Alignment # 3 still off
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: Quincy MA
Alignment # 3 still off
Bought car in '07, alignment off to left, in '09 had alignment done at my work, still went off to left, '10 had different shop do alignment and power steering control valve - now off to the right - '11 left rear caliper seized, had replaced and an alignment, still goes off to the right... 
Has two new rear tires and two fronts are in fine shape, all tires match...
At this point, I'm thinking, adjust the power st eering control valve so car goes straight?
Thoughts??
Kevin
'74 coupe
Has two new rear tires and two fronts are in fine shape, all tires match...
At this point, I'm thinking, adjust the power st eering control valve so car goes straight?
Thoughts??
Kevin
'74 coupe
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,839
Likes: 45
From: nassau co. new york
first off i would not let anyone who does not eat drink and ( ) vettes touch my car.what little i know,(about c3's), is most likely volumes over the the avg. mechanic in most shops,and i'm boarder line loosing it. if everything in the suspension is not tight it ain't gonna happen.alignment must include all 4 wheels or don't bother.i used to catch huge flounder by you in the 70's.best of luck.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,733
Likes: 2,582
Are you testing this car on a 3 lane road in the center lane to avoid drifting caused by the road crown? Have you jacked up the front, turned the engine on, centered the wheel and checked if the wheels starting drifting to the right by themselves? Have the various shops checked tie rod ends, idler arm, ball joints, control arm bushings and wheel bearings?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,369
Likes: 103
From: Centerville Louisiana
I changed everything under mine steering box rag etc. still pulls a little to the right kinda have to fight it a little I'm thinking of doing the same as you. If I remember right the adjustment was a little touchy
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
I had a similar problem for many years. The pulling started after I replaced some front end components but didn't have the car aligned for a while. Driving with the alignment off seemed enough to ruin the tires though there was no visible evidence the tires were bad. I'm guessing a belt shift.
Years later I replaced all four tires and had a four wheel alignment done. Car drives straight as an arrow now. Much more pleasureable to drive without the subtle pull to one side...
Years later I replaced all four tires and had a four wheel alignment done. Car drives straight as an arrow now. Much more pleasureable to drive without the subtle pull to one side...
Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 581
Likes: 5
From: BC
As was said, ensure no looseness anywhere in the suspension.
Switch the tires side for side and see if the pull follows it. I'll bet it does.
Correct the steering valve problem, if there is one. Don't adjust it for a problem you haven't been able to find. Compensating for one problem by creating another is never a good idea.
The control valve is very easy to adjust. Front wheels off the ground and car properly blocked up. Pry the adjuster cap off and start the engine. Turn the adjuster nut until the wheels just start to turn by themselves. Measuring the amount you are turning the nut, turn it the opposite direction until the wheels start to turn the other way by themselves to the same degree as the first time. Now turn the adjusting nut back to the centre between those two points.
Adjusting the valve incorrectly will cause the steering to be overly easy (too much assist) in one direction and stiff in the other because the spool valve can not travel as far in the one direction as it does in the other.
Steveg
Switch the tires side for side and see if the pull follows it. I'll bet it does.
Correct the steering valve problem, if there is one. Don't adjust it for a problem you haven't been able to find. Compensating for one problem by creating another is never a good idea.
The control valve is very easy to adjust. Front wheels off the ground and car properly blocked up. Pry the adjuster cap off and start the engine. Turn the adjuster nut until the wheels just start to turn by themselves. Measuring the amount you are turning the nut, turn it the opposite direction until the wheels start to turn the other way by themselves to the same degree as the first time. Now turn the adjusting nut back to the centre between those two points.
Adjusting the valve incorrectly will cause the steering to be overly easy (too much assist) in one direction and stiff in the other because the spool valve can not travel as far in the one direction as it does in the other.
Steveg
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 39
From: Denver, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
http://www.vbandp.com/index.php?opti...man&Itemid=170
below documents, you will see alignment specs.. perhaps you can take this to your shops and have things adjusted correctly. i took mine to a random shop and they got it right the first time, sorry you are having this much trouble.
below documents, you will see alignment specs.. perhaps you can take this to your shops and have things adjusted correctly. i took mine to a random shop and they got it right the first time, sorry you are having this much trouble.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 511
Likes: 0
I agree. If you keep having the alignment checked and it is still off, the drift might not be the alignment. Other people have mentioned tires. Any of these things can cause drift.
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Pro
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 511
Likes: 0
Also - it is worth mentioning that a mechanic who takes the initiative to find out what is really wrong with your car is far more apt to be accused of making problems up than he is to be thanked for finding problems you didn't know existed. Because of this, many otherwise good mechanics will do exactly what they are told to do and will NOT look deeper. If you tell your mechanic to fix check your alignment, it's a good guess your car will be properly aligned when you get back, but it is less certain that alignment really was the problem. If you want the mechanic to troubleshoot, then tell him what the symptom is and let him figure out on his own how to fix it...
