Suspension problem
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 120
Likes: 1
From: Canton Georgia
Suspension problem
I just got some general maintenance completed and the car is running great. But my original problem was my 1986 corvette was steering weird after accelerating moderately. if i turn the wheel quickly to the left or ride it almost pushes it back towards me. If i accelerate somewhat hard it almost feels like riding a wave and i have to correct it when i let off the gas. This is not how it normally is.
I just replaced the motor mounts (used original ones) thinking the engine may have been causing it under acceleration but it did not fix the problem. I have jacked it up and tried to shake the front tires to see if the ball joints seemed bad but the wheels were both tight. What could cause this weird problem.
It has 130,000 miles on it. I did the shocks about 2 years ago along with all of the u joints. Never have touched tie rods or anything else with the suspension any ideas?
I just replaced the motor mounts (used original ones) thinking the engine may have been causing it under acceleration but it did not fix the problem. I have jacked it up and tried to shake the front tires to see if the ball joints seemed bad but the wheels were both tight. What could cause this weird problem.
It has 130,000 miles on it. I did the shocks about 2 years ago along with all of the u joints. Never have touched tie rods or anything else with the suspension any ideas?
Pro
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 706
Likes: 47
From: Denver Colorado
Not sure I understand steering wheel "Pushing back toward" you. Do you mean fore & aft movement or resistance to left right motion of the wheel? Couple (OK, more than a couple) questions: Have you checked/bled the power steering? Is your steering rack tightly mounted with good bushings? Is your front end on good bushings? How about the rear end bushings on the dog bones and rods beneath the axles? Could it actually be rear end steer from worn components? Is the joint (rag joint) in the steering column in good shape? A lot can wear in 130K miles.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 120
Likes: 1
From: Canton Georgia
Not sure I understand steering wheel "Pushing back toward" you. Do you mean fore & aft movement or resistance to left right motion of the wheel? Couple (OK, more than a couple) questions: Have you checked/bled the power steering? Is your steering rack tightly mounted with good bushings? Is your front end on good bushings? How about the rear end bushings on the dog bones and rods beneath the axles? Could it actually be rear end steer from worn components? Is the joint (rag joint) in the steering column in good shape? A lot can wear in 130K miles.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 706
Likes: 47
From: Denver Colorado
With the added information (upon further review, maybe) it sounds like your steering problem might be the dreaded steering rack "morning sickness" where the internal seals in the rack are bad and power steering is iffy until the rack and pump have fully warmed up. When you start up from cold it can feel like no boost on the steering. There are plenty of posts on the problem. The fix is a new/rebuilt rack and pump.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 120
Likes: 1
From: Canton Georgia
So i am very lucky today turned out the car had a very simple problem to fix. As i jacked the car up to remove the wheels and check all of the suspension i noticed the drivers side rear wheel felt extra loose. Turned out the rear tie rod was missing the bolt so it was just floating around! I had the wheel bearing replaced by a shop a few years ago on that side when i couldnt get the bolts on the inside out myself. I had done the passenger side myself. Looks like they did not know how to use a cotter pin or something. Put a new castle nut up to spec with a cotter pin and she drives like normal now.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Last edited by rocco16; Jan 23, 2018 at 09:30 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 193
Likes: 19
From: Stevenston, Scotland, GB
Drain the old steering fluid and fill up 100% with Lucasoil steering conditioner. Its like ATF but thicker. Been running my '87 like this for many years without a problem. I did it initially as the steering felt too light without feel or feedback, but now its perfect..
https://lucasoil.com/products/proble...ring-stop-leak
https://lucasoil.com/products/proble...ring-stop-leak
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,752
Likes: 278
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
I just got some general maintenance completed and the car is running great. But my original problem was my 1986 corvette was steering weird after accelerating moderately. if i turn the wheel quickly to the left or ride it almost pushes it back towards me. If i accelerate somewhat hard it almost feels like riding a wave and i have to correct it when i let off the gas. This is not how it normally is.
I just replaced the motor mounts (used original ones) thinking the engine may have been causing it under acceleration but it did not fix the problem. I have jacked it up and tried to shake the front tires to see if the ball joints seemed bad but the wheels were both tight. What could cause this weird problem.
It has 130,000 miles on it. I did the shocks about 2 years ago along with all of the u joints. Never have touched tie rods or anything else with the suspension any ideas?
I just replaced the motor mounts (used original ones) thinking the engine may have been causing it under acceleration but it did not fix the problem. I have jacked it up and tried to shake the front tires to see if the ball joints seemed bad but the wheels were both tight. What could cause this weird problem.
It has 130,000 miles on it. I did the shocks about 2 years ago along with all of the u joints. Never have touched tie rods or anything else with the suspension any ideas?
Some like Z51have 16x 9.5 on all four corners, standard have 8.5 on front and 9.5 on rear. I have a friend with a c4 who complained of a wobble feeling moving the steering quickly left and right.
Turned out the new 255 50 16 tires on all four wheels they put the 8.5 rims on the back, the tire sidewall "wobble or shake" was really off putting. he put them on the front and was a lot better.
He later replaced the 16x8.5 with 16x9.5 and was happy, so check the sidewalls are they straight all round or ballooning on the sides on the back?
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