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Suspension Problem my olds sways

Tiny
MILLS22
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 OLDSMOBILE CIERA
  • 72,000 MILES
I got this car a couple of months ago. The rear of my car sways from side to side when I go over any bump. Its worse when there are people sitting in the back seat. I checked the bushings, they seem tight. I put new tires on the car 3,000 miles ago and the outer tread is gone(the inner is still fine) I replaced the shocks I thought that would help, but its still swaying. The worse is if I go over a patch of ice, it fishtails really bad. The speed I am going doesn't change anything. Its seems that the car rides very high is there a way to adjust that? Please help its getting scary.
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Monday, February 6th, 2012 AT 5:11 PM

14 Replies

Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Definately something wrong with youer rear suspension. Possibly bent rear hub/axle assembly?
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Monday, February 6th, 2012 AT 5:29 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
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Measure across tires on front and backside using same tread channel to see if it measures the same.
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Monday, February 6th, 2012 AT 5:43 PM
Tiny
MILLS22
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
I measured and the front is ruffly two inches wider than the back.
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Monday, February 6th, 2012 AT 7:19 PM
Tiny
CADIEMAN
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  • 3,544 POSTS
If the front tires are wearing you need to have them reset the toe. They will make sure no other parts are needed when they set the tow. Beleive me theyll check the front and rear suspension. Because thats there job to sell you extra parts that you may not even need. They put your car on a rack and check all the componites to see if their lose. Then they will show you all the bad lose parts. Did you buy cheap shocks?They may be leaking or not operating properly. Dont do any work till you talk to us. Take it to shop where the shocks were installed to have them checked.
I us to have a cutlass supreme like this and I put a good set of shocks on it was like night and day the body tracked purfitly. Ty for using 2carpros
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Tuesday, February 7th, 2012 AT 7:26 AM
Tiny
MILLS22
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
Its the back tires that are wearing out. The front tires are in great shape. It seems to me that the back tires are on slant. And someone pointed out to me that the car is very high in the back. As for the shocks, I had the same issue before I replaced them. I thought it would solve the problem so I replaced them.
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Tuesday, February 7th, 2012 AT 2:43 PM
Tiny
CADIEMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,544 POSTS
Does it have level ride?I dont think so. If the tires are wearing that bad. Some thing is wrong with the rear craddle call a salvage yard and find out how much 1 is minis the tires and drums.2 bolts holds it on. Then remove the brake lines and the connecting arms. Then u can swap your shocks over. That will give you a new rearend. You can swap all your break hardware.
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Tuesday, February 7th, 2012 AT 8:50 PM
Tiny
MILLS22
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
Now that you mention it, it does the rear of the car is not level. The left side is a little lower than the right. Do you think a wheel alignment can solve this issue? (It would be cheaper then replacing the rear cradle.)
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Wednesday, February 8th, 2012 AT 4:33 PM
Tiny
CADIEMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,544 POSTS
When I was cadie they did rearend alignments. But there are limited adjustments and none for camber which you need to make the tire sit flush.I have never heard of the rear wheels wearing on the outer tire edge. My be u installed the wrong shocks. Measure from the body to the ground they should almost the same. Call the dealer and see if they do rearend alignment and the price. Then call around to tire and alignment shops for prices. They may find a damaged part u can replace then check the rear alignment. Ty for using 2carpros
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Wednesday, February 8th, 2012 AT 6:23 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
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Based on replies I think rear cradle/axle as you call it is bent from hard curb kiss. This would account for toe and camber issues. Should not be that expensive from salvage yard. You could post some pics from diff angles so we could verify?
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Wednesday, February 8th, 2012 AT 7:27 PM
Tiny
MILLS22
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
You guys are good. I just brought it to my friends auto repair instructor he said my axle/cradle is badly bent. Thanks A Lot!
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Tuesday, February 14th, 2012 AT 12:37 PM
Tiny
MILLS22
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
I found one in a salvage yard not to far. How big of a job is it? You make it sound simple, how long should it take to replace the axle?
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Wednesday, February 15th, 2012 AT 4:37 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
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See what they want with brakes and drums? Some places are lazy/generous and just include more stuff unless you ask for less.
Here's diagram.
Image (Click to make bigger)
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Thursday, February 16th, 2012 AT 1:39 AM
Tiny
MILLS22
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
Thanks I had a hard time getting the bar with the hubs, but I found a place near me that wants $150 just for the axle. I have a friend that's wiling to put it in for $150. So the job will start at $300 and then I am sure there will be some extras here and there.
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Friday, February 17th, 2012 AT 3:24 AM
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Tell your friend to check the coil springs in the rear. It sounds like one or both has something wedged in them, causing the rear to ride high.
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Sunday, February 19th, 2012 AT 3:26 AM

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