Think I have a frontend driveline issue...?

P

provels

Member
Location
Crystal Lake, IL
Car
2003 FX35
Hello. With 212K miles, I think we may be nearing the end of the road. Over the past months, I have developed an issue that first appeared on a right hand expressway on-ramp I travelled daily. Seems that is I got to a certain point in the turn at about 40 and turned the wheel a bit more, I would get a lateral shifting almost like the front geometry was changing. Pulled the wheels and nothing loose anywhere. Tie rod ends nearly new. Was wondering if I had bad CV's, something wrong in the transfer case, or maybe a logic problem in the VDC or ABS. Lately, I'm leaning towards CV joints, as when I take off turning right from a stop, I feel something *sort* of like slippage on pavement or axle tramp. Any clues? Thanks for reading and appreciate any thoughts.
Peder
 
Thanks for the reply. AWD, but not locked. VDC on, but seems to be same with it off. It feels similar to having one wheel on snow/ice where it slips/grabs/slips but clears up once I'm back driving straight. First time I noticed it was on that on-ramp, like someone had blown a radiator or dropped a bunch of sand and the residue was left on the ramp. Lots of bridge/road construction was going on there so I even considered that moving lots of heavy machinery had mucked up the road surface (it was going to be replaced anyway). But then I started to notice it on another ramp near home. I changed the diffs and transfer fluid for good measure. After 12 years with this car, I know what it feels like and this isn't right. I'm thinking CV's. What do you think?
 
I thought our AWD system shut off after like 19mph or so. If that's the case, would it be your CV joints, differential, or transfer case since if the AWD is off, none of those should be active.
 
Thanks for the replies. I took it into a garage to have them check it out, but their cursory examination didn't show anything obvious except for a little endplay in the inner tie rods. They roadtested it and agreed it was a weird symptom. They also mentioned the possibility of a ball joint catching and releasing. Bringing it in again next week, will advise. Thanks again.
 
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Bushing might be worn...

My subaru with 240k had issues with "following the road" and the alignment was perfect... The bushings were worn on the control arms...While sitting it seems normal... While driving they shift and that is when it caused the issues and such...
 
The mechanic said it's probably either transfer case or traction control. They didn't have the equipment to analyze it but recommended another independent garage. No charge for the analysis. Haven't taken it in yet. Maybe it the electronic coupling in the transfer. Hard to really tell if it front or back end.
 
have them check all the bolts on the the control arms .i had a the same issue's whit my fx loose bolts on the control arms good luck.
 
Back from the second mech with no solution. Had him drive it, confirmed problem, then racked it and I walked around underneath with him. Bushings, arms, links, joints, shocks. Still nothing found. He though it might be a failing shock. I think next I'll try swapping tires right/left; already did front/rear.
 
Starting to think I have a bum tire. Instead of swapping the tires right/left, I'm going to try swapping in one of my old stock 22's with my current stock 18's. Same overall height/width so should handle OK.
 
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