dnewton3
Staff member
I make it a point to drive my wife's car every once in a while, because other than catching on fire in front of her, she'd never know if something was "wrong". Case in point ...
The other week, we decide to take her car on a longer drive, which included some highway speeds through construction zones. Upon entering the uneven and rough pavement, the car literally starts "dog-walking" the rear end a tad bit sideways, and the more it hits the bumps/whoops/holes, the more it wants to scoot over. It's not horrendous, but it's noticable for sure, and the longer sections literally require some steering correction. The car feels a bit loosey-goosey. I won't call it dangerous, but it's very unnerving.
- I glace over at wifey as I'm driving and say "Geeeeeezzzz ... how long has it be doing this?"
- "Doing what?"
- (sigh ... ) "Nevermind."
We get home and I immediately put the rear end up on jack stands and pull the wheels.
Left side; wheel bearing is tight and no loose bolts or broken parts I can see.
Right side; bearing is tight, no loose bolts or broken parts, but oil dripping down the shock and there's oil all over the immediate area.
Aha! Blown shock causing some serious compression/rebound issues. Because it's a standard Fusion, parts are in stock everywhere. I get a couple of KYB replacements and have them bolted in within an hour of returning home.
I take the car out for the same drive, and it's like a brand new car. Tight, responsive and no undue movements over the rough stuff.
It's amazing how well even the average modern car drives when things are "right and tight".
The other week, we decide to take her car on a longer drive, which included some highway speeds through construction zones. Upon entering the uneven and rough pavement, the car literally starts "dog-walking" the rear end a tad bit sideways, and the more it hits the bumps/whoops/holes, the more it wants to scoot over. It's not horrendous, but it's noticable for sure, and the longer sections literally require some steering correction. The car feels a bit loosey-goosey. I won't call it dangerous, but it's very unnerving.
- I glace over at wifey as I'm driving and say "Geeeeeezzzz ... how long has it be doing this?"
- "Doing what?"
- (sigh ... ) "Nevermind."
We get home and I immediately put the rear end up on jack stands and pull the wheels.
Left side; wheel bearing is tight and no loose bolts or broken parts I can see.
Right side; bearing is tight, no loose bolts or broken parts, but oil dripping down the shock and there's oil all over the immediate area.
Aha! Blown shock causing some serious compression/rebound issues. Because it's a standard Fusion, parts are in stock everywhere. I get a couple of KYB replacements and have them bolted in within an hour of returning home.
I take the car out for the same drive, and it's like a brand new car. Tight, responsive and no undue movements over the rough stuff.
It's amazing how well even the average modern car drives when things are "right and tight".
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