Steering issue while decelerating.....
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Nanty Glo PA
Steering issue while decelerating.....
Been meaning to ask this now for a week or so....
I was behind about a dozen cars single file starting up a BIG hill on my way home from work. Road breaks into 3 lanes going up. All vehicles (a mix of cars and trucks) stay in the middle lane. Impatient as usual I consider a pass just as some bitty pulls into the open left lane and then refuses to go any faster than the crowd. Did the only thing I could do. Slipped into the right/slow lane and gave all of them a quick glimpse of my tail lights.
Now here's the problem. By the time I got passed these jokers i was doing like 90-ish. Figured I better behave and slow down, this road is patrolled alot. When I backed out of it the car pulled hard to the right. Not violently but definitely with some authority. Made me grab the wheel tight. I got back into the gas and it stopped this behavior. I then proceeded to back off the throttle very gradually. No problems.
I've tested/forced the situation on purpose since that event and it happens every time I leave off under heavy acceleration. Have any of you guys experienced this?? Do you think it could be something wrong with the posi unit??
All rear end components except T/A's and diff. have been rebuilt or replaced in August-Sept. Car runs GREAT otherwise.
Thanks for reading!
I was behind about a dozen cars single file starting up a BIG hill on my way home from work. Road breaks into 3 lanes going up. All vehicles (a mix of cars and trucks) stay in the middle lane. Impatient as usual I consider a pass just as some bitty pulls into the open left lane and then refuses to go any faster than the crowd. Did the only thing I could do. Slipped into the right/slow lane and gave all of them a quick glimpse of my tail lights.
Now here's the problem. By the time I got passed these jokers i was doing like 90-ish. Figured I better behave and slow down, this road is patrolled alot. When I backed out of it the car pulled hard to the right. Not violently but definitely with some authority. Made me grab the wheel tight. I got back into the gas and it stopped this behavior. I then proceeded to back off the throttle very gradually. No problems.
I've tested/forced the situation on purpose since that event and it happens every time I leave off under heavy acceleration. Have any of you guys experienced this?? Do you think it could be something wrong with the posi unit??
All rear end components except T/A's and diff. have been rebuilt or replaced in August-Sept. Car runs GREAT otherwise.
Thanks for reading!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Nanty Glo PA
Snubber bushing is brand new poly and torqued to spec.
Car was aligned and checked out by my mechanic, no problems found. Like I said only problem noted with drivability was this pull under deceleration.
I did have some steering wheel slop. Took care of that with a steering box adjustment. Haven't had the car on the road since due to snow and ice here in PA. Had about 1" slop on either side of the steering wheel. If there was that much slop present in the box could it affect my car the way I described under deceleration?? Didn't think of that before....
Anyway, thanks for the replies!
Car was aligned and checked out by my mechanic, no problems found. Like I said only problem noted with drivability was this pull under deceleration.
I did have some steering wheel slop. Took care of that with a steering box adjustment. Haven't had the car on the road since due to snow and ice here in PA. Had about 1" slop on either side of the steering wheel. If there was that much slop present in the box could it affect my car the way I described under deceleration?? Didn't think of that before....
Anyway, thanks for the replies!
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,732
Likes: 710
From: Shelton, Connecticut
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Check brakes and bearings
Since most Corvettes have enough power to overcome a dragging brake caliper or a wheel bearing on the way out, the possibility is that the issue would show up during deceleration.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Are you [sub-consciously] turning the steering wheel a bit under strong acceleration (to counteract engine torquing)....so that it turns some when you let off the gas? If you are getting excessive engine torquing, check the motor mounts for looseness.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
check your rear end alignment , although this is a common problem and what is happening is the front alignment angle is changing as the front of the car is rising and then when you decelerate the nose comes down and the alignment angles change again.......a stiffer spring that limits the front end travel will help eliminate this problem.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Nanty Glo PA
Brake calipers, pads, and exterior brakelines are all new. Car doesn't have a pull at any speed except when I get off the gas after hard acceleration.
Will have to check motor mounts. Can't say for sure I'm not unconsciously steering or I would be conscious of it.....hehe.
Alignment was done a month ago but I see your point. Alot of vertical movement in the front springs would have some effect.
Bearings are another thing I will have to look into. Not too sure of the procedure to check them. Everyone seems to have a different one and an opinion on how to do it.
This damn snow here makes me mad. I could be out there troubleshooting as we speak......
Once again, thanks for the help guys!
Will have to check motor mounts. Can't say for sure I'm not unconsciously steering or I would be conscious of it.....hehe.
Alignment was done a month ago but I see your point. Alot of vertical movement in the front springs would have some effect.
Bearings are another thing I will have to look into. Not too sure of the procedure to check them. Everyone seems to have a different one and an opinion on how to do it.
This damn snow here makes me mad. I could be out there troubleshooting as we speak......
Once again, thanks for the help guys!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
Sure sounds like "bump steer" to me. As your front end lifts you may be unconsciously turning the steering wheel to compensate for a drift to the right or left because of a front end toe change due to suspension travel. Then when you let off the gas and your nose comes down (particularly if you brake at the same time) now your front end toe could change the other way.
I think that the production C3 front suspension is noted for some bump steer. Slop in the steering gear, flex coupling, idler arm, tie rod pivots, etc could really exaggerate the affect of toe change with suspension travel.
Jim
I think that the production C3 front suspension is noted for some bump steer. Slop in the steering gear, flex coupling, idler arm, tie rod pivots, etc could really exaggerate the affect of toe change with suspension travel.
Jim
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