Possibly need a new alignment?

[69LS1]

Hey guys,

I was wondering if i could maybe get a little insight on if there is anything else that could cause the following problem...

I have been working on a 97 trans am that i bought, (before i do any intros with it) and the steering is very discomforting. I checked the wheels and the tie rods were worn so i replaced them. and the wheel assembly is solid with no play in it.

Now when i drive, the car accelerates nicely, but it will pull to the left and then all of a sudden pull to the right, and go back and forth as i drive. It feels as though i have very little control of the car. :/ Would this still be an alignment issue? I have never dealt with an alignment this bad before, thanks for any insight. Hope that's all it is haha.

[CHEESE]

After the steering parts were replaced did you have the car aligned?

[69LS1]

no not yet, i figured it would pull one way or the other since i haven't had it aligned after the new tie rods, but the back and forth is what has me confused. :/

[69LS1]

well... had the car aligned and they said the wheels were toed out a bit, but it is still pulling back and forth. Almost like a floating feeling. Guessing it's bad shocks. What would be a good replacement brand that aren't outrageously priced? Thanks

[SOPES]

well... had the car aligned and they said the wheels were toed out a bit, but it is still pulling back and forth. Almost like a floating feeling. Guessing it's bad shocks. What would be a good replacement brand that aren't outrageously priced? Thanks

Before you even do that. Rotate the tires, because if the tires were drove on for a while with the worn out parts it will cause them to pull oddly, try that before tossing any more parts at it

[SOPES]

Also they should set the tire pressures when they align it but double check those as well

[SOPES]

And the hubs dont have any play ? none of the calipers are sticking ? struts are fully torqued down ? bearing plates moving freely ? all rear axle componants are torqued ? Sorry just been sitting here thinking about it, Im watching disney channel with the little one and the wife is out so Its been thinking time lol

[1BADAIR]

big 17's with follow the road. what did they set your caster to?

[69LS1]

Thanks mike for the input during your thinking time haha. I actually just put some ws6 rims on with newer tires so they should be okay. The old tires were junk. and everything is solid. no play in the hubs or components. I will have to check the bearing plates and double check tire pressure. Calipers are good. Rear end is tight. But like i said I'll double check those other parts.

[69LS1]

big 17's with follow the road. what did they set your caster to?

I am actually not sure what they set it to :/ which sadly is ignorance on my part. The car is basically stock so i believe they just checked to make sure it was in the correct tolerance.

[69LS1]

It is weird because it randomly shifts. Almost like I am floating....

But what I did notice on a test drive I took, was that it is solid on smooth pavement. When i hit a few bumps, next thing i know i am fighting to stay in the lane. Not a very fun drive

[1BADAIR]

check the the rear bushing on the front control arms

[mazakman]

Sounds like the rack maybe going bad. Just had these same issues with a different car and it was the rack and Pinon

[camaro42]

I had a broken sway bar and like you said, fine on smooth pavement but hitting a few bumps made the car "float" one way or the other. You could check to see if the sway bar is snapped, usually happens right where it connects at back of the wheel.

[69LS1]

Sorry about not getting back to you guys sooner. I am going to list out all the different suggestions and check in to them tomorrow morning. I just got home from camping this weekend and haven't had a chance to investigate. I definitely appreciate the input from everyone and will be reporting back with what I come up with.