quick question about an '85
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 672
Likes: 0
From: Chesapeake Virginia
quick question about an '85
Hey guys,
I just picked up my "new to me" '85, it only has 44,000 miles on it and looks to have been babied. anyway, the question is:
when the car is cold and it's cold outside, the steering seems to "wander" a bit on the road, it just can't quite make up it's mind which way it wants to go.
then after I drive it a few miles and everything warms up some, it stops the wandering and seems to track really well.
is this what is called "morning sickness"? I've done some searches but it seems like most of the issues are with really stiff steering when cold, mine doesn't seem to have that it just won't "lock" onto the road for a while.
it was just aligned and the settings are really close to what VBP recommends for a "street cruiser" (what I'm after).
I will be replacing the shocks in the next few days also.
I just picked up my "new to me" '85, it only has 44,000 miles on it and looks to have been babied. anyway, the question is:
when the car is cold and it's cold outside, the steering seems to "wander" a bit on the road, it just can't quite make up it's mind which way it wants to go.
then after I drive it a few miles and everything warms up some, it stops the wandering and seems to track really well.
is this what is called "morning sickness"? I've done some searches but it seems like most of the issues are with really stiff steering when cold, mine doesn't seem to have that it just won't "lock" onto the road for a while.
it was just aligned and the settings are really close to what VBP recommends for a "street cruiser" (what I'm after).
I will be replacing the shocks in the next few days also.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 672
Likes: 0
From: Chesapeake Virginia
not really sure of the age, I'll have to look at the date stamps on them to see, I know that there are two different brands on the car but the axles have the matching tires (front matches front ----back matches back).
I just had the tires balanced due to a vibration at highway speeds over 60. that seems to be better now though and the pressure is checked regularly. I run them right at 35 cold PSI.
I just had the tires balanced due to a vibration at highway speeds over 60. that seems to be better now though and the pressure is checked regularly. I run them right at 35 cold PSI.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
"Morning sickness" is a term used to describe a potential failure of the power steering pump or even the rack. It's typically indicated by a whine coming from the pump.
I would at least flush out the old PS fluid and use Red Line synthetic power steering fluid.
And 35psi is the factory air pressure for the tires. You can lower it some to help with ride comfort but I would not go less than 30psi.
Once you replace the shocks, come back and post up what (if anything) feels different. I would also suggest a tire replacement if the tires are more than 5-6 years old, regardless of the tread remaining. Give the low miles I would expect the car is probably on its second set of tires which may explain why there are different brands on the car.
I would at least flush out the old PS fluid and use Red Line synthetic power steering fluid.
And 35psi is the factory air pressure for the tires. You can lower it some to help with ride comfort but I would not go less than 30psi.
Once you replace the shocks, come back and post up what (if anything) feels different. I would also suggest a tire replacement if the tires are more than 5-6 years old, regardless of the tread remaining. Give the low miles I would expect the car is probably on its second set of tires which may explain why there are different brands on the car.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
I have seen morning sickness referring to two different symptoms:
A groaning noise when turning the steering wheel. That's usually caused by air in the hydraulic fluid.
A "catch", where the steering gets "stuck" as you turn the wheel and then suddenly releases.
A groaning noise when turning the steering wheel. That's usually caused by air in the hydraulic fluid.
A "catch", where the steering gets "stuck" as you turn the wheel and then suddenly releases.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
Old tire get hard, reducing the pressure may help the problem. 35psi, while often recommended gives harsher ride on new tires. Most people run around 30-32. It gives a better ride, with no noticeable drop in street performance, or wear. Nearly all tires ride harsh in below freezing temps.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
Check out the tires, the fact that it gets better after driving a while indicates the tires are warming up and the problem is going away...I would get new tires if for no other reason then they aren't a matched set, different tires handle and perform differently......WW
Last edited by WW7; Nov 27, 2013 at 08:40 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,227
Likes: 697
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner