"JERKY STEERING" .... SCARY!!!

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Mar 7, 2004 | 12:52 AM

R 73 454

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Racer

Joined: Feb 2004

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From: Athol NY

"JERKY STEERING" .... SCARY!!!

Has any one else experienced this: Upon hitting a bump the steering started VIOLENTLY shaking back and forth, upon slowing down, it subsided, this was several years ago. I replaced the pump (rebuilt) the control valve and the power cylinder (both brand new, not rebuilt). Things were much better. As of late upon really rough roads it seems to be creeping back. Yes, the ball joints, tie rods and pitman are tight, the steering box rebuilt as well. The idler arm has some play, could this cause that kind of crazy feedback? It seems like the vettes control valve set-up would be more susceptable to feedback, but whoa, this is SEVERE shaking, like you can't hold the wheel! Any thoughts? And yes it has fairly new Comp T/A tires and front wheel bearings are in-spec. :eek: :U :(

[Modified by R 73 454, 5:57 AM 3/7/2004]

Mar 7, 2004 | 12:58 AM

mrvette

Team Owner

Joined: Jul 1999

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From: Orange Park Florida

Re: "JERKY STEERING" .... SCARY!!! (R 73 454)

That is a fairly common symptom on any GM vechicle without a steering dampner, I had a 3/4 ton Chebby van that did that, the cure was installing a horizontal shock absorber to the drag link and frame...cured that immediately...nothing rong with the steering/suspension at all....

I feel that hydraulic assist cylinder on the vette should serve as the same thing...since it's a controlled type shock absorber afterall....
never heard of that difficulty on a shark before though....

you may check your front shocks....

GENE

Mar 7, 2004 | 01:02 AM

R 73 454

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Racer

Joined: Feb 2004

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From: Athol NY

Re: "JERKY STEERING" .... SCARY!!! (mrvette)

Shocks are GM, and two years old. Hmmm.... control arm bushings? They don't look tooooo bad, but they are the originals. Car has 95,000 miles. :confused:

Mar 7, 2004 | 09:04 AM

theandies

Team Owner

Joined: Jun 2001

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From: Virginia USA

Re: "JERKY STEERING" .... SCARY!!! (R 73 454)

I thought you were talking about the driver :lol: :lol: :lol:
Mine wasn't as bad as you described but all my steering problems went away after I rebuilt my front suspension and steering linkage. My ball joints were shot.

Mar 7, 2004 | 12:37 PM

page62

Le Mans Master

Joined: Mar 2002

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From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas

Re: "JERKY STEERING" .... SCARY!!! (R 73 454)

One mechanic told me this about bushings: If they're merely cracked, it's probably okay. But if they're dropping chunks of rubber off the bottom, they're shot. At 95K miles (not to mention 31 years), I'd start thinking about replacing them. Ball joints, too, while you're in there.

And replace the idler arm. It's a tenuous link between you and disaster! :eek:

Mar 7, 2004 | 12:39 PM

joeveto

Melting Slicks

Joined: Mar 2001

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From: Lake Villa IL

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Re: "JERKY STEERING" .... SCARY!!! (page62)

:iagree:

And the job isn't too bad.

Mar 7, 2004 | 09:49 PM

R 73 454

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Racer

Joined: Feb 2004

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From: Athol NY

Re: "JERKY STEERING" .... SCARY!!! (joeveto)

Yes, idler arm is a breeze, control arm bushings, another matter. Shop manual makes it look like an ordeal, I have a 20 ton press, but they show quite a few special receivers and the like. Little leary of bending control arms though. Any secrets on changing these? By the way I have been known to have "jerky steering"! The snow's melting fast, I have to address this QUICK! :cheers: