Death wobble
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 253
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From: Oklahoma
Death wobble
My 79 L82 has all new bushing,shocks,coil springs,tie rod ends,bearings,steering damper and ball joints. I hit a depression in the road at 40mph and the front end shook violently until I got slowed to 15 mph. I had it aligned a few months ago. It doesn’t do it hitting bumps or even potholes but does every time at that place in the road. Anyone ever experience that and what was the cause and or cure? I used that expression based on what someone else called it.Thanks
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 253
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From: Oklahoma
I wish
I have been through every part of the suspension and come up with nothing. The only two things I thought that could possibly be Maybe is the steering box(although it steers fine normally) or the rag joint. Hopefully someone has had this happen and knows the cure. Very scary!
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I once had a similar Shake with a 70's Impala I owned many years ago.
It turned out to be the idler arm as suggested above.
And your C3 does not have a steering damper. Perhaps your speaking of the power steering cylinder.
It turned out to be the idler arm as suggested above.
And your C3 does not have a steering damper. Perhaps your speaking of the power steering cylinder.
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Oh, And when the rag joint goes, it's real scary all the time, not just hitting a depression. Steering goes way loose with tons of slop. I know, I blew one years ago.
Steering box could also add extra play if worn. But the shake you describe sounds like a idler arm that's worn. And should have been caught when your alignment was done.
And also the other possiblility of something has come loose. You say a number of parts have been replaced recently. I would be double checking every nut and bolt.
Steering box could also add extra play if worn. But the shake you describe sounds like a idler arm that's worn. And should have been caught when your alignment was done.
And also the other possiblility of something has come loose. You say a number of parts have been replaced recently. I would be double checking every nut and bolt.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2019
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From: Oklahoma
My mistake,slave cylinder and valve. Thanks I will in fact revisit the idler arm one more time.
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Idler arm should feel stiff to move by hand. unhook it from the draglink and check it for freedom of movement.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 253
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From: Oklahoma
I would like to thank everyone for the information. I do have the car up on jack stands and with the advice of several members I ordered a new idler arm and will go from there. I don’t know my caster setting but I do know there was more play then I initially thought in the idler arm. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
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Good on ya Mate! (As we say in Australia.) There should be NONE play in an idler arm. Should feel stiff when moving by hand. Moves, but not readily.
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If it would happen in a shalllow long turn I would say caster. You may hae found it with your idler arm. Do you have power steering?
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Resolution?
My 79 L82 has all new bushing,shocks,coil springs,tie rod ends,bearings,steering damper and ball joints. I hit a depression in the road at 40mph and the front end shook violently until I got slowed to 15 mph. I had it aligned a few months ago. It doesn’t do it hitting bumps or even potholes but does every time at that place in the road. Anyone ever experience that and what was the cause and or cure? I used that expression based on what someone else called it.Thanks
I have an identical problem with my 77. Was it the idler arm? I just had all bushings replaced and its still there. They gave me a castor angle of 4%. Would love to know if this worked.
Thanks everyone
G
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St. Jude Donor '06-'09,'22,'25
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This happened to me in a Ram pickup (2 WD) about 2000. Turned out it was the tires that were worn & waaay out of balance. Everything was tight in the front end & I even put new shocks on the front & nothing changed until I put new tires on it.
