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Topic: Tracking Slightly to the Left

in Forum: C3 Handling Components


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Re: Tracking Slightly to the Left (2/12)
 7/26/18 7:37pm
73shark
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Overland Park, KS - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.


Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 864

The tracking error is more likely caused by an alignment issue than the power steering leak. I would check to see that the power steering is properly centered before I did anything else.

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1973 L-82 4 spd

Re: Tracking Slightly to the Left (3/12)
 7/28/18 7:18pm
BillHanna
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Cana, VA - USA

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1975 Stingray 71 350 engine Flat top pistons Sniper fuel injection Hyperspark ignition Vintage Air air conditioning Borgeson power steering box


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Just to state the obvious -- low tire pressure on one side of the front can also cause it to pull to that side.



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Re: Tracking Slightly to the Left (4/12)
 7/28/18 11:38pm
F4GaryGold Member
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Grapevine, TX - USA

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Remember, when you get an alignment, get the front AND the rear aligned.

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Re: Tracking Slightly to the Left (5/12)
 7/29/18 9:54am
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

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#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


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Alignment, tire pressures, dragging brakes, even bearing issues can cause drifting. The PS valve adjustment usually will not cause much of a pull to one side while driving, unless it it waaaay off. Start by verifying tire pressures first, and make sure all 4 tires have the same amount of wear on them, as best you can.
Raise the front end/tires off the ground, with the wheels straight, and start the car. Do NOT reach in between the spokes of the steering wheel to do this!! Sit in the car to start it, but do not hold the steering wheel. If the PS valve is off, it can whip the wheel to one side HARD, and will hurt you! 
If the wheels move slowly to one side or the other, then the valve does need a minor adjustment. If they whip hard, then it needs a large adjustment. If they don't move at all, the valve is properly adjusted, and this is not causing your drift issue.
From there, it's alignment time. You will need to find a shop that is familiar with '63-'82 Corvette alignment procedures, and has the equipment to do it. Any alignment on these cars require front AND rear be done. Just setting the toe on the front ain't gunna cut it.


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Re: Tracking Slightly to the Left (6/12)
 7/29/18 10:51am
73shark
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Overland Park, KS - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.


Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 864

If the car has never had a rear alignment done, be prepared to replace the trailing arm bolt and shims (recommend getting a stainless steel kit) as they will not be usable due to rust. You also might want to check the strut rod attachments to make sure they are free and adjustable.

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1973 L-82 4 spd

Re: Tracking Slightly to the Left (7/12)
 7/29/18 7:19pm
NJAus
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, - Australia

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BillHanna said: Just to state the obvious -- low tire pressure on one side of the front can also cause it to pull to that side.




First thing I did was to check the tire pressures were correct and even
Re: Tracking Slightly to the Left (8/12)
 8/1/18 6:43am
NJAus
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, - Australia

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Adams' Apple said: Alignment, tire pressures, dragging brakes, even bearing issues can cause drifting. The PS valve adjustment usually will not cause much of a pull to one side while driving, unless it it waaaay off. Start by verifying tire pressures first, and make sure all 4 tires have the same amount of wear on them, as best you can.
Raise the front end/tires off the ground, with the wheels straight, and start the car. Do NOT reach in between the spokes of the steering wheel to do this!! Sit in the car to start it, but do not hold the steering wheel. If the PS valve is off, it can whip the wheel to one side HARD, and will hurt you! 
If the wheels move slowly to one side or the other, then the valve does need a minor adjustment. If they whip hard, then it needs a large adjustment. If they don't move at all, the valve is properly adjusted, and this is not causing your drift issue.
From there, it's alignment time. You will need to find a shop that is familiar with '63-'82 Corvette alignment procedures, and has the equipment to do it. Any alignment on these cars require front AND rear be done. Just setting the toe on the front ain't gunna cut it.

PS valve seems ok despite the slight leak. Booked in for a 4 wheel alignment, they think might take a couple of hours depending on difficulties encountered especially on the rear



|UPDATED|8/1/2018 3:43:07 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Re: Tracking Slightly to the Left (9/12)
 8/1/18 7:15am
NJAus
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, - Australia

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Currently own a white 1969 427 Big Block Coupe C3 Corvette


Joined: 6/6/2018
Posts: 30

I was also checking the steering, is there supposed to be a specific orientation of the rag joint with respect to the input of the steering box? Does the above look correct with my steering wheel pointed straight? 



(LARGE image modified to link-aapple)




|UPDATED|8/1/2018 4:15:29 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Re: Tracking Slightly to the Left (10/12)
 8/1/18 9:38am
manchestersharkLifetime Member
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Equinunk, PA - USA

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1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.


Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2382

connection looks good. There is only one way for it to go. If it isn't jerry rigged, which it doesn't appear to be, it is probably in good order. Trailing arms will play a big factor. Alignment will determine that, and reconcile problems.

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Re: Tracking Slightly to the Left (11/12)
 8/1/18 11:08am
73shark
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Overland Park, KS - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.


Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 864

Let us know how it goes and especially those rear trailing arms.

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1973 L-82 4 spd

Re: Tracking Slightly to the Left (12/12)
 8/1/18 2:08pm
gtr1999
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CHESHIRE, CT - USA

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1969 350 4 spd drop top 1972 350 auto coupe


Joined: 5/2/2016
Posts: 64

The rag is flat as it should be but that is a replacement rag, those were originally rivetted not bolted studs.

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