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Topic: Lets Talk About Wandering on Freeway Ruts.

in Forum: C3 Handling Components


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Lets Talk About Wandering on Freeway Ruts. (1/4)
 4/2/15 11:19pm
EDeBella
Former Member

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Edmonds, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1980. Black with T-Tops.


Joined: 9/21/2014
Posts: 46

There seems to be a good amount of play in my steering, 1980, which really only shows up on the freeway where the roadway has some ruts from tractor trailer rigs have deformed the roadway surface. I am not talking 1972 F150 farm road truck wandering.....just getting my tires pulled to the right ornleft on the ruts and having a delay in the steering wheel actually reacting....which results in the wheel getting yanked fairly hard in my hands. Luckily i know where thes spots are located on the roadways so I am prepared for them.....and avoid them when possible. What is the cause if this extra play in the steering....is the "rag joint" I have heard about?
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Re: Lets Talk About Wandering on Freeway Ruts. (2/4)
 4/3/15 9:32am
Sarge81Lifetime Member
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WEST SENECA, NY - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Blue Ice Met. w/pearl ghost flames TKO500 5speed. LS1 Swap 3.45 Dana 44.


Joined: 12/3/2001
Posts: 2379

Provided you know for sure that the ball joints, tie rod ends, drag link, pitman arm, idler arm, control arm bushings, are all good, I would then have someone sit in the car and slowly move the steering wheel back and forth while observing the movement of the steering shaft to the movement of the pitman arm. If there is excessive slop there you'll probably need a steering box. If your rag joint is original I'd replace it regardless. That rubber piece in there does deteriorate with time and exposure to engine heat. 

Another area to check is the trailing arm bushings. If those are worn out that will cause the car to grab those ruts in the road. 

Alignment is critical in a properly handling Corvette. Most shops don't spend the time to properly set up a C3. If you change any suspension component on the car you'll need to find a shop that will spend the time to align it. 
 I had handling issues with mine after redoing the suspension. 2 chain shops aligned the car. It was never right. Then I found a local shop that specializes in Corvettes. It took them 8 hrs. to properly set the car up. It was expensive but the car goes straight down the highway.

If your steering box is worn out, do not buy one of those cheapo units on "flea bay," most of them are junk. If you need rag joint, I think a may have one around the shop. If your interested send me a PM. 


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GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.
3.54 Dana 44
'69 "N11" Sidepipes
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975




Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.


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Re: Lets Talk About Wandering on Freeway Ruts. (3/4)
 4/3/15 7:05pm
dads2vetteLifetime Member
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Ash Fork, AZ - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Red Interior White exterior


Joined: 4/18/2007
Posts: 1052

I second what Sarge said. He steered me(Big smile) to the same shop.  Although pricey, they did an outstanding job.
 
On a side note, on the way to Ebo's last year my car started to wonder all over the place, scared the crap out of me.  I have all new suspension and suspected the steering. After awhile I realized the problem.  While at Ebo's the discussion turned to drive there came up between Sarge and I as we took the same route.  We soon talked about the wobbliness in the steering realized we both came to the same conclusion during the drive.  It was the grooved pavement grabbing the new wider tires and "playing" with us.


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Dave C..........My mantra: I can not be bought!!      Long and short term leases available.
In the words of Zora Arkus-Duntov "Is your seat belt fastened? Alright, Let's go"


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Lifetime Member #192


Re: Lets Talk About Wandering on Freeway Ruts. (4/4)
 4/3/15 9:16pm
johnu
Standard Member
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Scottsdale, AZ - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Corvette Two-Tone Claret color, 4 spd, C7 Vert


Joined: 5/23/2007
Posts: 614

The local Firestone guy that does my daily drivers under a lifetime program "talked" a good game at knowing Vettes so I let him at it.  It's road manners over to the Gathering last year in WI were better then it would have been otherwise.  It was only 23 years since my last alignment. 
I know certain roads there that just about pull the wheel out of your hand.  A worn steering box also will add to the wheel slop.


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      Only 32 years together
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