Wandering c3 Vette
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,413
Likes: 1,552
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Rear trailing arms
Bushings.
People often overlook the back of the car when thinking about problems like this.
You wouldn't be the first person who replaced and aligned everything up front ....... and then found the real problem was in the idea that it was the back wheels that were all over the place.
Replaced both arms completely just so we wouldn't have to deal with this again but when the bushings in the front of your trailing arms go bad like mine were.......the car drives EXACTLY like what you are describing.
Bushings.
People often overlook the back of the car when thinking about problems like this.
You wouldn't be the first person who replaced and aligned everything up front ....... and then found the real problem was in the idea that it was the back wheels that were all over the place.
Replaced both arms completely just so we wouldn't have to deal with this again but when the bushings in the front of your trailing arms go bad like mine were.......the car drives EXACTLY like what you are describing.
Worn bushings will send your Vette sideways when you floor it if they are worn. PG.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 6
From: Tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '12
When I got my car, the rag joint (Steering Coupler) was so worn, the metal in the couple assembly would move from one side all the way to the other.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 703
Likes: 2
I currently have the exact same problem.. I took it in for an alighnment and it didnt change a anything.. It was real scary when I had some play in the wheel but I replaced my control valve and pitman arm, which fixed the play in the wheel but it still wonders bad..
I wonder if thats my problem too.. When I launch my car from a standstill, sometimes it will veer hard to the left, like my front tires just came off the ground..
Worn bushings will send your Vette sideways when you floor it if they are worn. PG.
Last edited by Fishndude; Aug 21, 2009 at 10:27 AM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
I Bought a vbp anti bump steer kit and am going to put it in.. I know they will give directions to do it but I like to be prepaired.. Can any one enlighten me with how to do it and maybe a couple of pics of a car with them on it?? Thanks for all the help guys..
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Caledon Ont
has the car been sitting for a while, and how is your steering return after you turn a regular corner? if you have an issue with the return check the little u joints on the steering shaft, and they can also cause slack in the wheel if they are worn. The could be ceased this would cause a steering return issue and possible wander
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Ya im sure it sat but I replaced everything in the front end and it still darts right after going over a bump.. Wanders a bit too. I am now moving on to replace all the bushings in the rear also.. that means everything in the car is new Hope it fixes the problem or its a waste of alot of money...
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Well put whole new poly front end in, even a new rag joint everything is tight.. Still wanders and veeres to the right... When I really tromp on it, it wants to go right really hard and is all over the place... I am moving on to the rear I am crossing my fingers..
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Advanced
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
I had a little of that going on, what I did was I got a good vette guy to do a aligement he spent a lot time on the rear, he changed out all of the old shims with new ones. he did a lot of road testing and adjusting I don't recall the settings. I'll look on my paper work if I find something I'll pass it on. In my case the rear axel was the problem.
wtbrs123
wtbrs123
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
I had a little of that going on, what I did was I got a good vette guy to do a aligement he spent a lot time on the rear, he changed out all of the old shims with new ones. he did a lot of road testing and adjusting I don't recall the settings. I'll look on my paper work if I find something I'll pass it on. In my case the rear axel was the problem.
wtbrs123
wtbrs123
Pro
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 703
Likes: 2
Me to, just havent gotten around to tearing it apart yet because I might have to install offset trailing arms due to my new tires so there is no sense in replacing just the bushings at this time.
Advanced
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Port Washington Wi
Read Jim Shea's paper on adjusting the steering gear. You have to be careful , e.g. making sure it's centered before tightening the screw, with it or it will lock up. Also make sure it has grease in it before your start.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 703
Likes: 2
Did you find out exactly where the problem was coming from on the rear?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Trailing arm bushings were quite worn and so where the stabalizer bars on the bottom of the trailing arms...I still haven't put in my anti bump steering kit yet but am going to do so tonight.. I hear it will make a huge difference..
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
Be very careful adjusting the nut on the steering gearbox. Done improperly the gearbox can easily become damaged. This is one of two adjustments on the gearbox. In my experience, this has never solved the bumpsteer and tramlining conditions you are describing.
Given fresh ball joints, a arm bushes, and tie rod ends, generally those conditions are addressed most effectively by (in order of effectiveness):
Given fresh ball joints, a arm bushes, and tie rod ends, generally those conditions are addressed most effectively by (in order of effectiveness):
- changing to different tires (usually a bit narrower, not always)
- increasing the toe-in
- increasing the camber
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
I got my Vette out another mechanic and he noticed the valve on the centerlink has a bit of play in it.. It is a new valve and I don't know if there is suppossed to be a touch of play in it or not.. Does anyone know how much play should be in the valve conected to the pitman arm?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,821
Likes: 204
From: Lincoln CA
+1 on the shock replacement. My BB was absolutely scary in freeway speed turns. It would wander. I replaced the shocks with KYB Gas-A-Justs and the problem went away.