So I just picked up a 2002 Lancer OZ rally yesterday, overall i'm pretty impressed, aside from having mediocre power it handles pretty darn well. very responsive and fun.

The one issue I have is when you turn left on the throttle the passenger front wheel has a wobble to it, also occurs under moderate to heavy acceleration. but goes away immediately when you press in the clutch, this would leave me to believe its a cv axle or possibly a motor or trans mount altho I'm not sold on that idea yet. cv axle also makes no noise.

I've already confirmed balljoint, tie rods and wheel bearing to be tight with no play. lower control arm bushing appear to be intact. i'd like to upgrade these regardless but have only found factory complete assembly replacements.

I'd appretiate any input,
Ryan

 

sheesh 68 views and no replies?

lame. guess it's time to throw a CV axle at it and see what happens

 

does it only do it when you turn left? i had the same problem and sometime would hear a clunk sometimes. check the sway bar linkage on both sides and make sure the bushings are in good shape. the linkage on my driver side was completely broke and missing.

 

correct only left while on the throttle.

I'll check that in the morning, i believe the rain has finally stopped here.... hopefully

 

yeah mine was doing the same thing. it wouldn't do it all the time and it only did it when i turned left. everything was totally missing from the sway bar on driver side. bolt was broke and gone. the passenger side, the bushing were completely shot and bolt was about ready to snap. keep us updated if you fix the problem

 

I had the same problem with my 02 oz, turned out it was just rust.

 

care to elaborate on that?

no update yet, been a busy day

 

Well I can tell you it wasn't the sway bar endlinks

 

Did you check your motor mounts as well? and when you checked lower control arm bushings, did you use a pry bar to check for movement? make sure you don't put tension on it when you jack up, that way you can check it properly

 

motor mounts are good. lower control arm bushings are good as well. SOME flex but not much.

i still haven't ruled out the cv axle I just haven't had time to tear into it.
hoping to get this buttoned up so I can start on my budget AutoX build.

hard to kill cones with a wobbly wheel lol

 

Not really sure but it was right when I picked up my lancer, it would rattle a lot but the rattle would stop as soon as I pushed the clutch in.
Took it to my mechanic for a simple checkup, he lifted the car, showed me rust underneath the car..then he replaced something and the rattle was gone.

 

My guess is that it would be one of the CV axles. Are any of the boots torn? Fortunately a CV axle is easy to replace and only takes about an hour if you have the correct tools.