Chasing a squirrell
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Chasing a squirrell
I need some suggestions. My 76 has been "squirrelly" since I got it back on the road. So far I have replaced trailing arm bushings, power steering valve, tie rod ends, idler arm, and tonight I did the ball joints. I bought some factory aluminum wheels and pulled off the chrome unifit wheels and spacers. It's been 4 wheel aligned 3 times. While it has come a long way it still has a bit of a "squirrelly" or "darty" feel to the steering, especially at speed. I would say it either leans right or leans left and has a hard time staying centered. I think the only rubber left in the front end is the control arm bushings, how likely are these to cause my problems? I am not wanting autocross handling just a good solid feel. Maybe I need to find another alignment shop? Thanks for any suggestions
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 341
Likes: 29
From: vancouver washington
Not sure what your problem might be but this is what happened to me. Last winter I did a complete suspension overhaul front and rear. After getting the car out of the alingment shop the handleing was great. Until I got on the freeway and up to 60mph. Darty amd squirrely as you mensioned. Well I thought it could be the shocks. VBP warned me about the use of stock KYB gas adjust shocks with the new fiberglass rear spring. I really wanted to try somthing else but funding just would not allow it. Well the DOT had a section of freeway repaved this summer and of course I had to try out the new surface. The car handeled fantastic straight as a arrow. I think the twitchy feeling is road ruts. Dont know what the cure would be for poor road surface but I really think its the way the car reacts to the ruts and not a poor alingment job. I am going to try a different shock and see if that helps.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,239
Likes: 74
From: Palatine, Peoples Republic of Illinois
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The "road rut" problem was real bad on my '70 especially after installing the rack and pinion steering. The steering systems on these cars was basically designed for bias ply tires. Radial tend to follow the ruts and the R&P makes it even worse.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Thanks for the suggestions guys, I think I've located most of my problem... the alignment guy I was using.
I only had time to drive it home {about 10 miles} but it drove and handled like a real car for the first time. I have to admit that I detest the sales department of our local Chevy dealership but the service guys did an excellent job on my car today. I hope to get some more play time tonight to try some interstate or twisties. So far I'm happy with progress. If I can put this suspension stuff behind me I can move on to more fun things like the gutless rebuilt L48.
I only had time to drive it home {about 10 miles} but it drove and handled like a real car for the first time. I have to admit that I detest the sales department of our local Chevy dealership but the service guys did an excellent job on my car today. I hope to get some more play time tonight to try some interstate or twisties. So far I'm happy with progress. If I can put this suspension stuff behind me I can move on to more fun things like the gutless rebuilt L48.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
The alignment is only as good as the technician doing the job. I've seen more than one technician dial in green on all adjustments, print the specs and then tighten the adjustments out-of-tolerance!
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 216
Likes: 1
From: columbia south carolina
i'm researching shops in the area because of course once i get all the bushings, ball joints and tie rod ends done it'll need aligning. someone told me that the local chevy dealer has a guy thats been working for gm 35 years and to go talk to him.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,495
Likes: 134
From: Blanco County, TX
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
I really like the surefooted feel with all the new front end parts.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 216
Likes: 1
From: columbia south carolina
there is a local shop near downtown columbia called Nuttalls tires and they not only have a couple of techs that know c-3's and earlier vettes but they have the machine that checks rims for out of roundness.