Steering/Wandering while driving - Forums - Official C3 Vette Registry

SPONSOR AD

Support our Vendors! | Advertise Here

Topic: Steering/Wandering while driving

in Forum: C3 Handling Components

Already a Member?
Login
Not yet a Member?
Register for Free!

Back to top of thread

Re: Steering/Wandering while driving (12/22)
2/10/15 4:45pm

Sarge81

Lifetime Member
Send Private Message

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

Like Joel mentioned, did they actually spent the time to correctly set up the rear suspension? After I rebuilt my front and rear suspension I had 2 auto shops do the alignment over a course of a few years apart. The car always seemed "darty" to me.

But then I was turned onto a local guy that does a proper alignment on C3's. It took him a full 8 hrs to set up the car and it was $350 for the alignment. Sounds like a long time and a lot of money, but I'll tell you what...my car was a dream to drive after he was done. C3's are not easy to set up the rear suspensions properly.

______________

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.

Lifetime Member #26

Quote

Re: Steering/Wandering while driving (13/22)
2/11/15 6:10pm

wetvet
Standard Member
Send Private Message

Lake Oswego, OR - USA

Vette(s):
1972 Steel Cities Gray T Top. Original Owner, Original Paint and Interior. The running gear has been rebuilt. only 250,000 miles on the clock..

Joined: 10/17/2003
Posts: 553

Sarge81 said: Like Joel mentioned, did they actually spent the time to correctly set up the rear suspension? After I rebuilt my front and rear suspension I had 2 auto shops do the alignment over a course of a few years apart. The car always seemed "darty" to me.

I will bring this information to my buddy. Hopefully a re-check of the PS control Valve with me and then off to a new alignment shop.
Thanks for all you input.

______________

(click to see a larger image)

"It Takes A Little Longer To Do It Right"
"It Takes A Lot Longer To Do It Again"

Quote

Re: Steering/Wandering while driving (14/22)
2/12/15 3:43am

daveo76
Former Member
Send Private Message

Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.

Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 857

Steve, if your buddy wanted to trek up here to the 'couv he could take it to Carl's Alignment and Brake on St John's Road. He did mine and it handles great. I know he did the back because when I picked it up he showed me how they had to shim the t-arms (and told me what a PITA it was Tongue

). I take all my cars there for alignments now.

I've heard of alignment shops that don't know about the eccentric bolts on the strut rods and will actually bend the rods to get the camber correct. Probably want to stay away from those places.

______________

1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.

Quote

Re: Steering/Wandering while driving (15/22)
2/12/15 1:54pm

daveo76 said: Steve, if your buddy wanted to trek up here to the 'couv he could take it to Carl's Alignment and Brake on St John's Road. He did mine and it handles great. I know he did the back because when I picked it up he showed me how they had to shim the t-arms (and told me what a PITA it was Tongue

). I take all my cars there for alignments now.

I've heard of alignment shops that don't know about the eccentric bolts on the strut rods and will actually bend the rods to get the camber correct. Probably want to stay away from those places.

Thanks for the info. I'll pass it along.

______________

(click to see a larger image)

"It Takes A Little Longer To Do It Right"
"It Takes A Lot Longer To Do It Again"

Quote

Re: Steering/Wandering while driving (16/22)
1/5/17 7:54pm

VETTEWITHLEGS
Former Member
Send Private Message

KINGSPORT, TN - USA

Vette(s):
1981 COUPE, 350/350 DAILY DRIVER. 1972 COUPE, 468, M21, 4.11 REAR. ,4 mpg.

Joined: 1/14/2015
Posts: 1

DID HE REPLACE THE RAG JOINT? HAS HE TRIED TO ADJUST THE STEERING BOX? HAS HE CHECKED OUT THE COLUMN FOR ANY PLAY? MAYBE IN THE JOINT WHERE IT TILTS? I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM IN MY 72. REPLACED ALL THAT HE DID, PLUS RAG JOINT. WENT FROM 1-2 INCHES IN BOTH DIRECTIONS TO 1/2 TO 3/4 INCH TOTAL. 72, 468, M21, MANUAL BRAKES, PS, NO AIR, 1983 LACQUER PAINT.

72, 468, M21, MANUAL BRAKES, PS, NO AIR, 1983 LACQUER PAINT.

Quote

Re: Steering/Wandering while driving (17/22)
1/5/17 8:39pm

johnu
Standard Member
Send Private Message

Scottsdale, AZ - USA

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

Joined: 5/23/2007
Posts: 614

Another consideration is the highway he is on. Older asphalt highways with worn tire "grooves" are not flat. These will toss me around as the wide 255/60's are dancing in and out of the grooves.

______________

Only 32 years together

Quote

Re: Steering/Wandering while driving (18/22)
1/6/17 12:32pm

Steevo
Limited Member
Send Private Message

San Diego, CA - USA

Vette(s):
'73 L48 Coupe, 383, M20, A/C, Electric Windows. Matterhorn White Jet-Glo w/ Dark Blue interior. Rochester, Edelbrock, Blackjack Ceramics, Borlas w/ 2.5" mandrel X over, Cooper Cobras on both OEM Steel and Aluminum Wheels.

Joined: 11/10/2013
Posts: 53

Steve,

I would start the problem solving attempt by raising the front end so both tires clear the ground. Then I'd grab each tire, first at the 3 and 9 o'clock position and rock back & forth, looking for play. It checks for loose bearings and worn Tie-rod components. Then rock the wheels at the 6 & 12 o'clock position, checking for Knuckle Ball Joint wear as well. He might find something worn.

My two cents.

Steve

______________

Quote

Re: Steering/Wandering while driving (19/22)
1/6/17 12:55pm

DaveM

Lifetime Member
Send Private Message

Flanders, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1982 Black, ZZ4, Hooker Side Pipes, 3.55 Rear, Rebuilt & upgraded 700R4, All new suspension, brakes, & new Charcoal interior.

Joined: 1/27/2004
Posts: 2552

johnu said: Another consideration is the highway he is on. Older asphalt highways with worn tire "grooves" are not flat. These will toss me around as the wide 255/60's are dancing in and out of the grooves.

Only you would have a Vette that dances!

Dave

______________

Lifetime Member #116
Dave's '82

Quote

Re: Steering/Wandering while driving (20/22)
1/6/17 1:54pm

snake97
Former Member
Send Private Message

Metairie, LA - USA

Vette(s):
1979 Black, Oyster interior purchased in March 1980

Joined: 7/7/2013
Posts: 24

I had the same problem. The car was drifting a bit. I didn't realize how bad it was until I replaced the steering box. I was getting used to it and adjusting my driving without realizing it. I bought a rebuilt box from a small co. out of Texas, and it has been fine. Old tires will make your car drift also. I had some that looked great but were a few years old and caused a drift. When I put on new tires it was like a different car.

Quote

Re: Steering/Wandering while driving (21/22)
1/6/17 2:27pm

persico
Standard Member
Send Private Message

Long Valley, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1972 454 Coupe, 4 speed, Targa Blue with blue interior, luggage rack 2019 Grand Sport Coupe, M7, Ceramic Matrix Gray with gray interior

Joined: 3/21/2007
Posts: 292

johnu said:

Gary is the guy I'd have do mine when I get it off some day.�� A lot of his business is rebuilding rebuilt boxes from some big name vendors in the vette world.� I never read a comment from a customer of his boxes that were less then amazed at the result.

gary.ramadei@radiall.com�

I I was considering a Borgeson unit until reading this do recommend this rebuild over a new Borgeson?

______________

Mario

Quote

Re: Steering/Wandering while driving (22/22)
4/3/17 5:20pm

Just an update. The control valve was not properly working. My friend purchased a rebuilt unit. So, now he has a Brand New control valve and Ram installed. The car now track great.
Thanks for all your input on the topic.

______________

(click to see a larger image)

"It Takes A Little Longer To Do It Right"
"It Takes A Lot Longer To Do It Again"

Quote

Our Sponsors help support C3VR