hyper sensitive steering?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: san diego ca
hyper sensitive steering?
My '73 vert has always been a bit overly sensitive to bumps in the road and counter steering (at least for the 6 years that I've owned it). The normal "slop" in the steering wheel while driving is no problem. But whenever I hit a rut in the road, or drive over some other abnormality, my vette seems to just about jump in the wrong direction! Is this just what a 30 year old car is all about, and others live with it? Has newer technology found a way to fix/compensate for this? Or is there some rubber bushings in the steering/suspension that are seriously warn and could cause this?
It is bad enough that it almost takes some of the fun out of driving my baby. Any thoughts? I'm a weekend warrior when it comes to mechanic work, but clueless when it comes to this subsystem.
Thanks for any info.
It is bad enough that it almost takes some of the fun out of driving my baby. Any thoughts? I'm a weekend warrior when it comes to mechanic work, but clueless when it comes to this subsystem.
Thanks for any info.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
It should go without saying that what you're experiencing is abnormal and is well outside the engineering of a serviceable suspension and steering system.
If you do not have the knowledge and the ability to do this yourself, you need to get the car to a suspension, or better -a Corvette specialist.
It could be worn components (which ones is where experience and knowledge pay off) or something as simple as a bad alignment.
If you want to approach the diagnostics outside of a Corvette specialist, I suggest you take the car to a reputable alignment shop (not like Brake Check who, for the most part, uses McDonald's and Pep Boys washouts). That way you can at least start with their inspection and if nothing is too worn, a good alignment. That may fix your issue. If the car can't be aligned, they'll tell you why and you go on from there.
No one here can tell you what's causing your car to do this. It could be anything from a low tire to a broken and bent frame.
If you do not have the knowledge and the ability to do this yourself, you need to get the car to a suspension, or better -a Corvette specialist.
It could be worn components (which ones is where experience and knowledge pay off) or something as simple as a bad alignment.
If you want to approach the diagnostics outside of a Corvette specialist, I suggest you take the car to a reputable alignment shop (not like Brake Check who, for the most part, uses McDonald's and Pep Boys washouts). That way you can at least start with their inspection and if nothing is too worn, a good alignment. That may fix your issue. If the car can't be aligned, they'll tell you why and you go on from there.
No one here can tell you what's causing your car to do this. It could be anything from a low tire to a broken and bent frame.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: san diego ca
Thanks for the info.
I don't mind the teardown and replacing components, just don't know what pieces to start looking at.
The tires appear to be fine - balanced, always full, no irregular wear patterns. An alignment is easy enough, and probably a good start.
I don't mind the teardown and replacing components, just don't know what pieces to start looking at.
The tires appear to be fine - balanced, always full, no irregular wear patterns. An alignment is easy enough, and probably a good start.
C6 the C5 of tomorrow
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,665
Likes: 2
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
Wide stiff tires, manual steering, worn power steering valve all contribute to the rut following you describe. Technically it's called Tramlining.
All cars do it to some degree, some things, like wide tires, make it more apparent.
Good solid power steering helps a lot by swamping out the feedback...
All cars do it to some degree, some things, like wide tires, make it more apparent.
Good solid power steering helps a lot by swamping out the feedback...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
Originally Posted by johnnybrewmeister
My '73 vert has always been a bit overly sensitive to bumps in the road and counter steering (at least for the 6 years that I've owned it). The normal "slop" in the steering wheel while driving is no problem. But whenever I hit a rut in the road, or drive over some other abnormality, my vette seems to just about jump in the wrong direction! ...
I agree with Gerry and big_G.... But if you wait long enough, folks here will have you change every front end component as well as a few in the rear, at least once. Get a very reputable shop to perform an alignment and they will either perform the alignment and solve your problem or they will give you a list of those components that need replacement. With this list, you will know what you can do yourself and what you need to farm out if anything.
If you're not sure of who to take it to, look for a shop that specializes in straightening frames. They can either do it themselves or will send you to a shop that they trust. Opinions on alignment shops are very often like opinions on fast food, but these folks stake their professional reputation on the quality of the work.
GUSTO
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,053
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '03,'11
some alignment shops like to set the toe at 0 to minimize tire wear when you really need to have some toe in. Starting at 0 will give a little toe out when at speed which can cause a very twitchy feeling.
Make sure everything is tight and have the alignment shop give you the amount of toe in in the spec and maybe just a little more. The front tires may wear a little more but its more important to have a feel you are comfortable with. Tires for our cars are cheap.
Make sure everything is tight and have the alignment shop give you the amount of toe in in the spec and maybe just a little more. The front tires may wear a little more but its more important to have a feel you are comfortable with. Tires for our cars are cheap.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 5
From: Minnesota
Originally Posted by turtlevette
Make sure everything is tight and have the alignment shop give you the amount of toe in in the spec and maybe just a little more.
Make sure the shocks are OK too.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
Originally Posted by David Ey
Complete (less springs) front end rebuild and my '78 seems to be really quick steering.....I mean really quick. Not loose at all. Is this normal? I do have 255's on the front.
If you feel the car isn't normal, then I suggest you take the car to a good alignment shop(a different one than the one that did your current alignment) and have it checked.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
I call it walking. Mine did it. You never knew where you would end up after hitting a bump or dip in the road. It turned out being my shocks. Easy to check...when you push down over each fender. Does it bounce? Or just spring up? It should not bounce..not at all. Any sweat on the shock where the two pieces join? If there is the seals are gone.
Jim
Jim
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,167
Likes: 2
From: Ft.Worth Texas
I would describe it as responsive and very controlable. I wondered if the ratio was closer than other GM cars and trucks. May be because the driver is slightly closer to the wheel centers than what I am used to. I guess if I were directly above the wheels I would think it was much quicker. Thanks Gerry....and JD
