Front end troubles
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Maynard Ma
Front end troubles
I have a real wierd situation going on.I have a 74 that I have replaced the entire front end on and I still have slop in the steering wheel and the car is all over the road when Im on the hiway.Its almost to the point where I dont want to drive it over 45 mph.
Here is what I replaced.
inner and outer tirods
Upper and lower controle arm bushings
Upper and lower ball joints
power steering controle valve(I think thats what it is called)
Steering box
Shocks and springs
Im running 225/60/15's and the car was alligned a month ago so I know that is all set.
If anyone has any sugestions on what I can look at next it would be a great help.
Thanks in advance!
Brad
Here is what I replaced.
inner and outer tirods
Upper and lower controle arm bushings
Upper and lower ball joints
power steering controle valve(I think thats what it is called)
Steering box
Shocks and springs
Im running 225/60/15's and the car was alligned a month ago so I know that is all set.
If anyone has any sugestions on what I can look at next it would be a great help.
Thanks in advance!
Brad
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 1
Re: Front end troubles (Brads74)
Brad,
You didn't mention the idler arm - part of the steering linkage.
And if you replaced the steering box and still have slop in the wheel, have you adjusted the box? Did you put on a new box? What about the flexible coupling? And I'm sure someone will suggest some particular alignment settings, vs. the toe-and-go that one might normally get in an alignment.
My steering was all over the place, too. I'm trying to finish up a suspension rebuild. I found a bad inner strut rod bushing on the driver's side rear suspension, and excessive end play in the driver's side rear wheel bearing. That with a sloppy steering box and a bent lower control arm shaft was probably giving me fits. If I'm not driving straight down the road after the alignment with this job, I'll be P-O'd too!
You didn't mention the idler arm - part of the steering linkage.
And if you replaced the steering box and still have slop in the wheel, have you adjusted the box? Did you put on a new box? What about the flexible coupling? And I'm sure someone will suggest some particular alignment settings, vs. the toe-and-go that one might normally get in an alignment.
My steering was all over the place, too. I'm trying to finish up a suspension rebuild. I found a bad inner strut rod bushing on the driver's side rear suspension, and excessive end play in the driver's side rear wheel bearing. That with a sloppy steering box and a bent lower control arm shaft was probably giving me fits. If I'm not driving straight down the road after the alignment with this job, I'll be P-O'd too!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 774
Likes: 0
From: Palatine IL
Re: Front end troubles (Brads74)
My guess is rear trailing arm bushings or a bad alignment. Get a Vette Brakes and Products catalog for the alignment settings. Good luck.
[Modified by vettesite, 10:40 AM 5/8/2002]
[Modified by vettesite, 10:40 AM 5/8/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,023
Likes: 2
From: TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Front end troubles (vettesite)
I understand that sloppy steering can actually be caused by rear end problems--I'd check those trailing arms and rear bearings.
JB
JB
