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Front end troubleshooting.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 931
Likes: 0
From: THE Eastern Shore Maryland
Front end troubleshooting.
Wow, finally put my car on the ground for the first time in about 3 or so...it was nice to drive it again.
I will post some pics soon, really didn't do anything major, just the front sway bar links, the rear pinion bushing, which BTW seems to have fixed the clanking when going into reverse, thanks everyone...
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Just mostly taking things apart and checking things out...trying to detail some too. I had the door panels off, most of the interior panels,bled the brakes, just a bunch of small work all around. Tried to take note of items that will need to be repaired in the future.
One thing I noticed was the A frame or control arm bushings didn't look to be in good shape. That said I have a few front end problems that need to be addressed.
When driving and you let go of the steering wheel it wants to go left, even more so when you hit the brakes.
The ball joints looked good, when I had it in the air and did the tire movement deal there wasn't any play, so is the above a sign of control arm problems?
I have some other clanking when going over bumps, I will have to figure out what that is too.
I will post some pics soon, really didn't do anything major, just the front sway bar links, the rear pinion bushing, which BTW seems to have fixed the clanking when going into reverse, thanks everyone...
. Just mostly taking things apart and checking things out...trying to detail some too. I had the door panels off, most of the interior panels,bled the brakes, just a bunch of small work all around. Tried to take note of items that will need to be repaired in the future.
One thing I noticed was the A frame or control arm bushings didn't look to be in good shape. That said I have a few front end problems that need to be addressed.
When driving and you let go of the steering wheel it wants to go left, even more so when you hit the brakes.
The ball joints looked good, when I had it in the air and did the tire movement deal there wasn't any play, so is the above a sign of control arm problems?
I have some other clanking when going over bumps, I will have to figure out what that is too.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
Same thing happened to me. Pulled to the right, though. We all know what happened then; started the frame off resto!!!
Alignment time.
Alignment time.
Last edited by dannyman; Mar 4, 2007 at 06:30 PM. Reason: add
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 450
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From: Alexandria Va
Carefull on the suspension. I'm rebuilding mine and had to replace just about everything including the fasteners. While I was at it I replaced the engine. C3 Corvettes are like old sweaters; once you pull that loose string the whole thing unravels. Good luck.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: San Antonio TX
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,229
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From: Philo Illinois
I agree !! I am putting a new cam, heads and intake on and while having the radiator out I looked at the bushings in my A arms and now I am going to rebuild that, oh yes and I forgot when I pulled the radiator, the support looks pretty rusty. Just money and time, but I love my C-3.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Alexandria Va
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Glad the clunk in the rear end is fixed. Now, the pull is most likely the alignment, caused by bad bushings like everyone is saying. But it could also be the control valve needs balancing. One way to check this is put the front end on jack stands and start the car. The wheels should stay pointed straight ahead. If they move to the left, you need to balance the control valve.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 931
Likes: 0
From: THE Eastern Shore Maryland
Hey Eddie, I already had it on jackstands and had it running several times, with tires on sometimes and the tires always stayed straight.
Guess its bushings, yikes....I'm almost wanting to have a shop do it as I've spent so much time under the car for the past 3 weeks, I dunno. Maybe in a few days I will miss being underneath it and do it myself.
Guess its bushings, yikes....I'm almost wanting to have a shop do it as I've spent so much time under the car for the past 3 weeks, I dunno. Maybe in a few days I will miss being underneath it and do it myself.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,202
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From: cincinnati ohio
St. Jude Donor '09
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 596
Likes: 1
You may have a little rotor run-out on your left front. That can pull, and applying the brakes can make it pull more. Just a thought.
In my opinion, A-arm bushings are not as critical as ball joints and tierods. They may look like hell, but as long as they are settled in and don't have obvious play, they wont affect straight-line tracking as you have described.
In my opinion, A-arm bushings are not as critical as ball joints and tierods. They may look like hell, but as long as they are settled in and don't have obvious play, they wont affect straight-line tracking as you have described.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 931
Likes: 0
From: THE Eastern Shore Maryland
You may have a little rotor run-out on your left front. That can pull, and applying the brakes can make it pull more. Just a thought.
In my opinion, A-arm bushings are not as critical as ball joints and tierods. They may look like hell, but as long as they are settled in and don't have obvious play, they wont affect straight-line tracking as you have described.
In my opinion, A-arm bushings are not as critical as ball joints and tierods. They may look like hell, but as long as they are settled in and don't have obvious play, they wont affect straight-line tracking as you have described.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: McKinney TX
I had the same trouble. I tried the steering control valve air pressure and alignment. I even tried swapping the front tires. I ended up doing a full rebuild of the front end suspension(I already rebuilt the rear). Don't forget to check the rear. If you have an alignment problem in the rear it can cause the rear to walk out causing the car to go left.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 931
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From: THE Eastern Shore Maryland