I was with a friend of mine who have a 1971 with PS and PB. When we went for a drive the car seems to wander on the freeway. He's has had the front end rebuilt with all new ball joints , tie rod ends, HD pitman arm. along with new a arm bushings. Then he just had installed a new steering Box along with a new steering control valve and slave piston. Took it to the alignment shop, along with the balance of all 4 wheels and tires.
When he is driving on the freeway the steering wheel needs to be corrected by turning back and forth about 1-2 inches - back and forth.
So any Ideas as to why it still wanders?

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"It Takes A Little Longer To Do It Right"
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Did he replace the steering shaft coupler? Often referred to as a "rag" joint.

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GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.

Yes that was replaced when the steering box was replaced.

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

Maybe he got a badly rebuilt steering box.

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This was all done on my 68 back in the 90's but I didn't replace the steering box. 

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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 

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He doesn't just rebuild them, he blueprints them.  Better than new.


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Has he had anything done on the rear of the car? Toe, and camber settings on the rear must also be done to keep the car tracking properly. I've spoken with a few Corvette techs that absolutely HATE doing rear alignments on these cars. Even at the dealer, they don't spend much time making sure it's right..."close enough" is close enough for some of them.

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

 I did my front-end, and only after doing the back did it behave correctly on the road.

|UPDATED|2/10/2015 6:06:35 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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Yes, it was a 4 wheel alignment. The Steering box was a Redhead from WA State.

|UPDATED|2/10/2015 10:05:58 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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"It Takes A Little Longer To Do It Right"
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Well, hopefully, they actually did the rear alignment, and dint just say they did. 
Another idea....do we know if the new steering control valve is adjusted properly? Doesn't take much to make one wander if it's off. Raise the front end/tires off the ground, get the wheels pointed straight forward, and start the engine(do NOT reach thru the steering wheel to hit the key!). If the valve is adjusted right, the wheels/steering will not move AT ALL, in either direction. If the steering even looks like it's trying to move, the valve adjustment is off.

Does it wander regardless of what side of the road(left lane/right lane) he's on? The crown on the road can do that, too, depending on how much crown there is. Just another thought.


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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

 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. 

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GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.

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.



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"It Takes A Little Longer To Do It Right"
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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 ).  I take all my cars there for alignments now.  

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



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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.

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.


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Steve,

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Only you would have a Vette that dances!Dave



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Lifetime Member #116
Dave's '82

   

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.

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

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Mario

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.


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