I noticed today that the rear of my camaro seems to shift side to side. As a accelerateI can feel as if the rear end shifts over slightly and then then I left for of the throttle I can feel the rear shimmy a bit.

Also, when I hit bumps I can feel the rear shift a bit.

I was reading up on some of the potential issues and nothing seems to jump out as a possibility. I have an after market panhard bar so that is not the issue.

I am looking for a bit of guidence so that when I do look under it Ihave a better idead of things I should be looking for.

Thanks

 

The bushings in the PHB may be bad, causing it to shift.

 

Stupid question ... but how do I check that? And although I believe that it is torqued down enough, could a loose bolt causeit to shift? and by loose I mean torquing it down to lets say 70 ft/lb instead of 95ft/lb for example.

Thanks

 

I could see a loose bolt doing that if the bolt "wobbled" sided to side in the bolt sleeve. What may seem plenty tight to use could be just loose enough to not stop the forces of moving it, while the car is moving.

As for checking the bushings....I'd just pull the PHB down & visually check, physically poke/prod the material (rubber or poly? poly lasts "forever").

It wouldn't hurt to check the LCAs too. If they were loose any, that could cause the axle end to move forward/backwards which might be felt as the axle shifting side to side.

I've never had any of that happen so I am just going on thoughts of what it could be. I have no physical experience with it happening here.

 

Yah I'm not really sure either. Both the LCAs and PHB are after market. I'm going to check the bolts fo make sure all is well.

Do you think it could be the bracket that connects the PHB to the frame.

Its weird for sure and I'll be sure to look into it further and let people know what it was.

Thanks

 

Well I feel like an idiot now for not looking below the car first because I assumed it was something more complicated then it was. The LCA on the passenger side was disconnected from the differential and hanging. Thanks for the input.

 

Completely disconnected as NO BOLT? YIKES! That would definitely allow one side of the rear end to shift forwards & backwards causing it to seem to shift side to side. I bet it handled weird too, with a crooked rear axle.

Glad you found it before the other side failed & the whole rear end came out from under the car.
http://youtu.be/uB4EdVql8dE

 

Yah it was behaving really weird. And that video was pretty good. I'm just glad I caught it before that happened or worse. Thanks again

 

At least you noticed anything was wrong. Most people cant tell if their car is about to fall apart or is in perfect condition. Seriously, it amazes me what people dont notice on their cars. It bothers the crap out of my girlfriend and a few others that i notice every sound and movement that happens with the cars i drive often.