Front End Feels Floaty - Drifts Left and Right

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Oct 29, 2020 | 11:24 PM

bill2929

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1st Gear

Joined: Oct 2020

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Front End Feels Floaty - Drifts Left and Right

I am a New Corvette owner...a 40+ year dream. Ive gotten a 1977 that needs a little love before really enjoying it. While driving the front end feels like its floating, drifting left and right a struggle to keep it straight down the road. I don't know what would cause this. Has anyone else had this issue and what was the fix?

Oct 29, 2020 | 11:44 PM

Gearhead74

Instructor

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 114

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From: McKinney TX

I'd start with a front end alignment. If a good shop can't get it aligned, they should be able to spot worn steering or front end parts.

Oct 30, 2020 | 05:25 AM

4-vettes

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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified

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I've been driving a 77 for over 30 years. Factory Gymkhana suspension car. Always been a truly great handling car for its time. Something is worn. Or simply not setup correctly.
agree. If your no Mechanic, start with a proper 4 wheel alignment by a shop that REALLY knows C3 Corvettes. A good shop that REALLY knows C3 Corvettes will spot troubles. If you take it to Joes tire shop, discount alignment special, maybe not so much.

Oct 30, 2020 | 07:24 AM

Rescue Rogers

Is my vette stock?? HAHA

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I would get a buddy and check the toe with a good tape measure. Then jack it up and check the normal wear compements...ball joints, tie rod ends etc..

Oct 30, 2020 | 10:29 AM

Fast81

Melting Slicks

Joined: Aug 2003

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From: dayton oh

At what speed? they all get light in the front eventually unless you take airflow control measures for road racing.............

Oct 30, 2020 | 10:51 AM

Bikespace

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From: Virginia

Other than looking for obviously failed parts (please post some photos!), I've found that a bit of toe-in and caster at the front will help with the lightness at speed. Making sure your trailing arm bushings and especially strut rod bushings are in good shape will help a lot with wandering. Do you have any looseness in your steering?

There are some great posts by @cagotzmann on how to do a DIY alignment. This thread might get you started:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-geometry.html

Oct 30, 2020 | 10:56 AM

78EAGLE2B

Burning Brakes

Joined: Mar 2019

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From: Chehalis, WA

I latched on to my first Corvette, a decent 76, about a year and a half ago. I noticed early on that there seemed to be a lot of play in the steering, and it too was hard to keep in a straight line. I would not say that it was light in the front end though. I talked to a friend, a purebred car guy, and he said that was a characteristic of that car. Don't know if he was right or wrong. Anyway, I had a Borgeson steering box installed, and it made all the difference in the world. The steering is much tighter and more responsive; I thought it was a great upgrade. Just my two cents worth.

Oct 31, 2020 | 04:12 PM

68/70Vette

Team Owner

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 40,412

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From: Redondo Beach, California

Trouble keeping it in a straight line. As others suggested excessive toe in or toe out will cause this symptom. A worn steering box will cause excessive steering wheel play. Some play, due to wear, in a stock steering box can be adjusted out, but most likely an old steering box needs to be rebuilt.