a175
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- Lake Charles, LA
This is the first time I've ever dealt with this problem on a vehicle before, so I'll to my best to explain what might be going on.
I was on the way to pick up a new lower radiator hose and new water pump (just in case), and I noticed that something just didn't feel right at all. There was a little wobble and the steering wheel seemed to pull a bit, especially after a bump. Then the noises started. Loud pops and bangs, a steady "whump whump whump" that increased/decreased with speed, squealing, screeching, and grinding. I parked it at the auto parts shop, checked and filled the fluid in the rear pumpkin, changed the hose, tightened a couple nuts and bolts, and had one of the guys give it a whirl around the parking lot to see what he thought. He's a race car driver, and his sponsor was there also. Even the sponsor took it for a spin, parked it, and said he'd follow me home but to stay slow. Then he showed me what the issue was.
(I apologize for non-technical terms)
All pics are driver's side front. In the pic with my hand, the part I'm touching can move freely with little pressure. The pitman arm wobbles while turning as well. Pretty much every connection between rods that I can find is loose, and all the rubber washers are in bad shape.
On the way home (15-25mph for 4.4 miles), the noises continued, and the brake pedal was far too easy to depress. At one turn, the pedal went all the way to the floor and the brake light came on. It stayed on for a bit, but worked again just in time to stop in the driveway and not crash through the garage.
As it's labor day weekend, I know getting parts and someone with knowledge/tools to fix this won't be easy. However, this is my daily (only) driver. My parents have offered to drive me around as much as their schedules will allow, but I would like to get this back on the road ASAP. There is a member that offered a very very fair deal, but it's more than I can afford and more parts than I need. From what I've gathered, I need tie rod end, pivot arm, drag link, sway bar, and who knows what else. I really don't know all this stuff, so I'm in a bind. I'm not exactly financially secure, and not sure what to do.
Any assistance and help is very appreciated.
I was on the way to pick up a new lower radiator hose and new water pump (just in case), and I noticed that something just didn't feel right at all. There was a little wobble and the steering wheel seemed to pull a bit, especially after a bump. Then the noises started. Loud pops and bangs, a steady "whump whump whump" that increased/decreased with speed, squealing, screeching, and grinding. I parked it at the auto parts shop, checked and filled the fluid in the rear pumpkin, changed the hose, tightened a couple nuts and bolts, and had one of the guys give it a whirl around the parking lot to see what he thought. He's a race car driver, and his sponsor was there also. Even the sponsor took it for a spin, parked it, and said he'd follow me home but to stay slow. Then he showed me what the issue was.
(I apologize for non-technical terms)
All pics are driver's side front. In the pic with my hand, the part I'm touching can move freely with little pressure. The pitman arm wobbles while turning as well. Pretty much every connection between rods that I can find is loose, and all the rubber washers are in bad shape.
On the way home (15-25mph for 4.4 miles), the noises continued, and the brake pedal was far too easy to depress. At one turn, the pedal went all the way to the floor and the brake light came on. It stayed on for a bit, but worked again just in time to stop in the driveway and not crash through the garage.
As it's labor day weekend, I know getting parts and someone with knowledge/tools to fix this won't be easy. However, this is my daily (only) driver. My parents have offered to drive me around as much as their schedules will allow, but I would like to get this back on the road ASAP. There is a member that offered a very very fair deal, but it's more than I can afford and more parts than I need. From what I've gathered, I need tie rod end, pivot arm, drag link, sway bar, and who knows what else. I really don't know all this stuff, so I'm in a bind. I'm not exactly financially secure, and not sure what to do.
Any assistance and help is very appreciated.
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