Steering problem.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Steering problem.
My 78 was driving as normal down the road, not too fast about 25-30 mph. I hit a small bump and the front wheels started bounding/wobbling back n forth, left n right. I thought i was going to wreck, the steering wheel was shaking.
I stopped the car and checked the wheels. I looked under the car too. Nothing seems wrong. I started to drive again and it seemed to steer just fine. I hit another small bump and the same thing happened.
Curt
I stopped the car and checked the wheels. I looked under the car too. Nothing seems wrong. I started to drive again and it seemed to steer just fine. I hit another small bump and the same thing happened.
Curt
Racer
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 327
Likes: 75
From: west mi. / ms. gulf coast
I wouldn't be driving it until you find out what is causing that. You have something real loose. Jack up the front , put a jack stand under the frame, you can do 1 side at a time, grab the tire and try to move it back and forth. Could be a wheel bearing, tie rod end or steering.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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I would check your idler arms and tie rods. lower ball joints are common too. uppers hardly go bad
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Wow, that sounds like the 89-91ish Jeep cherokee death wobble. Those jeeps are known for that scary crap. They have allignment issues with caster or some such thing.
For the power steering, you cycle the wheel stop to stop like 20 or 40 times to get the air out. then make sure the valve balance is centered. You can find the procedure in the AIM i think, or on Willcox's site.
For the power steering, you cycle the wheel stop to stop like 20 or 40 times to get the air out. then make sure the valve balance is centered. You can find the procedure in the AIM i think, or on Willcox's site.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,809
From: Cool Northern Michigan
That death ride happened to me hours after one P.S. line was replaced. Never happened again after I did a "better" job of bleeding the air out.
With vehicles front on jackstands.
Start engine.
Turn steering wheel "Lock To Lock" 6-8 cycles.
Check fluid level again once the vehicle is on the ground.
With vehicles front on jackstands.
Start engine.
Turn steering wheel "Lock To Lock" 6-8 cycles.
Check fluid level again once the vehicle is on the ground.
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Aug 5, 2019 at 12:40 PM.
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
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From: Virginia
In addition to the easy suggestions above, I'd check your lower ball joints, and front wheel bearings. You may be able to tell by jacking the car off the ground, and yanking on the wheels (safely). Your best bet might be to take it to a Corvette or classic car mechanic, get the car on the lift, and get a second opinion. If you need all of your bushings replaced, it may not be one thing that fixes it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,809
From: Cool Northern Michigan
When the control valve and slave cylinder have equal line pressures, the wheels will stay straight. Equal pressure left, equal pressure right.
When an air pocket is introduced the bubble has to travel through the control valve, the lines, then on to the cylinder. If the bubble enters the "steer left assist" line, the "steer right assist" over compensates. Then the reverse happens. You will get the steering wheel shimmy effect until the air purges itself.
For some reason your control valve got confused as to where to send the fluid pressure. That's why I asked about recent PS repairs. Introducing air into the system.
When an air pocket is introduced the bubble has to travel through the control valve, the lines, then on to the cylinder. If the bubble enters the "steer left assist" line, the "steer right assist" over compensates. Then the reverse happens. You will get the steering wheel shimmy effect until the air purges itself.
For some reason your control valve got confused as to where to send the fluid pressure. That's why I asked about recent PS repairs. Introducing air into the system.