2001 Monte Carlo SS 3.8L

OK I'm gonna try to explain this as best I can but its hard as I have never encountered anything like it before....

I noticed today that when accelerating at a good pace from a stop (not peeling out or anything where the tires would spin but putting some torque into it) my car almost seems to "hydroplane". Usually this occurs about 60 MPH or over. Now this is on dry pavement mind you. I know it seems weird but that is the best way I can describe it. It seems to pull to the right when this phenomenon occurs and when I let off the gas it goes away. Its starting to get a little alarming as I'm not sure if something is broken or bent or worn out or what? The last mechanic work was when a buddy and I changed out a broken flexplate/flywheel. I'm not sure if we screwed something up? I do know that when we did that job we forgot to disconnect the rack and pinion and the intermediate steering half shaft got separated and we had a b!tch of a time getting it back together. So much so that I had to take it to a garage to have it put back together. They installed new sway bar links, new tie rod ends, and we have put on a passenger side control arm about 3 months ago. I have also noticed that occasionally the steering wheel is off center---sometimes off center one direction and sometimes off center another direction? Not sure if its related but I'm sure it probably it is. I have a set of Goodyear Eagle GT's on the front and I almost thought they were directional tires after this showed up but I don't think they are? I recently had an alignment after the flexplate/flywheel as the steering wheel was off center after the half shaft got put back together.

Any ideas on what the heck is causing this "hydroplaning" symptom on dry pavement? Its a little scary to lose control like that.

Thanks for reading and as always any and all help is appreciated.

 

Any play in the rack?

 

How would I check that?

I also notice a "clunk" when I turn into the driveway that seems to happen when turning in from both directions. I forgot to include that in the other write up.

 

I would check the tie rods(i kno they are new), balljoints, make sure the steering coupler is fully engaged and tight, and make sure the subframe to rack bolts are tight. Also doulble check the wheel bearings.

 

OK thanks will do.

 

Would also avoid driving it if possible as it could b dangerous

 

Another thing to check is the lower control arm vertical bushings...typical gm problem...also make sure the rack is secure...if the bushing are worn, this can make the car wander...may just want to double check the front end and make sure EVERYTHING is tight to include motor mount bolts etc.

 

Thanks guys....something else just occurred to me. This seemed to start after I had an alignment but there is something else that I did that was probably not the smartest thing when I had the alignment. I had a tire that blew out and I had to buy a used tire to get me by for a month or so until I could get up the cash to buy a set for the back. Well they didn't have any 225/60/16's in stock so they sold me a different size tire with the assumption since it was going on the back and not a drive axle that it would be fine. Well I forgot about it and had the alignment done with that oddball tire on the back. So in calling around to a couple places I understand now that having a mismatched tired on the back would have changed the guys readings for the alignment and thus screwed up my alignment.

So I'm wondering now if having that alignment done with a mismatched tired on the back has now lead to the car tracking funny and of course the steering wheel being off center too?

 

That would only cause it to pull one direction when you put matched tires on it, none of the other symptoms

 

something in the steering system is either loose or wore out, i wouldnt be riving it until you figure out what it is.... my guess is a bad rack.