 in space again.

 

[tnmloudenuf]

??? your car looks pretty low. i have the same problem with every car i have lowered. i would have to say lowering throws everything out of wack! good luck to you! hope you figure it out, cuz i need the answer too lol!

 

[JDwhite98gt]

Do you have a bumpsteer kit and cc plates?