front end pulling both ways - ???

[patgizz]

this 97 lumina i bought has 90,000 miles

 

if you make a right turn and return to straight, it pulls right from then on.

 

if you make a left turn and return to straight, it pulls left from then on.

 

it was in for alignment the other day and they told me replace the strut bearings and bring it back because they are binding.

 

w-bodies do not have front strut bearings, no? they have that huge round rubber block that the strut bolts into. i took both top plates off and the drivers side rubber block deal was spun about 15* from the "keyway" - the little nub that locates it to a corresponding dimple in the cup it drops into. i took it out and reinstalled and still get the pull.

 

what makes the pivot? the strut shaft?

 

it makes sense that whatever it is that rotates when you turn the wheel is binding up before coming back straight and keeping pressure whichever way you just turned and bringing the wheels back that way. but i've never had to dig in to know exactly what it is. i've replaced struts before and have the tool kit and new struts.

 

[Bake82]

Pat, they do have strut bearings. You need to take the strut assemblies out, take off the struts and springs and replace the bearings. I'm not sure if they are upper or lower or both. Can't remember at the moment. But there ARE strut bearings on the front. Had mine replaced in the cutlass 2-3 years ago, was doing the exact same thing as yours. Sorry can't be much more help.

 

 

But you're gonna have to take out the whole strut assembly and springs.

[patgizz]

gay. good thing i have spare knuckles around. good excuse to borrow the bigger brakes for the TGP. advance doesnt even list a strut bearing.

[99RegalGS]

I replaced the strut bearings in my old Regal. There is only one bearing on each front strut. And like Bake82 said, you need to dissemble the struts. The bearing is in between the lower body of the strut and the bottom spring perch.

 

Here's a pic I found and added an arrow to better explain where the bearing is.

 

The bearing will probably fall apart when you get the spring perch off, and you'll have to pry off the remaining parts of the bearing on the strut. The job isn't really that bad to do, once you get the strut out of the car, and get it apart... lol

[GutlessSupreme]

gay. good thing i have spare knuckles around. good excuse to borrow the bigger brakes for the TGP. advance doesnt even list a strut bearing.

 

I know on rockauto they're listed under a few different things (strut bearing, coil spring seat, maybe another too). My Cutlass needs them, groans like a bitch whenever I turn the wheel.