Wandering...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 178
Likes: 4
From: Chandler AZ
Wandering...
Hi All, I've had my 96 LT1 coupe for a little while and the steering is bugging me a little. From everything I've read, this car should handle like a dream, but for me the car seems to wander a little bit instead of tracking in a straight line.
It's not outrageous, and I auto correct with the steering wheel without even thinking about it, but what would it take to get this thing laser straight?
It has 110k miles on it, and it has an AT if that matters.
Thanks in advance for any comments!
It's not outrageous, and I auto correct with the steering wheel without even thinking about it, but what would it take to get this thing laser straight?
It has 110k miles on it, and it has an AT if that matters.
Thanks in advance for any comments!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,293
Likes: 36
That's funny you should say that.....I just responded to a thread on that very same issue. We have the same car. I have a black 1996 auto with about 120k on the clock.
On wavy roads, the car had a mind of its own and felt a little insecure. I installed new shocks, and had the car aligned. It helped a little, but the car still felt uneasy.
One day the car was jacked up and I leaned against one of the front tires and noticed that I could make the top A frame slide front to back about an 1/8 of an inch on its bushing (see below) , and it made a slight squeaking noise. I also noticed a badly worn tie rod end.
Pretty easy fixes....
On wavy roads, the car had a mind of its own and felt a little insecure. I installed new shocks, and had the car aligned. It helped a little, but the car still felt uneasy.
One day the car was jacked up and I leaned against one of the front tires and noticed that I could make the top A frame slide front to back about an 1/8 of an inch on its bushing (see below) , and it made a slight squeaking noise. I also noticed a badly worn tie rod end.
Pretty easy fixes....
Hi All, I've had my 96 LT1 coupe for a little while and the steering is bugging me a little. From everything I've read, this car should handle like a dream, but for me the car seems to wander a little bit instead of tracking in a straight line.
It's not outrageous, and I auto correct with the steering wheel without even thinking about it, but what would it take to get this thing laser straight?
It has 110k miles on it, and it has an AT if that matters.
Thanks in advance for any comments!
It's not outrageous, and I auto correct with the steering wheel without even thinking about it, but what would it take to get this thing laser straight?
It has 110k miles on it, and it has an AT if that matters.
Thanks in advance for any comments!
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 6
From: St Marys GA
Also, a little bit of wandering is normal. These cars have VERY wide front tires, and they just grab irregularities in the pavement. This follows with the statement about 'these cars handling like dreams' : As you make the car more responsive, it also gets less stable.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 14,924
Likes: 9
From: Merritt Ils Fl
Also, a little bit of wandering is normal. These cars have VERY wide front tires, and they just grab irregularities in the pavement. This follows with the statement about 'these cars handling like dreams' : As you make the car more responsive, it also gets less stable.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,293
Likes: 36
Yes, I am aware of that. The difference is, a properly set up car will transmit the road irregularities to the steering wheel, allowing you to quickly respond.
My car with the worn out bushings would wander with no input to the steering wheel whatsoever. It's like someone is else driving the car. Sometimes it catches me by surprise. I can't wait to get my front and rear end nice and tight. . . .ahhhh.....you know what I mean
My car with the worn out bushings would wander with no input to the steering wheel whatsoever. It's like someone is else driving the car. Sometimes it catches me by surprise. I can't wait to get my front and rear end nice and tight. . . .ahhhh.....you know what I mean
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
When I bought my '84 in 1997, the problem was very prounounced. The steering rack was new, but the suspension bushings were shot, so I did the whole car over in poly. I had one outer tie rod end that was loose, so I did both of them and had the car aligned. Issue got better.
A couple of years later, a wheel bearing went. I replaced all 4 trying to cure the wandering issue, along with the rear tie rod ends. New ball joints followed as well.
Topped all of this off with a good 4 wheel alignment and new tires. Here's the bottom line;
On a flat open surface, at 100 mph, you can steer it with a fingertip, and it handles like a go kart. Extremely responsive, and corners better than anything I have ever driven, and no darting or wandering. But put it on a heavily travelled interstate with ridges and valleys, and the car still wanders. Nowhere near as bad as before I rebuilt everything, but it still does it. Now it's annoying....before it was unnerving.
I've come to the conclusion that it's just the nature of the beast.
A couple of years later, a wheel bearing went. I replaced all 4 trying to cure the wandering issue, along with the rear tie rod ends. New ball joints followed as well.
Topped all of this off with a good 4 wheel alignment and new tires. Here's the bottom line;
On a flat open surface, at 100 mph, you can steer it with a fingertip, and it handles like a go kart. Extremely responsive, and corners better than anything I have ever driven, and no darting or wandering. But put it on a heavily travelled interstate with ridges and valleys, and the car still wanders. Nowhere near as bad as before I rebuilt everything, but it still does it. Now it's annoying....before it was unnerving.
I've come to the conclusion that it's just the nature of the beast.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 177
From: NE Ohio
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
My 89 was doing the same. Took it back to the shop that aligned it and complained. Took the tech for a ride and he made a minor adjustment to the alignment. Now it is fine. It follow irregularities but does not drift on flat roads. Make sure they align the rear also.
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