Steering woes!
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
Steering woes!
I am having a night mare with the steering on my vette. it feels so sloppy - just wanders all over the place. I have systematically changed loads on the front end but nothing on the rear yet
Changed the front:
All bushes (on wishbone - anti roll - absolutbley everything)
new tie rods both sides
new ball joints all round
wheel bearings are perfect
replaced steering box with borgeson 600 which has zero play at centre (bought from here https://www.summitracing.com/int/par...9032/overview/)
My only observations are that if I move the steering, the chassis has an incy bit of flex that even budges the engine mount a bit. but Im guessing as the car is stationary this is due to a huge force from the power steering and probably normal? or should it be rock solid?
I have checked the rears for bearings and bush play but cant find anything.
Does anyone have any suggestions before I lose it and whack a c4 chassis in it [img]data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7[/img]
cheers
Changed the front:
All bushes (on wishbone - anti roll - absolutbley everything)
new tie rods both sides
new ball joints all round
wheel bearings are perfect
replaced steering box with borgeson 600 which has zero play at centre (bought from here https://www.summitracing.com/int/par...9032/overview/)
My only observations are that if I move the steering, the chassis has an incy bit of flex that even budges the engine mount a bit. but Im guessing as the car is stationary this is due to a huge force from the power steering and probably normal? or should it be rock solid?
I have checked the rears for bearings and bush play but cant find anything.
Does anyone have any suggestions before I lose it and whack a c4 chassis in it [img]data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7[/img]
cheers
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,857
Likes: 332
From: Cartersville GA
I have to assume that you have had it aligned after all the front end work....? Sounds like the front bushings in the trailing arms are shot. Does it want to fishtail when you hit the gas....?
Brian
Brian
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
Yes shes been alined and apart from minor changes wasnt too far off as have a home laser system.
Thanks, i will check them later- i did replace them during a full rebuild a few years ago but probably was cheap joints.
If i remember right it uses the prop shaft for the suspension too?
Thanks, i will check them later- i did replace them during a full rebuild a few years ago but probably was cheap joints.
If i remember right it uses the prop shaft for the suspension too?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,335
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
I wouldn't hurt if you added what year your car is (and engine + transmission) to your profile so we know what you're working with
I agree with Wee, if the front is tight, there's a handful of stuff in the rear that will let it chase around, start with the TA bushings, also check the amount of pullout on the differential side yokes (affects the camber but it will also have some affect on the toe) and the bushings on the strut rods
M
I agree with Wee, if the front is tight, there's a handful of stuff in the rear that will let it chase around, start with the TA bushings, also check the amount of pullout on the differential side yokes (affects the camber but it will also have some affect on the toe) and the bushings on the strut rods
M
Last edited by Mooser; Aug 22, 2019 at 08:13 AM.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
my apologies she is a 79' 5.7 with a 700R4 tranny running 3.19 (i think) diff!
I think it got worse when I put 275.60.15's on the rear so this makes sense
Ill check later, I cant remember what stops the diff yolks from being pulled out - I know they rest on a central pin in the middle of the diff as had to replace one
cheers
I think it got worse when I put 275.60.15's on the rear so this makes sense
Ill check later, I cant remember what stops the diff yolks from being pulled out - I know they rest on a central pin in the middle of the diff as had to replace one
cheers
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,335
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
There are C type clips on the inside preventing them from sliding out, usually the faces of the yoke wear (against that pin) and allow them to go in more, but it's not all that much to have a large affect on the steering I'd look for the TA bushings or the lower strut bushings or something that has a much larger affect.
While you're under there, also check and make sure all 4 bolts are holding the rear spring (and not one broken as sometimes happen). Doubt it but have a look JIC
M
While you're under there, also check and make sure all 4 bolts are holding the rear spring (and not one broken as sometimes happen). Doubt it but have a look JIC
M
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 441
Likes: 22
From: Northeast OH
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Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,174
Likes: 9,303
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
You should check the trailling arm bushngs as stated, and the strut arm bushings.
Does it constantly wander, or is it under acceleration and deceleration.
What brand of tire are you using? are they actual radials or bias ply reproductions?
Does it constantly wander, or is it under acceleration and deceleration.
What brand of tire are you using? are they actual radials or bias ply reproductions?
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,808
Likes: 440
From: Denver CO
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,174
Likes: 9,303
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
can you post pics of your suspension setup?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,445
Likes: 971
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
All good suggestions^^^^^^.
Check the Strut rod bushings first and to make sure the strut rods are not bent. Strut bushings are the easiest to replace first and quickly if worn. I would highly recommend if replacement is in order to go with competition adjustable strut rods with Heim joints, no bushings at all. The rubber strut rod bushings, even when brand new, will allow the rear camber to change way too much and the car to wander all over the road, especially on uneven pavement.
My rear trailing arm bushings and rear wheel bearings are OEM on my 78 and need to be changed. Just going with the heim jointed struts made a hugh improvement in the stability of the rear on my car with worn TA bushings..that is how much the OEM rubber struts allow camber movement. BTW-I had OEM struts with poly bushings before the switch to heim jointed struts.....which are much less compliant than the rubber bushings.
Check the Strut rod bushings first and to make sure the strut rods are not bent. Strut bushings are the easiest to replace first and quickly if worn. I would highly recommend if replacement is in order to go with competition adjustable strut rods with Heim joints, no bushings at all. The rubber strut rod bushings, even when brand new, will allow the rear camber to change way too much and the car to wander all over the road, especially on uneven pavement.
My rear trailing arm bushings and rear wheel bearings are OEM on my 78 and need to be changed. Just going with the heim jointed struts made a hugh improvement in the stability of the rear on my car with worn TA bushings..that is how much the OEM rubber struts allow camber movement. BTW-I had OEM struts with poly bushings before the switch to heim jointed struts.....which are much less compliant than the rubber bushings.
Last edited by jb78L-82; Aug 23, 2019 at 07:17 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,722
Likes: 1,377
Have you by any chance put new rear tires on recently? I got some bad tires once and I had a hell of a time figuring it out..... actually I never really figured it out, just so happen that I damaged a tire so went ahead replaced them both and all my troubles seemed so far away.....
I am having a night mare with the steering on my vette. it feels so sloppy - just wanders all over the place. I have systematically changed loads on the front end but nothing on the rear yet
Changed the front:
All bushes (on wishbone - anti roll - absolutbley everything)
new tie rods both sides
new ball joints all round
wheel bearings are perfect
replaced steering box with borgeson 600 which has zero play at centre (bought from here https://www.summitracing.com/int/par...9032/overview/)
My only observations are that if I move the steering, the chassis has an incy bit of flex that even budges the engine mount a bit. but Im guessing as the car is stationary this is due to a huge force from the power steering and probably normal? or should it be rock solid?
I have checked the rears for bearings and bush play but cant find anything.
Does anyone have any suggestions before I lose it and whack a c4 chassis in it [img]data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
cheers
Changed the front:
All bushes (on wishbone - anti roll - absolutbley everything)
new tie rods both sides
new ball joints all round
wheel bearings are perfect
replaced steering box with borgeson 600 which has zero play at centre (bought from here https://www.summitracing.com/int/par...9032/overview/)
My only observations are that if I move the steering, the chassis has an incy bit of flex that even budges the engine mount a bit. but Im guessing as the car is stationary this is due to a huge force from the power steering and probably normal? or should it be rock solid?
I have checked the rears for bearings and bush play but cant find anything.
Does anyone have any suggestions before I lose it and whack a c4 chassis in it [img]data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
cheers