Skating issues after IPD sway install

Post by **m491** » 01 Mar 2013, 09:44

I was hoping to get some advice on what is causing my 96 855 to have a very light almost skating sensation since putting on a new set of IPD sway bars. I changed out the control arms, the seat springs, strut mounts plus the rear anchors mounts (not the delta bushing). The only thing left is the sway bar links and the tie rod. Before having the sways installed (by a very experienced dealer installer) the car became very light in the steering. I called IPD and they said that all the alignment settings should be the same as factory. The car understandably has more oversteer but in wet I find the oversteer dangerous in turns (so I cut speed to old lady style) and on straight highway roads when wet the car feels like it is skating. I have all season Uniroyal tires the previous owner had on when I bought the car and they have too nice of tread to replace just yet. They are touring tires so I can explain the increased oversteer in turns. But straight roads when wet makes this car nervous. Cold the tie rods cause this much "skating"? Is there a front sway setting that cold cause more aggressive oversteer (the first or second hole on the bar to connect the end link?)

I have my kids use the car and I don't trust the wet driving characteristics enough to give them the car on rainy days. Any help is greatly appreciated. I have the car going in for state inspection this month and want to have them go over any suggestions you folks might have. Thanks.

ChiNorm · Post by **ChiNorm** » 01 Mar 2013, 09:55

I never had any issues like this on my 96 854T5, so I doubt the problem is the sway bars. When I added them to my car, the understeer decreased, but never transitioned into oversteer.

Do you have matching shocks front and back? I tried to run Bilsteins on the back with OEM on the front for only one day, as the handing got really weird.

How are the tires?

In my experience, your experience is not normal at all.

Post by **Ben850** » 01 Mar 2013, 10:10

To the question, could tie rods cause skating?

Absolutely.
Get them done, and whatever else has any slop, i.e. ball joints, control arm bushings and the "skating" should disappear. It did for me.

Post by **jblackburn** » 01 Mar 2013, 11:18

The "skating" feeling is USUALLY from the rear end on these cars.

My car was in a small accident with the rear wheel where the rear suspension geometry was pushed slightly out of alignment. It stumbled over bumps and swayed around on corners. A true 4-wheel alignment may need to be done.

Post by **m491** » 01 Mar 2013, 11:34

Thanks for all the replies. To add more background information, all the suspension is factory and new with the exception of the sway bar end links and the tie rods. The rear of the car has everything new as well (nivomats, top mounts, bump stops, anchor mounts) except the delta links. The car has never been hit per carfax (for what it is worth) and the visual review of this car from top and bottom. And again, everything is a blue box Volvo part on this car with the exception of the IPD sways. (Which I do not feel are not the issue since they have done wonders for flattening the ride since installing them.)

The "skating is clearly a front sensation. The only remaining part not replaced is the tie rods. I have 3 850's and two others before these. They always had a tight steering feel. This one does not. What is the best way to test the tie rods for replacing?

Post by **erikv11** » 01 Mar 2013, 14:31

Best way to test any suspension component with a ball joint, including the outer tie rod: Get in there with a pry bar, start levering things around, and look for play. Or some people like to look for play while wiggling the tire/wheel. But the key is to eyeball the suspension parts while you do it. Ball joints should have zero movement. If there is movement, they are worn.

Inner tie rods is similar, but you want to look if the motion comes from inside the rack.

Post by **m491** » 01 Mar 2013, 15:26

I will see if I can get the car up this weekend and watch what happens with the tie rods. Thanks guys.

Post by **m491** » 12 Mar 2013, 08:22

It was in today for state inspection so took it to the dealer and they gave it the once over. The sway bar end links are the cause of the suspension noise. I'm hopeful it is the cause of the front end sloppy feel.

I am going to do the end links myself (dealer's cost was $248!!!!). I've done other suspension parts before and stay with OEM other than the ipd sways. But is it money well spent to do ipd end links or go with Meyle HD, Lemforder or OEM end links? I'm not sure if the end link being HD will tighten up the front end feel. If they do then the ipd money is well spent. Any experience on end link types is greatly appreciated.

Post by **m491** » 12 Mar 2013, 09:58

I just ordered the Meyle HD end links. I figure for $38 and free shipping I can't go wrong.

Post by **Ben850** » 12 Mar 2013, 11:12

Meyle will be fine. This is not a track car I am assuming.
Funny thing, I was going to install end links that I had sitting new in the box when I replce my hubs soon, but I decided to do them this morning because of an irritating knock from the old ones.

It took all of a half hour this morning. I can't imagine paying $248. for someone to do it.