Steering ?????

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Mar 23, 2007 | 03:18 PM

Tim81

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 1,058

Likes: 27

From: Eastern North Carolina

Steering ?????

I have an 81 that seems to steer just fine except after turning left or right the steering wheel tries but does not return on its own. Its kinda like driving a go-kart. Any respond from all you veteran vette owners out there will be appreciated.

Mar 23, 2007 | 06:53 PM

Durango_Boy

Team Owner

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 24,125

Likes: 15

From: Columbia Missouri

There may be something binding, either in the column or under with the suspension. Also, if the steering control valve needs adjustment or rebuilding it may exhibit some of the mentioned symptoms.

Mar 23, 2007 | 07:55 PM

Tommy Samuels

Racer

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 325

Likes: 0

From: Ocala FL

Could be incorrect caster angle or something in a bind like DB mentioned.

Mar 23, 2007 | 07:56 PM

Jim Shea

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jul 2000

Posts: 6,001

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From: Saginaw Michigan

It would really be helpful to have some more information. You just bought the car? You have just changed the ball joints? You have just changed the steering gear? You have owned it for a long time and it always has had poor returnability? It just started having this problem? ETC......

Jim

Mar 23, 2007 | 10:04 PM

Tim81

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 1,058

Likes: 27

From: Eastern North Carolina

Thanks Guys, I 've owned the car since August 06, The front-end is new including the upr and lwr control arms. I'm thinking that it may be the caster because I don't think the guy who did the front-end ever had it aligned. The driver side doesn't have any spacers what so ever and the right side just has a couple very thin spacers. By looking at the wear on the front tires it appears that the camber may be to positive. I rebuilt the control valve myself and adjusted it to neutral. The car goes down the rode just fine and except for the returnability problem you wouldn't know that anything is wrong. The car has been this way since I've owned it.

Mar 24, 2007 | 02:29 PM

dannyman

Melting Slicks

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 2,669

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From: Kingston Ontario

Unless you're prepared to do an alignment yourself, why wouldn't you just take it in to an alignment shop and have it set up?

At the very least; you would now have a reference point.

Mar 24, 2007 | 03:39 PM

cchristo

Pro

Joined: Sep 2002

Posts: 620

Likes: 2

From: San Antonio TX

Assuming all parts are in good working order, steering return is primarily a function of caster, if I'm not mistaken.

If the wheel is turning easily, without any "notchiness" throughout the range, it's probably not something binding or rubbing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim81

Mar 24, 2007 | 04:59 PM

Tim81

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 1,058

Likes: 27

From: Eastern North Carolina

Ok I just completed doing the front-end alignment myself. I'm not sure if I adjusted the caster correctly, but I must say the steering, including the returnability is much better. I was thinking about having the shop check it out for me when I buy new tires ,but now that it seems right I don't want anything to screw it up. Thanks everyone for the information.