I noticed starting last week that my car does not handle the same, when I go over bump on the road or even semi smooth surfaces the car rocks from side to side. Also when your making turns it feels as if the whole back of the car is swaying and when you go over uneven roads the steering wheel has a mind of it's own over bumps. At first I thought it was the tires but now I am thinking it is something else. Anyone has any ideas......thanks a lot guys.

 

Take a peak under the car and see if anything looks broken or not attached. As for the steering wheel having a mind of its own...my car is the same way. I think it is the tires and maybe the stiffer suspension and lowering springs on my car have had some effect on it.

 

ok cool, the car rocking from side to side just started around last week and i didn't pay any attention to it until the past couple of days.

 

do you guys think that bad bushings can cause this

 

It is new struts time.

 

Would the struts cause the side to side movement or the steering wheel problem? My struts are less than a year old. I've always tested my shocks/struts by pushing down on the front/rear of the car and if it bounces up and stays, then they are good.

 

i don't think it's the struts,when i am on the high it only dips once into a hole and keeps on going.

 

My struts lasted 45k.

 

how do you know if your struts are bad?

would that cause the car to hit the road uneven, that is the problem i am having.

it feels as if your in a boat

 

if you're experiencing an up and down / wobble - floating sensation, it's definitely your struts. for example, you hit a bump and your car still wobbles up and down / side to side after passing over the bump. Then the "waviness" dies out up until you hit that next bump. "waviness" more noticeable while driving at highway speeds.

The sway can also be from bad struts, a loose sway bar, and/or weak sidewalls on your tires.

 

I agree 100%.

My factory struts lasted only about 45K - just had them replaced (along with springs) about 3 weeks ago. The only way I figured out they were dead was the almost new TL-S loaner (with 5K) I had been given at my 45K service - it felt 100x better in terms of suspension control than my car.

 

from what your describing its the struts.

 

Chris, do you know what would cause the steering wheel to turn when I hit uneven road. For example, I am driving down a road where the sides(where most cars tires meet the road) are lower than the center and if I go to switch lanes, the wheel seems to turn itself. The ride is firm and the I don't have the boat feeling, just wondering if the steering wheel thing is normal or not. Thanks.

 

ok if my strust were bad wouldn't the car bob up and down, and keep doing that while i drive, the ride quality is solid on the road even over bumps, but you feel a little wobble from side to side when you drive as if the car was not hitting the road even....could that still be struts.

 

our cars are heavy and comes with high spring rate, bad struts cause poor response, it is not always the case that the car has to bounce up and down constantly. with the high spring rate, it is hard to tell when bounce testing it. try to test a different tl and you can tell. In your case more likely it is struts problem.

 

Bump.

Besides the strut response, has anyone come up with the answer to this problem. I have the same issue and replcing the struts didn't solve it.

The car bounces left/right as opposed to up/down or front/back. And my steering will take off to the left or right even if the wheel is held straight. Its really evident at highway speeds, but happens at 30 mph too.

This is a list of the work I have had done that has not solved the problem:

New tires (plus tires are wearing out pretty fast due to this). This problem has been on both Yokohamas and Michelin Pilot A/S Sports.
Replaced front wheel bearings
New struts
Alignment done 4 weeks ago
Tires balanced
Tires rotated
Tie rods inspected
Power steering inspected
Brake pad/rotor rubbing not occurring

I am at a complete loss and have no idea what it could be anymore. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.