We have a 1989 mercury tracer (mazda 323-- but with hatchback mexican body and ford logo) with 71,000 miles.
We put a lot of work into it last November: new rear springs, new shocks all the way around, alignment (front end is still solid), wheel bearings all the way around, brake lines, front calipers, rear wheel cylinders, parking brake cables were alternating rusted through in 2 places and rusted together in 2 other places (replaced entirely).
I have only recently started driving it very much myself, so I cannot tell you whether this was always the case, or recently began, or began after the work in November. My sister tells me it began a month ago (well after the work, and recently).
I drove it 900 miles immediately before and after the work in November, and don't specifically remember anything like this.
When driving on concrete --not asphalt-- especially with the coarser lines scored into the pavement, at say 50-80mph, the car will start a harmonic oscillation. It will rock side to side in a consistent and cyclical fashion, that's irritating, and at worst, detracts from driver control. It is not wind-related.
Is this just life with a small, light weight car at high way speeds?
The shocks are new. There's no discernible front end play. What can cause this?
Is this at all in line with tire balance? (a wheel weight fell off?)
Or... it's not impossible and there's reason to fear it... if one of the nuts on one of the front shocks that holds the macpherson strut together at the top has some lash or has backed off, would it manifest in this way?
Other thoughts?
-Bernard
We put a lot of work into it last November: new rear springs, new shocks all the way around, alignment (front end is still solid), wheel bearings all the way around, brake lines, front calipers, rear wheel cylinders, parking brake cables were alternating rusted through in 2 places and rusted together in 2 other places (replaced entirely).
I have only recently started driving it very much myself, so I cannot tell you whether this was always the case, or recently began, or began after the work in November. My sister tells me it began a month ago (well after the work, and recently).
I drove it 900 miles immediately before and after the work in November, and don't specifically remember anything like this.
When driving on concrete --not asphalt-- especially with the coarser lines scored into the pavement, at say 50-80mph, the car will start a harmonic oscillation. It will rock side to side in a consistent and cyclical fashion, that's irritating, and at worst, detracts from driver control. It is not wind-related.
Is this just life with a small, light weight car at high way speeds?
The shocks are new. There's no discernible front end play. What can cause this?
Is this at all in line with tire balance? (a wheel weight fell off?)
Or... it's not impossible and there's reason to fear it... if one of the nuts on one of the front shocks that holds the macpherson strut together at the top has some lash or has backed off, would it manifest in this way?
Other thoughts?
-Bernard