The "Grandpa car" is now 10 years old and has begun swerving every time it hits a bump. The backend feels like it is beginning to fishtail, so I suspected it was a torsion bar or a stabilizer in the back end of the car. Merlin's took a look at it and showed me that the rubber donuts in the Front control arms are worn enough, that they temporarily move out of alignment when hitting a bump. The problem feels like it's an issue with the rear end of the car, but is caused by parts on the front suspension. I would no longer feel comfortable letting someone else drive this car.
Update from Jul 17, 2016: The replacements parts are $90 per side. So $180 was spent in parts. A friend with access to a car lift changed them out for $100. less than 2 hours worth of work. I asked if the struts needed replaced and he said no. He did advise I take it somewhere to get it aligned. It drove perfect after the work was done, but it did need an alignment, so add another $95 to this repair to get it finished. That's still a long ways from what Merlin's was asking.
The "Grandpa car" is now 10 years old and has begun swerving every time it hits a bump. The backend feels like it is beginning to fishtail, so I suspected it was a torsion bar or a stabilizer in the back end of the car. Merlin's took a look at it and showed me that the rubber donuts in the Front control arms are worn enough, that they temporarily move out of alignment when hitting a bump. The problem feels like it's an issue with the rear end of the car, but is caused by parts on the front suspension. I would no longer feel comfortable letting someone else drive this car.
Update from Jul 17, 2016: The replacements parts are $90 per side. So $180 was spent in parts. A friend with access to a car lift changed them out for $100. less than 2 hours worth of work. I asked if the struts needed replaced and he said no. He did advise I take it somewhere to get it aligned. It drove perfect after the work was done, but it did need an alignment, so add another $95 to this repair to get it finished. That's still a long ways from what Merlin's was asking.
- J E., East Peoria, IL, US