1996 Geo Prizm car jerks when turning left and accelerating

Tiny
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  • 1996 GEO PRIZM
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 148,000 MILES
Only shakes in left turns and only if I am accelerating if I take my foot off the gas and coast the turn there is no shake
(feels like it wants to go but somethings stopping it and its more like short jerks every half second or so than a shake )
i have changed the control arm as the rear bushing was bad but this didnt resolve the problem.
im leaning toward cv joint or trans axle as it only happens when im accelerating
i would imagine if it was the tie rod id feel something in the steering or it would happen whether im accelerating or not
and the same for ball joint (which I didnt change with the control arm )
my real question is how could I rule out cv joint or if I inspected it what should I be looking for
if it turns out not to be the cv joint id take it in for the transaxle to be looked at.


i have done most of what you suggested except checking the fluid and seals everything else checks out tho (this is why its driving me nuts lol)
thanks for the assist
Wednesday, August 5th, 2009 AT 4:31 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,549 POSTS
Raise car, put on stands. Grasp tire and push/pull both horizontally and vertically, if any movement then possible wheel bearing, ball joint, tie rod, control arm bushing.

Check CV boots for any signs of leakage or cuts/rips in rubber boot.

Also check the fluid level in differential and any leaks at the axle seals.
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Thursday, August 6th, 2009 AT 8:12 AM
Tiny
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Jacked it up and did the push pull no movement up and down or side to side.
No leaks at the axels
CV halfshaft and boots are new but checked and theyre fine no tears no leaks
transmission fluid level fine a little faded but no metals or debris doesnt smell burnt either.

I did notice a little grease had come out of the ball joint connecting the control arm to the wheel hub!
Could this be the cause as doubt I could put enough pressure by pushing and pulling horizontally or vertically to replicate a turn at 35 - 45 mph which is when it happens.
I have also noticed she pulls to the right a little more than usual.

And thank you for the fast response
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Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010 AT 4:16 PM
Tiny
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Severely worn control arm bushing that was hidden when the car was jacked up (has a horizontal bushing)
jacked it up from the control arm (which my "factory service manual" says not to do, but I did because ive been trying to find this problem for two years)
i could see the top of the bushing was tearing felt it and it's nearly completely worn away on one side.
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Thursday, August 5th, 2010 AT 3:59 PM
Tiny
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Great news, thanks for using 2carpros.
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Friday, August 6th, 2010 AT 7:20 AM

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