C1 wandering
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 37
Likes: 8
From: Madison AL
C1 wandering
My C1 does a lot of wandering around at 40-45mph. (That’s a guess since the speedometer doesn’t work) I plan to rebuild the front suspension before I pay to do an alignment. Hoping that will cure some of the wandering. If not I will look at the steering box. Looks like rebuild kits are in the $550 range. Apparently questions remain on the craftsmanship in these kits. My local corvette shop says I need to have a professional build the box. I have only found one place advertising rebuild service and they want $2k. Then there is the rack and pinion power steering kits for $3500. I tell the wife that I’m not restoring this car I’m just fixing it. However I don’t want to screw it up for whoever gets it after I’m gone. I guess there will be opinions favoring each of these options. What y’all got?
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,503
Likes: 812
From: East Central Florida
It's possible the toe is out. Or too much play in the tie rod ends.
You could check toe ar rest with a tape measure at front and rear of tires for a ballpark.
Of course the whole steering component system may be loose. Need to check it all by resting the lower control arms on stands and get under it with a helper at the steering wheel.
You could check toe ar rest with a tape measure at front and rear of tires for a ballpark.
Of course the whole steering component system may be loose. Need to check it all by resting the lower control arms on stands and get under it with a helper at the steering wheel.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 312
From: St. Petersburg FL
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,717
Likes: 903
From: Warminster PA
I would verify all of the steering joints are sound and not worn out, replace as needed. Then address the steering box if necessary. A lash adjustment may be all that is needed there, but even that is somewhat tricky to make sure you are on the high point and get the right adjustment. The ST-12 service manual has a section on adjusting the steering box.
Also, these front ends required greasing very often as the control arms are basically metal on metal. Don't remember the interval off hand, 500, 1k miles? Lots of grease fittings to hit as well, the owners manual and the ST-12 identify those points.
Tom
Drifting
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 1,363
Likes: 1,011
From: Sierra Vista, AZ
Lube every 1000 miles. They mean it.
Support the car by the lower control arms, then you can push/pull on the upper arm and brake drum, and see what parts in the suspension might be loose.
As mentioned, having someone wiggle the steering wheel slightly back and forth as you carefully watch the steering linkage, will sometimes reveal a loose part or two.
Having the front wheels toed out, instead of in, will make it wander.
Might also check the rear end, make sure the U bolts are tight, the leaf springs still have bushings, etc.
Support the car by the lower control arms, then you can push/pull on the upper arm and brake drum, and see what parts in the suspension might be loose.
As mentioned, having someone wiggle the steering wheel slightly back and forth as you carefully watch the steering linkage, will sometimes reveal a loose part or two.
Having the front wheels toed out, instead of in, will make it wander.
Might also check the rear end, make sure the U bolts are tight, the leaf springs still have bushings, etc.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 15,470
Likes: 8,951
From: northern california
C2 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 37
Likes: 8
From: Madison AL
Thanks guys. I’ve got a lot to learn about C1 suspensions. Y’all got me measuring around on this thing and I believe the whole car is 3” higher than it came from the factory. That’s probably not helping either.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,270
Likes: 1,770
From: Central Michigan
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
It doesn't take a lot of toe-out to make a C1 wander. Mine did and correcting that cured it. I also agree with the above that no shop out there will know how to align those antiques and the few, if any, that do won't admit it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,717
Likes: 903
From: Warminster PA
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 807
Likes: 199
From: NH
Maybe I was just lucky. I took my 62 to the local (Keene, NH) Tire Warehouse. I brought my ST-12 manual and a couple of articles from this forum. I explained to the owner that I didn't want to be insulting, but realized these antiques were quite different from modern cars. He said he'd put his 'best man' on it. The 'kid' that was assigned surely hadn't been born in 62 and maybe not his parents. BUT he was great. Before touching the car, he read all the articles and the ST-12. Then he offered me to follow along with him as he adjusted things. I had to show him the 'secret' fitting in the upper outer bushing, but other than that, he did a great job. He got everything spot on except caster. He adjusted it to max but it was still a couple points low. I wasn't willing to unbolt everything to add another shim so we left it at that. Drives great now.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 37
Likes: 8
From: Madison AL
I hate for anyone to see it at the moment. I have the paint stripped off the front ready for my favorite corvette fiberglass guy to repair. I am assuming that the previous owner couldn’t stop quickly enough with the drum brakes.
anyway the car is sitting about 3 inches higher than it should. Take a look at the rear shackles turned upside down. The front end must have taller springs installed. Someone must have been going for the gasser look under previous ownership.
I did patt her on the butt and tell her she was safe now. Bubba can’t hurt her anymore.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 31,156
Likes: 461
From: Wilmington N C
St. Jude Donor '14 thru '26
Maybe I was just lucky. I took my 62 to the local (Keene, NH) Tire Warehouse. I brought my ST-12 manual and a couple of articles from this forum. I explained to the owner that I didn't want to be insulting, but realized these antiques were quite different from modern cars. He said he'd put his 'best man' on it. The 'kid' that was assigned surely hadn't been born in 62 and maybe not his parents. BUT he was great. Before touching the car, he read all the articles and the ST-12. Then he offered me to follow along with him as he adjusted things. I had to show him the 'secret' fitting in the upper outer bushing, but other than that, he did a great job. He got everything spot on except caster. He adjusted it to max but it was still a couple points low. I wasn't willing to unbolt everything to add another shim so we left it at that. Drives great now.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 37
Likes: 8
From: Madison AL
While I am asking dumb questions. Why can’t you install two sets of the aluminum caster plates to get 4 degrees of caster for the radial tires?
next question also probably dumb is king pin inclination. From reading the ST-21 it sounds like the king pin inclination is adjustable. Not sure I understand how that is measured.
next question also probably dumb is king pin inclination. From reading the ST-21 it sounds like the king pin inclination is adjustable. Not sure I understand how that is measured.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 37
Likes: 8
From: Madison AL
Oh and back to the original wandering question. I got my son to come and hold the other end of the tape for me while we checked toe. We are 3/4” toed in. Poor car doesn’t know what wheel it’s supposed to be following!