My 86's tail wags-HELP!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 385
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From: Blue Ridge GA
My 86's tail wags-HELP!
When I'm driving in a straight line I can feel the rear of the car moving side to side ever so slightly. I thought it was my rear camber bolts being loose, tightened them got a new alignment and I still have this problem. I'm running an autocross alignment with 1.9 degrees negative and .02 degrees negative toe in the rear. My u-joints are in good shape. It almost feels as if my posi is locking right then left. I had it rebuilt less than a year ago. Any ideas? :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 9,713
Likes: 3
From: Sachse Texas
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: My 86's tail wags-HELP! (Stealthvette)
I could drive down the highway at 60 and give a little gas and the back end would slide to the left every time. My headlights would swerve about 5 ft at 30ft out (pretty severe). Mine ended up being a bad u-joint on the differential side of the passengers half shaft.
When I posted the problem though, most people suggested that the outer tie rod ends were worn causing the problem. Seems that it has bitten many people that way because there were several that said the same thing. I did end up putting on new tie rods as well, but that was not the cause of my problem. You may want to check or replace yours though. I think they were about $65 each from Jeff Kopp.
When I posted the problem though, most people suggested that the outer tie rod ends were worn causing the problem. Seems that it has bitten many people that way because there were several that said the same thing. I did end up putting on new tie rods as well, but that was not the cause of my problem. You may want to check or replace yours though. I think they were about $65 each from Jeff Kopp.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 385
Likes: 0
From: Blue Ridge GA
Re: My 86's tail wags-HELP! (Vette92)
My u-joints are fine. I'll have to check the tie-rod ends. I know those can be a big problem. I hadn't thought of those. The weird thing is that everything feels so tight when I try to move the wheel when it is jacked up.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 385
Likes: 0
From: Blue Ridge GA
Re: My 86's tail wags-HELP! (Stealthvette)
I found the problem and it was surprisingly simple. The 3 bolts that hold the inner mounts of the rear tie rods were loose. These are the bolts that mount the tie rods to the differential. 2 were finger tight and one was barely tight at all. I had torqued these to spec (55 lbs. inch) when I had redone the rear-end a little over a year ago. I guess with many autocrosses that they work loose. This will be something I'll check after every event, now.
So, the moral of the story, before you go out and buy tie rod ends or new bearings, check those bolts first.
So, the moral of the story, before you go out and buy tie rod ends or new bearings, check those bolts first.
