brassplyer

Been driving my '80 to work, I was surprised to find that if there's a car in the space to my right, it doesn't cut sharply enough to make the turn into the parking space in the parking garage which various other cars - an F-150, Explorer, Toyota Cressida have no problem doing. I have to back up and change my angle to make it into the space. Is this just a characteristic of the Vette?

derekderek

Does it turn til the tires rub in the other direction? Best bet something wrong, or put together wrong with the steering. Get the car on stands and have somebody work wheel back and forth while taking pics. Also, the angle of pitman arm and idler arm when wheels are straight. Take tires off and count turns lock to lock. See if less with tires installed

Bikespace

Are you saying that F-150 pulls into the spot? I call shenanigans. 7 out of 7 full sized trucks in the parking lot I can see have backed into their spots. My Corvette and my truck both get backed into spots. Give it a try!

L-46man

Have you 'up-graded' the tires from STOCK/DESIGNED TO NOT RUB 225/60/15 to 255's? The 82 CE has the latter as stock, but the fender areas and rocker panels are modified at the factory to fit these tire specifically.

2. Has anyone put earlier model knuckles in the car, you know, the ones with two tie rod holes? Fast ratio and slow ratio?

80 vette 40' turning radius

unkahal

brassplyer

The previous owner put 255/60/R15 Cooper Cobra Radial GT's on it. I was unaware of the issue you mention. So these tires are too fat for the fender wells?

From the looks of them they probably don't have 1000 miles on them. I won't be in a hurry to replace them if I don't have to.

Will have to see if the tires rub.

brassplyer

I'm saying that. Now, it's on a curve so the spaces have a bit of a "V" shape instead of being parallel.

I did finally find a trajectory that let me do it with the Vette, I had to get way over to the right and angled a bit out but made it.

From another response it may be that the tires are impinging the fender wells, I'll have to do more exploration.

Gixxerman

You will feel right at home with a C7 Z06, they have pretty poor turning radius as well...maybe they did that for nostalgia? lol

Bikespace

You may have a rub, which will be easy to see evidence of if you take off the wheels. Bubble-window C3s had their fenders trimmed at the factory for 255/60R15 tires, so it is unlikely that you have that problem.

If you can, get the front up on ramps, since you want the suspension loaded to really see what is going on. It is possible that the tire is hitting the fender, but I bet you'd hear that. The frame is smooth where the tire would rub, you'll see evidence on the tire, and on the frame (probably towards the rear of the car).

The other things that can limit your turn radius are the stubs intentionally welded onto the rear of the lower control arms (these purposefully limit steering, to prevent rubbing). Replacement lower ball joints may come with studs that limit steering at the front of the lower control arm (or rear, I s'pose).

Finally, and this is the most annoying option, your steering wheel may not be centered to your wheels. There are countless threads on what to do in this case (look for threads by GTR1999 and/or Jim Shea, if that ends up being the problem). It could be a simple alignment, or evidence of a prior accident, or who knows what.

Finally, finally, it may all be your expectations. These cars do not have a tight turning radius.

Oh, and pictures would help!

derekderek

Just dump the clutch and do a quickie 1/4 doughnut...

jim2527

C3 turning radius is a tick under 40 feet
F150 turning radius is as low as 20 and a tick
My Lexus RC is 17 and a tick