Bad handling
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Bad handling
I have an '84 model that kinda floats to the right when I lift my foot from the gas pedal. There is no pull on the steering wheel and when I accelerate it steers straight and true. I must admit its more fun to speed up than slow down but sometimes you just gotta do it.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 639
Likes: 0
From: 1985 L98, Auto. O'FALLON, IL
From my experience with my 85, It handled terrible when I first got it, it was all over the road with every bump and dip it would dart another direction, really scared you to death. I could not understand how the car would ever do over 65 without killing me. Well on a 20 year old neglected car there are a lot of things that can wear out. I would start by jacking up the rear end and try to move your the tire from side to side, one hand at 3 o'clock and on at 9 o'clock see if you have movement. This is a good way to see if the bushings in the dog bones are shot. I installed the full energy suspension poly kit and the car is tight now. I also installed a camber brace, shocks and ball joints and the car drives rock solid now. Good luck and let us know what you find.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Sparks Nevada
Originally Posted by onetrackmind
I installed the full energy suspension poly kit and the car is tight now. I also installed a camber brace, shocks and ball joints and the car drives rock solid now. Good luck and let us know what you find.
is it just the rear i should check or front also?Thanks a bunch,
-Dan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
Click to have a look at this thread for ideas about the root cause of
the problem.
In that case, it turned out (pg 3) that the owner found he had a bad
left rear wheel bearing - he discovered this the second time he
raised the rear and shook the wheels. He had to use a 2x4 for leverage.
After replacing bearings he reported all was well.
In your case, it may turn out to be something different. The thread
has many useful suggestions.
.
the problem.
In that case, it turned out (pg 3) that the owner found he had a bad
left rear wheel bearing - he discovered this the second time he
raised the rear and shook the wheels. He had to use a 2x4 for leverage.
After replacing bearings he reported all was well.
In your case, it may turn out to be something different. The thread
has many useful suggestions.
.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 639
Likes: 0
From: 1985 L98, Auto. O'FALLON, IL
Originally Posted by dbanno
How much did all that cost you? My car also does this... is it just the rear i should check or front also?
Thanks a bunch,
-Dan
is it just the rear i should check or front also?Thanks a bunch,
-Dan
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Originally Posted by bddman
I have an '84 model that kinda floats to the right when I lift my foot from the gas pedal. There is no pull on the steering wheel and when I accelerate it steers straight and true. I must admit its more fun to speed up than slow down but sometimes you just gotta do it.
Here is something to consider. I completely rebuilt my suspension. I mean EVERYTHING. Poly bushings everywhere. New shocks and tires and camber brace. A four wheel alignment on one of those fancy laser systems.
Still pulls right when you lift and left when you accelerate.
Yes, I know it has to do with torque steer. But this does not happen to all C4's. I have been tempted to call Gorden Killebrew. Just wanted to make sure all the bases are covered and the car is setup completely correct.
The only thing that makes sense here is rear wheel alignment.
Not enough toe-in?
onetrackmind, what are your alignment settings?
Last edited by JrRifleCoach; Nov 18, 2005 at 02:56 AM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
How level does your car sit on flat ground? My 94 did abit of that when i got it, the rear spring had the spacers missing where it mounts to the diff carrier. In my experience from racing radio controlled model touring cars, if your wheels arent all about the same in terms of ride height, it will pull one way on accelleration, and the other way under braking. Id be looking to your springs and seeing what kind of condition they are in, cause my guess is you may have more presure on your front right/left rear and less on your front left/right rear. Also, check your lower ball joints.
Last edited by Casethecorvetteman; Nov 20, 2005 at 09:05 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Originally Posted by JrRifleCoach
Still pulls right when you lift and left when you accelerate.
Yes, I know it has to do with torque steer. But this does not happen to all C4s?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
With a car that old, the list of causes is about as long as my arm....
I am a firm beleiver that these chassis need to be renewed after about 15 years or 120k miles, which ever comes first.
I intend to do this to both of our vettes ASAP, but it is a time eating project.
To wit:
1) Replace all rubber bushes with new poly.
2) Replace all wheel bearings (unless you know, 100%, they are new and good) and all ujoints.
3) Replace rear toe links.
4) Replace front tie rods and ball joints.
5) Consider a complete brake overhall.
6) Replace shocks
7) Inspect springs for sag and delamination. Replace accordingly.
8) Get a quality alignment to factory spec (this is a good setting for 90% of all Corvette drivers).
That's the score... Just something to keep in mind.
I am a firm beleiver that these chassis need to be renewed after about 15 years or 120k miles, which ever comes first.
I intend to do this to both of our vettes ASAP, but it is a time eating project.
To wit:
1) Replace all rubber bushes with new poly.
2) Replace all wheel bearings (unless you know, 100%, they are new and good) and all ujoints.
3) Replace rear toe links.
4) Replace front tie rods and ball joints.
5) Consider a complete brake overhall.
6) Replace shocks
7) Inspect springs for sag and delamination. Replace accordingly.
8) Get a quality alignment to factory spec (this is a good setting for 90% of all Corvette drivers).
That's the score... Just something to keep in mind.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Factory spec alignment.
Andy, I'm not close to any references right now.
What do your manuals call for rear toe for the C4 series? Is there a difference from the L98's, LTx's to ZR-1's?
Andy, I'm not close to any references right now.
What do your manuals call for rear toe for the C4 series? Is there a difference from the L98's, LTx's to ZR-1's?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Front 84 - 96 Corvette
Daily Driver Advanced Street Autocross Baseline Track Baseline
Toe 1/32" in 0" 3/16" out 0-1/16" out
Camber 0° neg .25° neg 1.5-3° neg 1-3° neg
Caster 5-7° pos 5-7° pos 4-5° pos 4-7° pos
Rear 84 - 96 Corvette
Daily Driver Advanced Street Autocross Baseline Track Baseline
Toe 1/8" in 1/8" in 1/16" in 1/8" in
Camber 0° .50° neg .75-2.5° neg .75-2.5° neg
Daily Driver Advanced Street Autocross Baseline Track Baseline
Toe 1/32" in 0" 3/16" out 0-1/16" out
Camber 0° neg .25° neg 1.5-3° neg 1-3° neg
Caster 5-7° pos 5-7° pos 4-5° pos 4-7° pos
Rear 84 - 96 Corvette
Daily Driver Advanced Street Autocross Baseline Track Baseline
Toe 1/8" in 1/8" in 1/16" in 1/8" in
Camber 0° .50° neg .75-2.5° neg .75-2.5° neg
Last edited by Casethecorvetteman; Nov 20, 2005 at 12:13 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Front 84 - 96 Corvette
Daily Driver
Toe 1/32" in
Camber 0° neg
Caster 5-7° pos
Advanced Street
Toe 0"
Camber .25° neg
Caster 5-7° pos
Rear 84 - 96 Corvette
Daily Driver
Toe 1/8" in
Camber 0°
Advanced Street
Toe 1/8" in
Camber .50° neg
How's those figures look?
Daily Driver
Toe 1/32" in
Camber 0° neg
Caster 5-7° pos
Advanced Street
Toe 0"
Camber .25° neg
Caster 5-7° pos
Rear 84 - 96 Corvette
Daily Driver
Toe 1/8" in
Camber 0°
Advanced Street
Toe 1/8" in
Camber .50° neg
How's those figures look?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Look about right. bddman, you following this?
I looked at the setting from my last alignment. Rear toe is not very even. Left is .06" (1/16) and right .12(1/8) for a total of .18(3/16).
Maybe I'll try to take out and 1/8 from the right. That should be about 1-2 flats turn on the hex nut. (each flat is a sixth of a turn)
I looked at the setting from my last alignment. Rear toe is not very even. Left is .06" (1/16) and right .12(1/8) for a total of .18(3/16).
Maybe I'll try to take out and 1/8 from the right. That should be about 1-2 flats turn on the hex nut. (each flat is a sixth of a turn)