96 Tracker Rear End Sway Help?

mjmyhre · 08-12-2008, 03:06 AM

Hey, I'm not a bad wrench but this one is driving me crazy. I've got a 96 Tracker that is acting a little strange and I can't pin point the problem. As I accelerate the rear end of the car seems to jump to the left and them straightens out. Putting the car into a drag condition (slowing down against the motor compression) reverses the issue and the rear end seems to jump in the other direction. I jacked the thing up and checked the sway bars, coils and shocks. As a matter of fact I changed out the shocks with new units just to be sure I wasn't crazy. I have kicked and pounded on anything I thought could come loose and it all seem snug as a bug in a rug. I applied mild engine rpm with the rear end lifted and what I got was equal distribution of wheel torque to each tire in the expected manner. The only thing I didn't do was pull the sway bars and check the rubber bushings for damage but I'm not sure that would do any good as when I kicked the rear end I didn't get any movement.
OK, if one of you gear heads out there has run into this before can you give me an idea of where to go next. If someone has had this problem and knows the secret could you clue me in. Long story short, I guess I'm not the wrench I thought I was and would really like some help on this one.
Thanks a Grunch.

CodyJ · 08-12-2008, 07:44 AM

You stated "seems to jump out to the left and then straightens out..." are you sure this isn't just you?

Check your rear differential bolts and the pads that they sit on. Maybe you can make a little more sense, you mean it feels like the rear diff. is a pos or limited-slip? Someone may of put a locker!

*If my post seems out of place, its 6:44 and I have had no sleep!*

mjmyhre · 08-12-2008, 01:24 PM

Yes, the word seems should read it does. Under hard acceleration (At speed, above 30 mph) the cars steering tracks correctly but the back pulls to one side. Releasing the throttle caused the rear end to pull back in the other direction. Maintaining speed has no ill effect. The more I think about it the more my head spins. This sucks!

mjmyhre · 08-18-2008, 07:21 PM

Anyone? Buler? Buler?

JamesG · 08-18-2008, 09:06 PM

Probably the upper arms or trailing rod (what you are calling "sway bars") bushings are worn out and allowing too much flex in the rear axle.
As you accelerate the drive shaft's torque is trying to twist the rear axle housing one way and this twists and jacks it against the springs, shocks, and linkage arms. This throws the rear axle and wheels out of alignment with the front wheels and makes the chassis "step out" to line back up.
Deceleration twists it in the opposite direction.

You've got alot of work ahead of you...

mjmyhre · 08-19-2008, 03:20 PM

Thanks for the reply. I was under the car yesterday and figured it had to be the bushings after looking at it for about a half hour. It's pretty straight forward as far as the mechanics go once you think it through. It's not that bad and better than pulling the tranny. Will get on it after I dig up the parts and let you all know if it worked or not.

Have a great day.