This is a pic from the evening it happened. The wheel isn't turned, as it may appear.

Recovered a bit, once I jacked it up to inspect and set it back down.





Finally got my '74 where I wanted it - or so I thought. Last night I went for a drive, turned a corner, heard a strange noise from the front of the car and immediately felt the car pull to the right. I thought I had a flat. I pulled over and was shocked to see the passenger side front tire "cambered" out significantly. I took a look this afternoon - thinking it was likely a tie rod issue - but it looked fine. There was nothing visually wrong - that I could see. While jacking the car, the wheel recovered to its original position - but placed under weight - it kicked out again. I'm not much of a mechanic - any hints on what to look for would be greatly appreciated.
I've learned a valuable lesson - the car is never done. Horrible pics are attached.

First off, thanks to all for taking a look, hints and advice! I certainly need and appreciate it. I've attached a few more pics. I haven't noticed any missing bolts or shims. I also don't see any obvious damage. As soon as I have a chance, I'll take the wheel off to see if that exposes anything. If any of you see anything off in the pics - my thanks in advance!

 

Hi ED,
Welcome!
First post!!!!
Sorry it has to be this sort of a question!
Is there any chance that the lug nuts weren't/aren't snugged up to the hub evenly and this has allowed the wheel to lean a little?
I see that floor jack there….If you could post a couple of pictures from under the car that would really enable folks to give you some help! (Be very careful getting under there to take the pictures if you don't have jack stands to support the care safely. Keep you body clear and just stick your arm and camera under the car.)
Seing the front suspension is needed to make more than just a guess.
Regards,
Alan

Your right…. the words 'done' and 'old Corvette' rarely appear in the same sentence!

 

Looks like the top is kicked in rather than the bottom kicked out. Take a good look at the upper ball joint and upper control arm.

 

And check the two bolts that connected the upper control arm to the frame. Are the camber shims and bolts still there?

 

 

If you can get your floor jack with a piece of wood on it and get it under the lower a frame, you could jack it up enough to get the frame on a jack stand and get the wheel off, Leaving the jack holding the collapsed suspension, then you could see what was collapsed with out having to guess. Its a good thing you weren't on the interstate.

 

I've added a few more pics...see my edited description to the original post. I'm having a difficult time navigating/posting with my mobile. Sorry!

 

Hi ED,
I think I would jack up the front of the car using your floor jack with a block of wood (a 6" piece of 2"x6") at the middle of the front front crossmember.
This will get the weight off the suspension and you should be able push on the wheel/tire to see where the movement is.
Maybe?
Regards,
Alan

Jack here and use the block of wood to protect the frame.
DO NOT get under the car if it's just on the jack. You MUST have jack stands in place if you're going to slide under the car.

 

Have you grabbed the tire and jerked it back and forth and top to bottom while its in the air

 

The best thing I can tell you is to remove the wheel, then get a rather large pry bar and wedge it in under the lower a-arm... The invite a beer buddy over while you move the pry bar to see what is moving and loose...

You could also place a jack stand on the frame and then use a floor jack under the a-arm to accomplish the same thing. All the above suggestions are good and the ball joints, the alignment shims, the control arm bushings are all places I'd check.

IMHO,

Willcox

 

had the two bolts break (on the upper control arm) after front end alignment one time on my Grand Prix, boy did that fell funny!

 

First just because you see grease, don't panic yet. Get a rag and wipe it off and see as to what condition the boots are all in! Someone might have just went crazy with the grease gun. The car probably needs an alignment, but if the ball joints are shot, then that is throwing some money away. I would reshim the top and get your toe and camber as close as possible upright and straight and then drive it to see if you have vibrations, shimmy, or any straight line ailment. Actually you have a heavy duty steering arm there, and the sway bushing look in decent shape, except for the rust elsewhere in the picture, and grime, and grease-- so I bet someone went thru this suspension not too long ago. Usually other than driving to get an idea of the age or wear of a balljoint, I just pop it off of the spindle and then see how loose they are! You guys with stock springs, be careful on that recommendation! Then get it to an alignment shop! Or you can go to the alignment shop now and be told how high your bill will be (not recommended)!

Also no comment on the stock suspension stuff (it is like why are people voting for Hillary, and those are probably the same people who keep the stock tie rods and stuff!). I guess if they can get the car down the road, then they stay happy! Minimally, I just buy some Coleman Racing to length hex rods to replace the tie rods and if on a budget use the stock rod ends! Those crappy clamps- what where they thinking!

 

I agree with Wilcox. Get a floor jack under the lower control arm and start prying with a big screwdriver or crowbar. You have to use some force to get things moving and the bad parts will only move a little bit. Maybe an 1/8 of an inch if the part is really wore. Give the wheel a juggle at the 12 and 6:00 position and 3:00 and 9:00 position with someone looking carefully with plenty of light. If you were able to physically see the wheel kicked out, that is very bad and I would not drive the car. Something is ready to give. My first guess is the lower ball joints are ready to pop apart. Keep in mind how the ball joints are set in the car. The weight of the car must be on the lower control arm and off the tire to see movement. Good luck, you'll find the problem. Check out some YouTube videos. They'll help you see what you are looking for.

 

There is your problem. The upper arm is floating around. You can see the damage where its hitting the fiberglass. Broken or loose bolts probably.

 

Did you open the hood and look at these?

 

While its collapsed and sitting awkward, put you jack under the A frame and jack it up to keep it collapsed, put a jack stand under the frame, then have someone slowly lower the A frame while you watch it. You should see what is broken move significantly

 

Alan, I really really hate your car? Do you have dinner parties under there? It's clean enough to eat off of. Also, I notice you have a quick jack. How do you like it and how high does it get your car up in the air?

I suspect you have a bad upper ball joint or the upper A arm has come loose.

 

So Ethan, what's the story on this? No way you haven't gotten to the bottom of this by now. Don't leave us hanging'!