why does my Q feel out of control on freeway!!?

[Q45dude]

94 Q45

Hello ,

I've noticed that while driving down the freeway and over any little bump specially on the turns. Need help as to what I'm looking at exchanging or tightening. We love taking road trips with my Q but wanna enjoy the ride not worry about crossing over the lane.Basically, I want it to be tighter.

Planning on getting tokico blues in a month or so, would that help?Thanks

[Q451990]

What has been done so far? If the answer is nothing - then it's time for a complete overhaul... every rubber bushing, tie rod ends, etc.

Heath

[Q45dude]

nothing,I got a set of new inner and outer tie rod ends. Are they easy to change? Which section of FSM should I refer to regarding suspension questions?

[RAP]

nothing,I got a set of new inner and outer tie rod ends. Are they easy to change? Which section of FSM should I refer to regarding suspension questions?

My paper FSM has "FA" front axle and front suspension and "RA" rear axle and rear suspension.

Tie rod ends are a snap. Refer to the FSM "ST" steering system, for guidance.

Or drive yourself to where I live and I'll watch YOU do it

Jack

[maxnix]

Sounds like you need to take your car to

wwwljerrytucker.net for a serious assessment of the deferred maintenance.

Hate to see you break down or worse on one of your trips. Unmaintained cars are responsible for many bad accidents.

How can you drive it another month if it is uncontrollable now?

[96Qowner]

I'd bet your tension rod bushings are completely shot ...

[alexander]

Are tension rod bushings the same as crossmember bushings?I was quoted about $1600.00 for the crossmember bushings.The tech showed me what's involved and it looks like quite a few hours of work.

[96Qowner]

Nope, entirely different. The TR bushings are a cheap easy rehab. Either buy new rods with bushings for a couple hundred or just press in new ones for under a hundred. They're fluid filled - should be easy to see if they're trashed just by looking at 'em and giving 'em a good squeeze.

But, yeah, as others have said, you'll want to look at everything - tie rod ends, upper links, third links/kingpins, etc.

I mentioned TR bushings because my car was bad on the highway when I first got it - the wind would push it all over the road. New TR bushings fixed that. You should also keep an eye out for one of Jeff Williams' front strut tower bars when he makes another batch - really tightens up steering response.

[Q45dude]

Thanks for all who responded. Will keep you guys posted.

[AlabamaDan]

There's a thread named "Suspension Parts for Dummies." That might be a good start, but it doesn't go into 100% of what needs to be replaced, just the more common wear items. If you do the work yourself, you're probably looking at $1000 in parts.

[Q45tech]

If you were to replace all the suspension components know to wear and eventually fail in all 4 corners you would be spending around $2,000 in discounted parts. Some of these components have a 30k life [upper links] and 60k for tension rods, the others last 100k or so before going out of spec.

Then add wheel bearings [4] and rear subframe [leaks silicone] adds another $1,000 in parts after 100k.

Professional labor is equal to or > than discounted parts cost............