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cars4chimps
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Mar 24, 2015, 5:35 PM
Post #1 of 13
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So I did some off-roading in my 99 Olds Intrigue and got stuck in some mud and when I tried to get out, the wheels only went deeper. Long story short, while I was digging the wheels out, I noticed on (I think it was) the strut (the flat beam-shaped thing) had a ball and socket arrangement and one of the balls was popping out of its socket. So when I got out of the mud and drove over about 50 the wheels would begin to wobble. So is this the stabilizer bar or the struts? Thanks.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Mar 24, 2015, 5:45 PM
Post #2 of 13
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Re: Stabilizer Bar?
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Did the bar thing look like this?
or this?
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Mar 24, 2015, 5:47 PM)
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cars4chimps
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Mar 25, 2015, 6:40 AM
Post #3 of 13
(1944 views)
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Re: Stabilizer Bar?
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The ball joint thing that looked like it was coming out could be on the top left of the top photo you got there. Anyway, I think that flat beam thing (strut?) was closest to the ground and could have been dug into the dirt.
That photo on the bottom is the stabilizer bar? It wasn't that.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Mar 25, 2015, 7:10 AM
Post #4 of 13
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Re: Stabilizer Bar?
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Dunno if Mr. DS is around right now but will be. Now what you are describing is a support for a lower control arm if as said the top left of the top photo.........
The bottom is a "Ball Joint" and so are the stabilizer pins I would call them probably all that's allowing this thing to roll without jamming whole wheel into inner fender.
Seriously sport - What are you doing "Off Roading" in an Old Intrigue for?
Basically you'd better see exactly how much was damaged not just what you see at the moment. To break this stuff if it was any good would take some serious force so this may not be the end of it,
T
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cars4chimps
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Mar 25, 2015, 8:16 AM
Post #5 of 13
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Re: Stabilizer Bar?
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Okay, so I really just pulled off the road. But by the time I was done spinning the wheels, they were no longer touching the ground.
But as a side note, I did do some real off roading (or dirt roading) in the Rocky Mountains one summer in my 89 Olds Ciera and by the time I got out of there I definitely needed a new transmission, I'll tell you that. It was just about the most fun you could have in your car though, while it lasted. Are car transmission not able to take the wear and tear that a truck can?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Mar 25, 2015, 8:36 AM
Post #6 of 13
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Re: Stabilizer Bar?
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OK - For whatever fun it need fixing. YOU need to identify the part and I'll let you look up how it's sold, perhaps a whole lower control arm w ball joint, bushing shown at right and the mount to the top left or that sold separately. IDK yet and didn't go parts hunting.
When all back in order and front end parts all tight it is or should be ready for an alignment which should reveal any more damage or if something bent too much it would show.
All for good fun and YES drove a car to top of Mt. Evans (Google it) in CO in an old Rambler! They don't make cars like that or that tough anymore
Not for off roading purpose but to really get to a known lodge not easy for any car to get to at the top. Horrible rocky road, declining condition and did hit (had trailer hitch) so hard it opened the trunk without damage and who knows why on that one?
Back - to replace that arm will take some tools and know how. I'll skip it if you are going to have that done or try it yourself if you have the tools,
T
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cars4chimps
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Mar 25, 2015, 5:23 PM
Post #7 of 13
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Re: Stabilizer Bar?
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So I took it to a garage and the guy said I need inner and outer tie rods (parts - $130, labor - don't ask). He also stood at the front of the car and rocked it up and down and the engine would pop out a couple inches, so I need engine mounts too.
So are tie rods a difficult repair? They look accessible anyway.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Mar 25, 2015, 6:24 PM
Post #8 of 13
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Re: Stabilizer Bar?
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The outers are not too difficult to replace unless they are seized onto the inner tie rod threads. The inner tie rods need a special tool to remove and install them.
If your interested in trying this yourself, I suggest you check out the service procedures for replacing those items.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Mar 25, 2015, 6:26 PM)
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cars4chimps
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Mar 26, 2015, 7:36 AM
Post #9 of 13
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He wants to do an alignment as the last step. Is this necessary? I know when you get new tires they tell you "you must get them aligned " or you will regret it the rest of your life, but I never get alignments and it's never problem. What do you think?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Mar 26, 2015, 7:51 AM
Post #10 of 13
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From what this has been thru alone if nothing broke an alignment would be called for. If you are dedicating this car to off road use just ask to get it close by eye and forget it otherwise you really must or don't know how long tires would last or real road behavior would be,
T
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Mar 26, 2015, 9:45 AM
Post #11 of 13
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Re: Stabilizer Bar?
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Good idea to have it aligned as Tom stated. That is after you make your repairs to the steering system.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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cars4chimps
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Mar 27, 2015, 7:50 AM
Post #12 of 13
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Re: Stabilizer Bar?
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I know you haven't seen the car, but is it typical to replace all of the tie rods at once (inner, outer, left and right), or can you just replace some of them? Of course if money were no object, I would replace all of them, but let's just say money is tight.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Mar 27, 2015, 8:29 AM
Post #13 of 13
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Re: Stabilizer Bar?
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? IMO part judgment call on the tech knowing WHY and HOW one fell out! If just worn over time again IMO washed grease out sealed or not I'd think just the worn one(s) but all may show wear and have been exposed to this trauma.
Not sure who's actually looked at it or suggest what in person with the car to you if at all yet. You may not know until on alignment machine if there's more to this than what's obvious. To a point I'm putting this in the "accident/collision" category being a bit more than ordinary,
T
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