'63 Handling Question
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 65
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From: Severna Park MD
'63 Handling Question
I have a '63 Conv. When driving it sometimes feels as though the rear axles are out of alignment. Other times it seems like everything is straight. Any ideas or tests I can do?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Severna Park MD
Re: '63 Handling Question (SWCDuke)
Sorry for the hard time describing the problem. I can feel a vibration in the drivers seat that comes and goes at higway speeds. I jacked the car up and did not feel any excess play from one side to the other. If there is nothing obvious to look for I will keep monitoring for the problem and try to link it with more specific driving conditions etc. Thx. for your help!
Drifting
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,807
Likes: 28
From: CA central coast
Re: '63 Handling Question (Boatingdobbins)
Sounds to me like a U-joint is going bad. Check to see if you can tell if it varies more with acceleration or deceleration... driveshaft U-joints are generally felt more on decel... or if it varies more with jounce (ie, the light or heavy feeling in the seat of your pants when going oner rises & depressions of the road), which changes the angle of the half-shafts with respect to the differential. Unfortunately, both these conditions alter the U-joint angle some, so it may vibrate with either.
Could be a rear wheel bearing, too... listen carefully for noises emanating from the rear on one side or the other during very slow operation (say, steady 5 to 15 mph).
[Modified by waynec, 5:43 PM 6/30/2002]
Could be a rear wheel bearing, too... listen carefully for noises emanating from the rear on one side or the other during very slow operation (say, steady 5 to 15 mph).
[Modified by waynec, 5:43 PM 6/30/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,334
Likes: 2
From: San Clemente Ca.
Re: '63 Handling Question (Boatingdobbins)
I would go to an alignment shop, put it on the rack
and go from there. The charge for an inspection should be minimal,
and could save you in the long run.
and go from there. The charge for an inspection should be minimal,
and could save you in the long run.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: Downtown
Re: '63 Handling Question (396 RAT)
Has the rear susp ever been rebuilt? if not, why not? mine tracked off center on occaision and when i started to take it apart, i was shocked at the rot and popped welds that surrounded the travel arms. its pretty expensive to rebuild and fix the rot etc, but what is more important, a shiny car or one that goes straight and safely at high speed?
sugestion: rebuild the whole susp and experience a new car feel that will suprise you! mine is awesome since rebuild! :yesnod:
sugestion: rebuild the whole susp and experience a new car feel that will suprise you! mine is awesome since rebuild! :yesnod:
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,977
Likes: 38
From: Massachusetts , USA,
Re: '63 Handling Question (Boatingdobbins)
Bring your Vette to a good alingment facility ...advise him/her of problem & have all suspension systems checked out.......also change upper & lower sterring shaft/colum bearings...they are cheap 30 bucks or so & you will be surprised how much slop & looseness new sterring shaft bearings resolve..............The Dog :seeya
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