Rear end swaying - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Chynkinese · 08-27-2009, 12:43 PM

The rear end of my car sways whenever I go over a bump at speeds greater than 40km/h. When I hit a bump with the left side tires the problem isn't usually noticeable. But when I hit a bump with the right side tires the rear end sways quite noticeably.

I've installed hubrings (I needed them anyways for a new set of rims), checked the tire pressure, and I've gone underneath and tugged at the parts to make sure nothing is loose. I have a hunch its something to do with the rear right tire but I can't seem to figure it out. It doesn't seem to be out of alignment as I go in a pretty straight path. It might be slightly out of balance but I don't believe swaying is a symptom of tire imbalance. What can it be? Anything else I can do to narrow down a diagnoses?

edit: it's a 2001 Corolla CE automatic with ~117,000km.

dwhitecorolla · 08-27-2009, 06:58 PM

I would check the sway bar and the end links to see how they are holding up!

***PhatRoyale*** · 08-27-2009, 07:00 PM

I would take a look at the sway bar bushings too and replace them if they show any signs of cracking or wear.

Chynkinese · 08-27-2009, 07:12 PM

Thanks for the replies. I'll take a look at those as soon as I can and get back to you guys.

If this helps...I did a push test on each of the corners. The car bounces right back up as if they were on brand new shocks/struts BUT oddly enough it sways back and forth. Does this also point towards the sway bar bushings?

Crowbar911 · 08-29-2009, 09:46 PM

I just installed the hotchkiss sway bar set for the 8th gen.

at 80K miles, my back endlinks were SHOT. Fronts looked ok.

To remove the rear sway bar, you must drop the exhaust, and the gas tank. I broke my gas tank strap bolts doing this. ($75 bucks repair). Just a fair warning.

I do have my stock sway bars if you need them. Free as long as you pay shipping.

Chynkinese · 08-31-2009, 09:14 AM

Crowbar, is the replacement of the sway bars covered in Haynes repair manual?

***PhatRoyale*** · 08-31-2009, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chynkinese

Thanks for the replies. I'll take a look at those as soon as I can and get back to you guys.

If this helps...I did a push test on each of the corners. The car bounces right back up as if they were on brand new shocks/struts BUT oddly enough it sways back and forth. Does this also point towards the sway bar bushings?

Yes. Your car's handling will feel sloppy if your suspension bushings are worn out.

Chynkinese · 08-31-2009, 09:19 AM

I have a hunch it might actually be the suspension giving out on me. Took it on a 5 hour trip and it was a pretty rough ride. I felt every bump and crack. It was also pretty floaty...it felt like the wheels were almost off the ground at a few points.

***PhatRoyale*** · 08-31-2009, 09:20 AM

Does your car bottom out (loud bang) when you hit a pothole or dip in the road?

If so, then your struts are most likely shot and need replacing.

Chynkinese · 08-31-2009, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhatRoyale

Does your car bottom out (loud bang) when you hit a pothole or dip in the road?

If so, then your struts are most likely shot and need replacing.

It doesn't bottom out but it does give quite a jolt and then sways back. I just had it safetied (along with emissions-tested) about a week ago when I first bought it.

***PhatRoyale*** · 08-31-2009, 10:15 AM

Press down on the front and rear tire area, if it bounces up and down more than once, that's another sign that the struts are gone.

Crowbar911 · 08-31-2009, 02:40 PM

Sway bar replacements are in the haynes manual.
The instructions for the front are pretty good. the instructions for the rear are HORRIBLE.
For more information, check hotckiss.net They have the pic howto for the after market bars, and install of stock ones should be the same.

*note that as Phat said, it may not be your sway bars, and Im not that good on suspension to give advice on.

Chynkinese · 09-02-2009, 07:45 AM

Thanks for the replies everyone. I haven't had the chance to check things out yet as the "Check Engine" light came on and I had to get that sorted out (it turns out it wasn't a big problem so fixed it myself and everything is fine).

I'll be jacking the car tonight and taking a peak underneath to check the bushings.

Chynkinese · 09-04-2009, 09:03 AM

Final update. I took a look underneath and everything looked fine, albeit there was some rusting but nothing out of the ordinary.

I took a visual inspection of the alignment of the wheels and they were VISIBLY out of alignment. Took it in this morning to get it fixed and now the swaying is GONE! Everything is snappy again!

Funny thing though.. prior to getting the alignment I've taken it on the freeway quite often and let go of the steering wheel; the car was straight as an arrow. I guess the wheels are all proportionally out of alignment. Lesson: Do a visual inspection of the alignment as well.

Crowbar911 · 10-12-2009, 05:12 PM

You can easily tell if camber is WAY out of alignment.

Why would he replace his shocks if a alignment solved the problem already?