'77 Coupe has poor handling
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Kent Wa
'77 Coupe has poor handling
My '77 'Vette coupe just does not handle well at freeway speeds. It "oversteers" and is "twitchy". Someone asked if the car "darts" and I would have to say no. I rebuilt and replace the front suspension. I have the wheels alligned to specs recommended on this forum. It still is no fun to drive at speeds over 50 mph.
The car does have over-wide tires - I can't justify spending alot of $$ for new tires as en experiment. Does anyone have ideas?
Thank you.
Kim Nicholas
Seattle
The car does have over-wide tires - I can't justify spending alot of $$ for new tires as en experiment. Does anyone have ideas?
Thank you.
Kim Nicholas
Seattle
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: Fremont,CA
Originally Posted by KNicholas2
My '77 'Vette coupe just does not handle well at freeway speeds. It "oversteers" and is "twitchy". Someone asked if the car "darts" and I would have to say no. I rebuilt and replace the front suspension. I have the wheels alligned to specs recommended on this forum. It still is no fun to drive at speeds over 50 mph.
The car does have over-wide tires - I can't justify spending alot of $$ for new tires as en experiment. Does anyone have ideas?
Thank you.
Kim Nicholas
Seattle
The car does have over-wide tires - I can't justify spending alot of $$ for new tires as en experiment. Does anyone have ideas?
Thank you.
Kim Nicholas
Seattle
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
That sounds like a power steering issue. My car did some of that, it turned out the problem was actually a worn-out rag joint, which would let the steering move around a bit while the wheel remained steady. Check over your whole steering system, or have a competent shop do so.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,177
Likes: 3,995
From: Connecticut, USA
Also check the rear suspension and diff yokes. I had completely worn yokes years ago and the car would shift going down the highway at 65 mph, I could feel the azz end move!
Gary
Gary
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 292
Likes: 2
From: Plumas Lake CA
My '70 showed similar symptoms until I put new wheels and tires on. The car drives pretty sweet now, compared to before. I replaced some very dated Mickey Thompson Indy Profiles with 335/35/17's in back and 255/45/17 up front, all mounted on ZR1 style wheels. I really didn't expect the improvement in ride and steering. The car used to be "scary-twitchy", for lack of a better description. It also bounced all over the place. Smooth as glass now compared to before. Just my 2 cents.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,503
Likes: 2
From: Raleigh NC
The '77 is one of the best handling, best balanced C3 there is. Just start replacing everything in the steering and suspension and you'll be amazed on how well it can do. And for not that much money either if you don't mind doing it yourself.
My '77 handles better than my Mits 3000GT VR4.
My '77 handles better than my Mits 3000GT VR4.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by PhotoVette1
. ......My '77 handles better than my Mits 3000GT VR4.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Kent Wa
I have tried most of these...
Thanks to all that replied with suggestions. I HAVE replaced the idler arms, the front bushings, the ball joints, the fiber couple, the power steering control valve and probably other stuff I can;t think of. I have not changed the steering box or tires. Do I need to address these?
Kim Nicholas
Kim Nicholas
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
Have you had the alignment checked? With exceptionally wide tires on the front sometimes a good alignment can help. Toe is very critical when you run very wide tires on the front.
We put 225/50's on my son's Toyota Tacoma from original 205/70's and the front became much more twitchy unless on the smoothest of roads. In the winter we replace them with the originals and it tracks well again.
Good luck... GUSTO
We put 225/50's on my son's Toyota Tacoma from original 205/70's and the front became much more twitchy unless on the smoothest of roads. In the winter we replace them with the originals and it tracks well again.
Good luck... GUSTO
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 603
Likes: 2
From: Illinois, USA
These posts have given me a few ideas of things I should check out in my steering setup ...as my car tends to "drift", but it's something that I attributed to the tendencies of a non-rack type steering. The tires on my '77 are at pressure, but they are slightly wider than stock (I think), but they are the same all around.
Is the steering with the cylinder on the Vette's more "solid" than the typical 70's recirc ball type?
Is it just me, or is the cap on the power steering fluid tank in a freakin' impossible place to check the level?
Brian.
Is the steering with the cylinder on the Vette's more "solid" than the typical 70's recirc ball type?
Is it just me, or is the cap on the power steering fluid tank in a freakin' impossible place to check the level?
Brian.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Novelty OH
Originally Posted by C3nMe
These posts have given me a few ideas of things I should check out in my steering setup ...as my car tends to "drift", but it's something that I attributed to the tendencies of a non-rack type steering. The tires on my '77 are at pressure, but they are slightly wider than stock (I think), but they are the same all around.
Is the steering with the cylinder on the Vette's more "solid" than the typical 70's recirc ball type?
Is it just me, or is the cap on the power steering fluid tank in a freakin' impossible place to check the level?
Brian.
Is the steering with the cylinder on the Vette's more "solid" than the typical 70's recirc ball type?
Is it just me, or is the cap on the power steering fluid tank in a freakin' impossible place to check the level?
Brian.
Yes it's impossible depending on what belt you have on there etc. Mine is impossible. i just loosen the alternator. Someday I'll get a shorter belt.
-Matt
Pro
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 545
Likes: 0
From: Waukesha WI
There is a spring you can change out in the power steering control valve that gives it more feel. I was about to do this when told to try more Caster. It worked great. Not only did it fix the problem you discribe, but it made the feel and wheel return better at lower speeds as well.