Shimmy Shimmy Shake

[Chef]

I am tired of my ongoing handling issues. I had the air suspension and swapped in used springs and new struts in the rear. Somewhat used struts in front. Seem to have lots of dampening left when hitting bumps and whatnot. Before swap ride was crap but solid (more or less). Afterwards, problems (listed below). Replacing my balljoints tightened up my steering and helped stabilise things a lot, and I know I need an alignment pronto, but I can't help but think there might be something else.

Symptoms:

Oversteer! Feels like I'm diving into turn WAY too much, and corrections on the highway seem to over-correct. I accidently caught the edge of the road today (snow over everything!) and when I pulled back to the left it way over compensated and I nealry ended up in the next lane. Pulling back to the right offered the same response. A bit scary.

Difficulty tracking straight. Seems to want to wander slightly, and the oversteer makes corrections annoying.

Now this alone I'd chock up to bad alignment. But two things. One is that as far as I can tell, it would be mostly a toe issue. But my tie-rods have not been adjusted since I've owned the car. Would replacing the air with the regular suspension change the way the toe moves in?

Secondly, front-end wobble - when moving the wheel back and forth quickly while driving at highway speeds, the front end seems to wobble back and forth afterwards for a second. The wobble seems to indicate something it not quite tight or is worn.

Checked tie-rods - no excessive play. OUters may be a little flexible, but no play in them. inners tight.

Wheel bearings - seem fine, no drone, pulling out on the wheel shows no play.

Springs seems strong, cannot twist them with weight on them. If I grad a couple of loops with my hand, I can just slightly pinch them together, but it doesn't loosen the spring.

CV shafts (front) new. No problems there.

Sway bar tight.

Nothing seems bent or out of shape.

I want to get an alignment, but feel there is little point if I need to fix something else first. Lifetime alignments are not available here. On a fixed budget.

Suggestions? If it is just the alignment, then what would be the issue most likely? I just don't trust any mechanic I've ever met.

Thanks folks!

[tahiti350]

My '90 wagon had may of the same problems as you have, except for the steering wobble. Both of my rear drag links were bent (see messed up alignemnt specs thread for pics). Changed the rear draglinks, much better but still some sudden oversteer (toe out), got it aligned, and walla, it drives like a civilized car again. No rear end swapping or tire eating.

Good luck and get it aigned. Most places will check it over adn won't align if there are problems, and Les Scwhab won't charge if they don't make any adjustments.

[Chef]

Well, got it aligned, tracks much better now, but still significant issues with being tossed around by cross wind and grooves on the road pulling my wheels. Stills wobbles when at speed and moving the car back and forth quickly.

Figure it's got to be the front struts, even if they don't seem to bounce excessively. No clicks, bangs, thumps or knocks from suspension. Not just need to decide if the cost for this and everything else will be worht it.