Just returned from a 500 mile trip to Plam Springs ... the car performed flawlessly much to the embarrassment of one Mustang GT owner.

When I arrived home, got off the freeway and on to city streets I noticed at low speeds a feeling like the car was dancing sideways back and forth on a horizontal plane. A side to side kinda' slide. It is not real noticeable but it's there. It seems to be emanating from the rear of the car. I do not feel it in the steering wheel.

I'm thinking a bushing failure and will put it on the lift later today but was wondering if any of the experts might give me some clues what to look for or other possible causes. Thanks for the help.

Tom
'92 400e 97K mi

I've had that problem caused by a bad tire. It's OK at highway speeds but when you slow down it wiggles the car back and forth. Its something inside the tire, like a belt has slipped or broken. Sometimes you can see it in the sidewall, but compare it to other tires, there's always a ridge or bump but a bad tire will be different and bigger.

Check tire pressures and visually inspect your tires. From there, get it up on a lift. Has it been aligned recently?

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"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss

Michael
2014 E63S Estate
2006 SLK55
1995 E500
1986 Porsche 944 turbo

Thanks Michael and Jim ... will check out the tires thoroughly this afternoon. Michael, I do not know when last alignment was done. The front alignment appears to be fine as the car tracks straight as an arrow under power and under braking. So, I guess yuo're saying check the rear alignment as well? Seems funny it would pop up so suddenly if it were alignment.

I always like to see the final results to a thread, know which suggestions ACTUALLY solved the problem. When initiating a thread we should all remember and accept the responsibility for making a final post that wraps things up, dontcha' think?

Jim and Michael were right on the button, as posters here usually are. It was the tire ... right rear to be specific.
Here's a lesson for ya' ...

Prior to departing on the trip I changed out tranny and diff fluids to Redline products. While the car was on the rack at a friend's shop (negotiated a deal for them to do the fluid swap for $30) I asked them to check the tire pressures all around whilst I went to buy donuts for everyone. I usually ALWAYS check the pressure myself with my trusty digital pressure guage any time ANYONE touches my tires. Didn't do it. When I put the car on the rack yesterday to check out the source of my problem I instantly saw it! The inside shoulder of the right rear was just tore up something fierce. Where the side wall rolls over into the tread. Yikes. Total separation of tread, flaps an inch or more in width. Whipped out my pressure guage and ... WHOA ... 48 lbs. COLD!! All the others were spot on ... 30 front/33 remaining back. Their guage was sticking. This was the first tire they put air in on Friday. Scratch one MVX4. My fault for violating my rule to always check when someone else touches tires.

I'm sure this over inflation is what shredded the tire as there is no evidence of anything rubbing. So I'm off this morning to throw a pair of Yoka AVS dB's on the back. A little (and expensive) reminder of what happens when a.) you are rushing to get on the road and b.) you break your own rules.

BTW, any of you golfers who like to hit 'em and chase 'em on the courses in Palm Springs now and then ... make sure you hit Desert Falls CC. Great track, great people ... very enjoyable round and John, the bartender, makes a killer Cosmo for the ladies and a very wicked dirty Absolute martini.

Thanks again, Jim and Michael!!

Glad things worked out, and happy it's a straightforward, relatively inexpensive repair.

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"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss

Michael
2014 E63S Estate
2006 SLK55
1995 E500
1986 Porsche 944 turbo

Hey Tom:

Let me know how those Yokohama's feel. I have Pirellis on now and I am not happy with them. It is on my '87 260E.

I have been seriously looking at those Yokohama's (looks good on paper) and haven't heard from anyone that owns them.

Please let me know.

Aloha,
Eric

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1987 260E Charcoal Grey 157,000 Miles
1987 260E Forest Green 120,000 Miles

Hi Eric,

So far so good. I haven't had much opportunity to put any miles on them or to hit some of my fav roads around here. I can tell you this ... they are THEE quietest tire I have ever experienced. I only put on 2, at the rear, but the difference over the Michelin XVS's is noticeable. I had one little shot yesterday where I was out on some farm roads and tried to break the rearend loose. They are very predictable as you approach adhesion limits and despite the relatively tall sidewall, I felt little if any rollover. Time will tell whether they will deliver decent wear. But, given they are quite inexpensive should soften any disappointment on that score. Tirerack has them in 205-60-15 for $63. I bought them locally for $86 installed, speed balanced with chrome stems. Be aware the tire is on National backorder from Yokohama. 2 months or more until wide availability. Tirerack is one of the few, very few, who have any stock at the moment. So far I like 'em a bunch. I'm thinking of moving them to the front and the old Michelin's to the rear 'cause I always chew up 2 backs to 1 front so I can get a full set of 4 on the car.

Good luck, Eric.

Tom

2 to 1 for the back tires? Could it have anything to do with the engine?

Hey Jim,

Engine? No, I suspect it is all about the foot. You know ... the right one, the heavy one.