Toyota Corolla fishtailing / rear sway bar problem?

[paddleboarder1]

I have a 1999 Toyota Corolla with 78,000 miles on it. When I go over bumps, manhole covers, or make turns, my car fishtails. It is getting progressively worse.

I went online and also searched for possible causes of my fishtailing.

The problem possibly can stem from any of the following:

1. problems with the rear lateral stabilization link
2. suspension loose
3. worn rear struts
4. broken rear strut mounts
5. broken sway bar end links
6. worn bushings in the rear lateral control rods

On July 11th, Toyota replaced my rear link assembly and bushings on my sway bar (on both sides in the back).

On August 12th, I had my rear brake shoes replaced.

The tires are fine, I only have about 10,000 miles on them so far.

On November 7, 2006, 23,796 miles ago, I had the rear struts replaced.

Which of the options of problems above might be covered by the work that Toyota did in August on my sway bar. For example, if they tell me that the fishtailing problem is due to a problem with the rear lateral stabilization link, would that be covered under the work they did in August by replacing my rear link assembly and bushings on my sway bar (on both sides in the back)?

I just want to go in armed with all the information I might need because these guys know that I know nothing and frankly I don't want them to weasle out of them paying to fix something that is covered under work I already paid them to do in August.

Also, how likely is it that I need to replace my rear struts again? Last night at another mechanic's shop while they were balancing my tires, he said that there was liquid on my rear struts and that he thinks they could be leaking fluid which might be causing the fishtailing. Does that seem likely?

Anyway, any information you can give would be appreciated!!

Thanks!

[Crowbar911]

You have your rear suspension replaced at 54K miles?

My brother was having this problem in his 07 corolla. I found out while his tires where fine, he had it up to 60 psi cold. max tires pressure was 52....

Other than the fishtailing, how does the rear suspension feel? If you push down on the trunk with some force, are there any sounds, etc?
Just to clarify, this happens under normal driving and dry pavement correct?
Since the rear suspension was changed, have you had an alignment?


What your describing is oversteer, when the rear looses traction, and not the front. Since the corolla is a FWD car, you should have plenty of understeer. (front looses traction)

[paddleboarder1]

Yeah, they replaced my rear suspension at 54,000 miles. I suspect that part of that had to do with the fact that I live in NY and to drive around is a lot like off-roading.

When I push down on the back, it does not make noise. It did for a while until I had the sway bar bushing and links replaced in August. Now no more noise when I push down on the trunk.

However, when I drive over bumps, I do get the sound that a basketball would make when you dribble it on a court. The mechanic (not Toyota) tells me that it's because I have to replace my front struts. That it's something usually done at 50k miles, but that it's nothing unsafe, just that the sound will get louder. But it's coming from the front, not the back.

And yes, the fishtailing occurs when I am on completely dry pavement and driving normally. If I'm in a straight lane on the highway and I go over a bump in the asphalt, the back end will fishtail. The faster I go, the more dramatic the fishtail.

I have my car alignment checked and fixed everytime I get my oil changed; so about every 4000 miles.

Thanks for your time!!

[fishexpo101]

What kind of tires are you running (make and size), what tire pressures? What spring and strut are you running in the rear? How are the front spring and struts?

A rear anti roll bar that is too stiff or rear tires that are too hard (over-inflated) can cause some oversteering issues.

If the front spring/strut/sway are too soft, they could be compounding the issue. It almost sounds like the suspension is too stiff in the rear, too soft in the front. Alignment person may have to "correct" this by add in a bit more rear toe and making sure the front doesn't have any negative camber.

I run on pretty rough roads myself - lately be running back and forth on a base (think gravel roads, big potholes, etc.) my suspension is old, but I don't get the car to skitter in the manner than you alluded to.

Since you had so much work done on the rear suspension, I'd suspect that something is not lined up correctly. Did the shop put your car on a chassis jig to make sure the unitbody is still square? That much damage to the car's suspension could potentially be transmitted to the chassis, maybe shifting something offline.

[craig01b]

An alignment done at every oil change???

Its not normal behavior for a car to do that. Take it to a reputable alignment shop and have them check it out, and get a 4 wheel alignment done. I know on most newish cars there isn't really anything to adjust in the back. But given the behavior of the car, I would want to know if there is anything bent.

If there is oil leaking out of rear shocks, they are probably toast.

Good luck, and stay off bumpy highways...til its fixed.

C

[paddleboarder1]

Haha! No no, I bought 4 new tires (Primewell is the brand) from Firestone and then bought a lifetime alignment check with it. So each time I take my car in for an oil change, they check the alignment and realign if necessary.

As for the spring and strut that I am running in the rear, I have no idea.

The front makes a noise like a basketball being bounced on a court every once in a while when I go over a bump. The mechanic tells me that is from the front struts needing to be replaced. He said it isn't a safety issues, just that the noice will continue to get louder.

I don't know if the shop checked to make sure the rear suspension is lined up properly. I assume they did only because I don't them of the issues I am having, but that is just an assumption on my part.

Well Saturday is fast approaching. I some good possibilities suggested to me of what it could be. Now we'll see what Toyota says the problem is. I'll post any resolution I have once they are through with their work.

Thanks so much for your help!!

[paddleboarder1]

So I took my car into Toyota. They said that the rear struts were completely blown on the left side and that the right side wasn't looking too good either. I then had the brilliant idea to contact the mechanics who intially replaced my rear struts. They said to bring it in. I brought the quote of work needed from Toyota, they looked the car over, and since the parts had a lifetime warranty, they replaced the rear struts without a problem. I just had to pay about $100 for labor. Much better than the quotes I was getting for complete replacement at the other mechanics.

So thanks to all who helped!!