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Something wrong with suspension

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Old Aug 13, 2011 | 09:29 PM
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Default Something wrong with suspension

My 90 has a problem that I haven't been able to identify the cause. When driving on the interstate at 70 - 80 if I give it gas the rear end seems to want to drift to the right and if I let off the gas it wants to pull to the left. It can get really squirrely at times when in traffic that speeds up and slows down all the time. At lower speeds it doesn't do it.

I got it up on a hoist and pried and pulled on everything on the front and rear suspension and couldn't find anything that was loose. No rub marks on the metal, no torn busings, rear wheel bearings feel solid with no looseness in them. Because the car was up on a hoist I didn't check the upper ball joints but will do that tomorrow. The lower ball joints seemed tight so I'm at a loss as to what it could be. The left rear shock seems a bit weak compared to the others but I don't think it is enough to cause the problem. Any suggestions will be appreciated.
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Old Aug 13, 2011 | 09:39 PM
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Weak or worn out shocks don't help for good handling.

Check the lower rear aluminum trailing arm bushings for wear or Oblong bushings.

That would change the rear tire alignment on your C4 when driving hard & cause instability problems.

The trailing arms attach to the Dana 36 or Dana 44 center section camber adjustment brackets.

Check the rear tire toe in Rod ends for wear too.

When you find the problem(s) & make repairs,
have a 4- wheel alignment done by a decent shop.
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Old Aug 13, 2011 | 10:10 PM
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Your rear thrust angle is off. (The wheels are not lined up with the fronts). When you accelerate, the rear wants to push out to one side. The opposite happends when you let off the gas. As Brian suggested, get a 4 wheel alignement.
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Old Aug 14, 2011 | 11:31 AM
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Originally Posted by 383vett
Your rear thrust angle is off. (The wheels are not lined up with the fronts). When you accelerate, the rear wants to push out to one side. The opposite happends when you let off the gas. As Brian suggested, get a 4 wheel alignement.
That makes a lot of sense, I should have thought of it. It goes to the alignment shop next week. Thanks!
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Old Aug 15, 2011 | 06:26 PM
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Tire stagger can cause this. Try switching tires front to rear.
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Old Aug 15, 2011 | 09:14 PM
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Originally Posted by mashinter
Tire stagger can cause this. Try switching tires front to rear.
That would be an economical test but I have 19's on the rear and 18's on the front. I don't think the 19's would clear everything on the front.
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Old Aug 17, 2011 | 03:53 PM
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Originally Posted by George Dickel
That would be an economical test but I have 19's on the rear and 18's on the front. I don't think the 19's would clear everything on the front.
Switch the rears side-to-side and see if it goes the other way.
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Old Aug 17, 2011 | 03:55 PM
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Originally Posted by George Dickel
That would be an economical test but I have 19's on the rear and 18's on the front. I don't think the 19's would clear everything on the front.
As much as I love my full offset wheels.....they make me angry sometimes...
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