Random drastic sway from side to side?

Tiny
FRAZIER88
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 BUICK CENTURY
  • 3.1L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 195,000 MILES
Ok I've changed the tie rods inner and outer, changed the sway bar drop links in the front and back changed the sway bar bushings in the back. My car while driving down the road will randomly jerk from side to side and feels like a tire is about to come off. It's especially bad if I hit a rough patch on the driver side. Also strange is when this happens the worst I start smelling burnt transmission fluid. Also have changed the struts
Thursday, February 12th, 2026 AT 10:02 AM

11 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,671 POSTS
That description sort of sounds like a bad tri-pot joint. Those are the inner CV joints on the axle. Is it possible that the drivers side was pulled out too far during the work and lost one of the bearings from the spider? That could cause a random issue as the axle tried to retract and extend with the suspension movement. The smell could be coming from the seal that goes around the axle being forced away by the motion of the axle. You need to get it in the air and inspect the axles ASAP, before it damages the transmission case (may already be damaged).
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Thursday, February 12th, 2026 AT 2:18 PM
Tiny
FRAZIER88
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  • 54 POSTS
Okay well I went ahead and changed the driver side CV axle and upon doing so I held it from the middle and both ends just dangled dropped loosely so there was a whole bunch of slop in that axle now it pulls pretty bad to the left so obviously I need a front end alignment but now the "Service Vehicle Soon" not the "service engine soon" but the "Service Vehicle Soon" light is on as well as the "Traction Off" light and the "Anti-lock Brake" light is on. I know longer smell the transmission fluid when I test drove it so at least that's a good thing. All I did when changing the axle was remove the outer tie rod castle nut to lift it out the way and the 2 bolts on the strut and obviously the axle nut. Then put it all back together. So what would make all those lights suddenly come on?
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Thursday, February 12th, 2026 AT 10:36 PM
Tiny
FRAZIER88
  • MEMBER
  • 54 POSTS
These lights
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Thursday, February 12th, 2026 AT 10:39 PM
Tiny
FRAZIER88
  • MEMBER
  • 54 POSTS
First was upside down lol
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Thursday, February 12th, 2026 AT 10:42 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,671 POSTS
Check the cable that goes to the speed sensor on the hub. If it was stretched or even moved a lot it may have broken internally.
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Friday, February 13th, 2026 AT 3:20 AM
Tiny
FRAZIER88
  • MEMBER
  • 54 POSTS
Ok now if I make a right turn and hear clicking its the left axle right? I just changed the left axle and the swaying stopped but now I hear that clicking when I make a right hand turn. I literally only had to remove the tie rod end and 2 bolts on the strut to wheel cylinder then the axle nut. So how did I mess this up?
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Saturday, February 14th, 2026 AT 12:32 PM
Tiny
FRAZIER88
  • MEMBER
  • 54 POSTS
Should there be a little play in the transmission like this? It's not much but just curious?
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Saturday, February 14th, 2026 AT 1:01 PM
Tiny
FRAZIER88
  • MEMBER
  • 54 POSTS
Only thing left I either haven't changed or doesn't appear bad
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Saturday, February 14th, 2026 AT 1:03 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,671 POSTS
The rocking is normal. There has to be some clearance so that as the parts warm up and move they can move freely. Clicking while turning is commonly the outer joint on the axle, but it can be either side humming from a bad bearing can switch sides, clicking usually doesn't. A simple test, jack up the front of the car so both sides are off the ground. Start the car and turn the wheel so you hear the clicking, have someone listen to each side. I do this test alone but I lock one tire from turning to test the other side. If you didn't have clicking before it's possible you got a bad replacement, not an uncommon thing these days.
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Saturday, February 14th, 2026 AT 6:20 PM
Tiny
FRAZIER88
  • MEMBER
  • 54 POSTS
Ok here is a problem. It clicks either way I turn the wheel. Driver side where I just replaced the axle. Either direction I turn the wheel it clicks. Did I get a faulty axle?
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Friday, February 20th, 2026 AT 2:22 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,671 POSTS
If it's clicking on the side you just replaced then you got a bad axle or something is hitting. Normally an axle click will be faster than if something were hitting though. So rapid clicking at low speed points to the axle, a click every time the tire rotates once would point more at something like the backing plate hitting a wheel or rusted spot on the rotor.
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Friday, February 20th, 2026 AT 4:14 PM

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