Thanks to all who answered yesterday - Several said "alignment" and some said shocks/struts. Just to clarify - I just got through hauling a load from New Jersey to Florida for the umpteen time & I knew it was just a matter of time before something would give - funny thing tho - I heard a clunk (metalic) sound in the rear when I backed up - just before it happened - (the rear end fishtailing, that is). It was a clack sound just as if something had broken off, I thought it was something as simple as the weight (the ones they put on the wheel for balancing) coming off from a wheel so that is why I went and got the wheels balanced and rotated - not that it didn't need it, but that did not rectify the problem) and then I thought - "huh?, universal?", I had had trouble with universal (or is it called drive shaft?) previously on my Dodge van. I just need to be sure of what to ask for when I go into a garage for repair or at least appear to have some degree of intellegence. Thanx again!
2006-09-12 21:33:34 · 8 answers · asked by serendip119 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Ford
U Joint, or otherwise known as universal joint. If the mechanic tells you its something else, hit him with one. Joking.
2006-09-13 02:50:02 · answer #1 · answered by diamond_joe1979 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Check under the van probably rusted badly one of the diagonal links locating the rear end housing rusted broken and is no longer locating. It is kind of fun have some one drive follow in a chase car and have the weave a little the body work will move and axle will track straight or look at the back tire turn rear view mirror "O my Gosh" the axle is falling out. Get Under there right away it is not safe to drive when this happens. Time for new van.
2006-09-13 07:46:26 · answer #2 · answered by John Paul 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if the rear of your van is fishtailing, first make sure you have enough air pressure in your tires. Have a mechanic check your springs to make sure the weight your hauling isn't too much. and then the rear shock absorbers must be in good condition. most likely you have a real heavy load and not enough spring to carry correctly and you need to fix it before something bad happens
2006-09-13 10:49:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are pulling a load with any car, it may fish tail because too much weight in the back, too little weight in the front. If there is no load either the toe-end is far off set, or too much, too little tire air pressure.
2006-09-13 07:28:14 · answer #4 · answered by kayef57 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
still sounds like shocks to me . check tire pressure in the rear isn't the aerostar front wheel drive forgot what they look like
2006-09-13 04:38:10 · answer #5 · answered by dalecollins64 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may have heard a rear coil spring break.
2006-09-13 17:19:44 · answer #6 · answered by HowlnWoof 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cool
2006-09-13 09:10:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounded like something broke off? Tell it to the repair guy! duh
2006-09-13 16:48:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋