Jump while cornering

[timky1]

I have a Gen 5, 2002 Camry, 235000 miles. I started getting an unsettling problem recently. While cornering at highway speed, the car pushes, and wants to change about a half lane if it hits a pothole. It is definitely a push and not a loose rear end. The care is completely stock. I've personally owned the car since it had 56K miles. Struts have not been replaced during this time. Is that a reasonable place to start? I ask because I once had an S10 with a similar symptom and in that case it was the front shocks. Any help would be deeply appreciated, I don't want to throw parts at it, and I'd rather not pay the $150 to get it diagnosed, if I don't have to.

[arabianobsession]

It sounds like a bump steer issue to me. My 95 Mustang has horrendous bumpsteer, and it has 152k miles on the original suspension, which desperately needs to be replaced.

[Frodo65]

Originally Posted by timky1

I have a Gen 5, 2002 Camry, 235000 miles. I started getting an unsettling problem recently. While cornering at highway speed, the car pushes, and wants to change about a half lane if it hits a pothole. It is definitely a push and not a loose rear end. The care is completely stock. I've personally owned the car since it had 56K miles. Struts have not been replaced during this time. Is that a reasonable place to start? I ask because I once had an S10 with a similar symptom and in that case it was the front shocks. Any help would be deeply appreciated, I don't want to throw parts at it, and I'd rather not pay the $150 to get it diagnosed, if I don't have to.

You're around 100K+ past due for new struts. With those miles, take a close look at ball joint, tie rod, and bushing condition - all are beyon (or at least nearing ) the end of their useful life. You may find it cost-effective to get 'quick struts' which include mounts and new springs - a very quick and easy way to freshen the components and a real time-saver. With careful shopping around, you should be able to get a set of struts, control arms, bushings, etc. for $1000 or so. If you have someone doing the labor for you, replacing all the components can save you $$$ in the long run, as well as $$$ on tire wear from trashed suspension components.

[techtalk]

timky1,

I am concurring with the general consensus here and advising that you replace the shocks on your Camry. At over 200,000 miles it is VERY likely that your shocks are well beyond worn and can cause unstable cornering dynamics at any speed. A good way to confirm that you need new shocks is to firmly press down on the trunk of your Camry and note how long and drastically the car bounces from this shove. Worn shocks will cause the car to wobble up and down for a few times. For laughs and giggles I conducted this test on my grandfather's 2002 Camry and the poor car was bobbing up and down like Ice-T's hydraulic-equipped domestic hooptie

While you're replacing the shocks it wouldn't hurt to replace all pivotal bushings. OEM shocks and bushings tend to be more consistent as far as quality control is concerned so shop around online for the best price for OEM suspension components. You should be able to buy all 4 shocks for about $400 and new bushings for about $100 more