Wandering!!!(revisited)
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,660
Likes: 3
From: South Central Louisiana
St. Jude Contributor
Wandering!!!(revisited)
Ok, when I first posted this problem I was advised to take out steering lash and have car realligned. Did both and neither really helped much. Toe in was off and that was causing some hard steering but didn't effect the wander that much. Allignment man said all steering components check out great for a 32 year old car. Both he and a friend of mine say I will have that problem with the 255/60's on the front, whether the car is new or old, due to our roads here in the swamp land. Roads with any age tend to form tracks on each side. Car doesn't do it on new highways.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,280
Likes: 0
From: colorado springs CO
Re: Wandering!!!(revisited) (71,454,4spd)
hello
i have 255 60 15's....
just replaced my steering gear and my car doesnt wander!!!
almost no play in stearing wheel now...
all front end parts are new (including arm bushings and rag joint)....
on the highway it is even better, i can actually take both hands off the wheel for a length period of time (okay am i the only one that tries to do that?? :jester ) and she goes nice and straight!!
dunno if i would trust what someone else says... too many bubba mechanics out there!!!!
id get down and dirty and do the quick front end tests myself...
check those a-arm bushings...
swap out those flimsy tie rod sleeves for HD ones...
good luck!
:)
i have 255 60 15's....
just replaced my steering gear and my car doesnt wander!!!
almost no play in stearing wheel now...
all front end parts are new (including arm bushings and rag joint)....
on the highway it is even better, i can actually take both hands off the wheel for a length period of time (okay am i the only one that tries to do that?? :jester ) and she goes nice and straight!!
dunno if i would trust what someone else says... too many bubba mechanics out there!!!!
id get down and dirty and do the quick front end tests myself...
check those a-arm bushings...
swap out those flimsy tie rod sleeves for HD ones...
good luck!
:)
Racer
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: Scott AFB IL
Re: Wandering!!!(revisited) (daily_driver)
ditto on daily driver, was all over road, thought it was the groves and tire size combo.... rebuilt entire front end... WOW... 130 with 2 fingers...... passengers now ask me to please use two hands...... I say "only if it will make you feel better...."
get under there and start yanking, the front end that is... look for fwd/aft and side/side movement...
great kits in JEGS.... http://www.jegs.com
good luck,
kafty
get under there and start yanking, the front end that is... look for fwd/aft and side/side movement...
great kits in JEGS.... http://www.jegs.com
good luck,
kafty
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
From: Jasper, GA
Re: Wandering!!!(revisited) (71,454,4spd)
It's what you do not see that is causing it. The two hardestthings to diagnose is the steering box and the rag joint. The rag joint may look good..(for 30 whatever yrs old) but.... if it is oil soaked, or just plain worn ... it will cause this problem more than you know! If you do replace it, do yourself a favor and do NOT buy the universal fit one from a local parts store... purchase one from one of the many reputable Vette suppliers that comes in one piece. Next thing is the steering box... easiest way to check this is to have the car running...(if it has PS) and very slowly turn the wheel back and forth as you make the complete turning cycle lock to lock. if you have any spots at all that have no movement in the wheels as you do this, you have a worn spot on the worm fgear and the steering box needs to be replaced. I am speaking from experience here, I had the same problem and I changed everything and still it wandered around... finally changed the steering box... and NO MORE WANDER!!! :D :smash: :cheers: :seeya
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,427
Likes: 1
From: Boxford Mass
Re: Wandering!!!(revisited) (Torcher)
Problem *may* be in the back too. I had wandering problem on back roads that had a slight pitch. I replaced the rear camber rods with HD ones as daily driver recommended. Solved the problem. I would think that the rag joint and steering box would would be suspect if steering was sloppy. I'd jack up the car and check for top-to-bottom & side-to-side tire movement movement first.
I also read somewhere that bigger tires may require different alignment specs. It might have been in the Vette Brakes & Products catalog.
Just some more ideas for you...
I also read somewhere that bigger tires may require different alignment specs. It might have been in the Vette Brakes & Products catalog.
Just some more ideas for you...
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
From: Jasper, GA
Re: Wandering!!!(revisited) (74jack)
That would be true if the the car wandered all the time, but it was noted that it did not do it on the highway. I know exactly what you are talking about if the rear is out because I had that too when I replaced the rear suspension and it was out of spec... also, by "wiggling" tires up and down back and forth.. you will NOT find a bad spot in the steering box or the rag joint... just FYI. :)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,175
Likes: 56
From: Clarence N.Y.
Re: Wandering!!!(revisited) (71,454,4spd)
I also have the same condition and want to remedy it. I was thinking
of a reman strg box but Iam somewhat leary of a rebuilt. Anyone have
suggestions regarding price and availability of a new unit? Thanks
of a reman strg box but Iam somewhat leary of a rebuilt. Anyone have
suggestions regarding price and availability of a new unit? Thanks
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,427
Likes: 1
From: Boxford Mass
Re: Wandering!!!(revisited) (Torcher)
Torcher:
My rear wheels had a ton of play but drove straight as an arrow on a flat highway. Changing lanes at 70mph was very ugly. I attributed this to rear wheels coming in and out of true. Anyway, the adjustable strut rods cured my problem. I guess there a lot of reasons a C3 won't go straight. :)
My rear wheels had a ton of play but drove straight as an arrow on a flat highway. Changing lanes at 70mph was very ugly. I attributed this to rear wheels coming in and out of true. Anyway, the adjustable strut rods cured my problem. I guess there a lot of reasons a C3 won't go straight. :)