Hey y'all, this is stumping me and I've been unable to find the same issue described anywhere I've looked.

It's a 2003 Toyota Camry V6. Any time I'm driving above 60mph and hit a bump (mostly when going onto a highway bridge) and sometimes on a tight curve, there's a chance the car will suddenly jerk left and right very quickly, usually only once left and right before resettling and continuing. The worst instance of this problem was hitting a bump at ~70mph on a downhill left curve while I had a full tank of gas and two passengers (usually I'm driving solo)... In that instance it actually went left and right two or three more times before finally straightening and retaining full control.

As an aside, possibly completely unrelated, my steering wheel makes a creaking sound when turning at low speeds or intersections. Usually I can feel this creaking as a vibration in the pedal.

Trying to solve the jerking/swaying/wobbling issue has led me through a litany of repairs, while they have given me more control overall, the issue still persists. These are the things we've tried:

• replaced all struts (much needed, the old ones were so worn that the new ones visibly lifted the car)
  
• replaced sway bar links
  
• replaced front lower control arms and ball joints
  
• replaced rotors and brake pads
  
• new tires
  
• realignment (much needed and gave the opportunity for other mechanics to look over everything as well)
  

The only remaining things I'm suspicious of that I know of might be the motor/transmission mounts (but there is no audible clunking of anything in the front) or the steering rack.

Also might be pertinent that, when I tested it after the badly needed realignment, the jerking problem happened more often hitting a bridge straight on than it did before, and it also occurred once or twice on a right hand curve on the highway instead of left hand curves which would usually be where it happened before.

I'd appreciate literally any thoughts on this, it seems to be stumping everyone.

 

There is universal joint between the steering wheel shaft and steering gear box rack and pinion assy. Check for excess play.

Check the steering housing end bushings where the rack moves in and out of the housing for wear and rack.

Check rack and pinion assy for play.

There is a steering arm swivel joint under the housing bellows.

The rear suspension bushings can wear out. Struct rod and suspension arm bushings.

Bad wheel bearing.

Sometimes the sub assembly bushings wear out.

Get under the car with a crowbar and start moving things around by gentle prying.

 

FYI to anyone who might look at this post with the same problem:

It turns out it was worn bushings. Replacing the rear trailing arms and the rear steering knuckles with new bushings in them is what finally solved the problem.

 

Thanks for posting back with the fix!