Car jumps when hits a manhole cover etc

2003 Ford KA 1.3i
Car: Ford KA
Year: 2003
Variant: 1.3i
Categories: Leaks & Noises
Please can anyone help! Ive got a 2003 Ka 1.3 and the car pulls slightly when I change gear. When I drive over a man hole cover the car Jumps or drags to the left. If the drivers side goes over one it does the same!but to the right. Its ten times worse in the wet and dangerous. Ive had the tracking checked etc and its spot on. The lower arms seem to have no movement whilst jacked up but the car feels as if something is loose etc! My local mot guy says there is no movement and there is no accident damage etc. Your help would be appreciated.
Problem added: Nov 9, 2010 (13 years ago)
Check engine / gearbox mountings , steering , suspension etc. for wear .
Answered Nov 9, 2010 (13 years ago)
Have you had a look at this similar problem: Car jumps when hits a manhole cover etc

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Answered Nov 9, 2010 (13 years ago)
There is no movement as everyone who has checked. Im sure someone who has had a Ka would have had the same. The car has done 54 000 miles and it seem like the arms but need to be sure. They are fine when jacked up but under the weight of the car it may be different but dont want to pay a garage on the off chance it MAY work!
Answered Nov 9, 2010 (13 years ago)
check there is no damage to front struts and top suspension mounts/springs,make sure nothing obvious is bent on steering components,have you had a steering/geometry check to check camber and castor as well as tracking,also worth doing a complete nut and bolt check on steering and suspension components
Answered Nov 10, 2010 (13 years ago)
Thank you Simon. Ive had the tracking done and ive measured the distance between the front and rear wheels on both sides. I will get my mechanic to do as you say and do a nut and bolt check. When I go over a cover the car seems to be yanked to the kerb and the same on the drivers side when I go over one! It does feel that when I turn left that the wheel is at an angle where the top of the wheel is tilting out further than the bottom. I will get a full nut and bolt inspection when I can. There are no clunks etc. It used to pull to the right under acceleration so the tyre people swapped the tyres around and now it very slightly pulls to the left but in the wet the jerking on ether side is worse! :( If I accelerate with my foot to the floor in the wet the car pulls really hard towards the kerb now!
Answered Nov 10, 2010 (13 years ago)
Car is now fixed. I have had the two front wishbones replaced £65 inc fitting and the car is like new! No pulling or jumping around. Even though there was no movement whilst jacked up some of the bushes were soft under the load and weight of the car. Thanks everyone. :D
Answered Dec 2, 2010 (13 years ago)

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