The transition from the drivetrain pulling to slowing with brakes seems to be causing a shift in the suspension, giving a bias to the left.
FWIW, Tires are oversized (installed by PO).
I can hear a clunk when driving forward after stopping firmly in reverse.
I jacked up each side: the ball joints and tie-rod ends seem pretty tight. The wishbone bushings don't look trashed, the subframe bushings are hard to tell.
The tops of the struts seem sloppy when wheels are off the ground.
I'm gonna put it on jackstands and lift each wishbone with the jack and look for more slop/shifting...
Any tips on diagnostic methods are requested.
Thanks in advance,
TD
Tyler, I had a similar issue with my Rabbit and I ended up finding out that the front struts were toast. Basically riding on the springs. The struts would pull up and down with NO resistance. So, I bought a new set of Gabriels from a guy locallly that were used. Friday on the way home I notice there is that same noise coming from the front. Found out I had blown the drivers side again. Ended up ordering two new struts from Parts Geek and will replace them next weekend if it don't rain. Should have stuck to my guns on buying new only. They were probably as old as the car they went on. Still in original box but time may have dealt them a bad hand.
Does it bounce the front end at all when it is in normal driving status? Mine was solid to the springs and the rubber part of the mounts were about 2 inches above the tops of the frame.
The struts feel pretty good... firm, but they rebound properly.
When tires are on the ground, the space between the mount and inverted WWI helmet is about 1/2".
I'm seeing the top of the left strut tip forward & back, as I stop and start.
There is evidence of tire scrub on the front-inboard side of the left wheelhouse (but the tire looks ok).
I can move the rear-left wing of the subframe quite a bit with a short pry-bar (wheel lifted)... I think that bushing is trashed.
Presto Chango. Sounds like you found the needed repair. Rubber replacement all around then. Not the Polys. You have read on them here I am sure.
Poly's in that might be ok though..
That rubber looks fine to me. the hat is just there to keep it from falling through if the rubber breaks.
Or when...
Take a good hard look for play in the tie rod ends
I'm not familiar with the dasher suspension, but that sounds like a control arm bushing issue to me...
It behaves just like a bad wishbone bushing... the subframe can flex a lot (~1" laterally) if its rearward bushing is bad.