I've always had a problem with random "wandering of the steering to either the left or right" which tends to happen at higher speeds and lasts up to 5 mins at a time and stops for an hour or so. It is quite bad and I find myslelf fighting the steering. When it happens, it feels like the steering wheel is linked to the wheels by elastic?! (bad in other words!)

I've changed both ball joints, tie rods, the main central tie rod, both flexible front brake hoses and all main braking components at front as well as both front shocks. I'm getting exasperated (and out of pocket!!) -help!!

THE MAIN PROBLEM>>>

I also had someone else change the front shocks for me as I didn't have the time. Since then, I've had the car pulling to the left all the time (if i let go of the wheel it veers off to the left instantly).

I've had the toe-in-out tracking checked 3 times (!) and apparently it's perfect.

When I installed some rear shocks myself in another car, I had to leave the main nut at top undone til the wheels hit the floor so it's not badly set. As I didn't do this job myself, I doubt this was done -could this cause my left-pulling problem??

The only other thing I can think of is the main steering linkage? but I can't see how this could cause a left-hand pull. I'm not keen on checking the other tracking parameters as these have not been changed and will only make matters more difficult to solve if it's caused by something else...

thanks

PS -i've been told wide tires cause wheel wander, but the kind of wander I'm getting is so strong you have to fight the wheel -I know it's not right -really unpleasant to drive.

 

did you check the mounting area around your steering box. It is common for cracking to appear in this area. if you have any cracking you should stop driving the car immediately and get it fixed. It can cause what your describing abd once it starts it can progress very quickly.

 

have you adjusted the free play in the steering box...common on 3rd gens

 

thanks guys -I'm not going to drive it til I check it out thoroughly at the weekend. Do you know how to adjust the free play??

Does anyone have any ideas what could cause it to pull to the left so strongly (not the toe in-out) since changing the shocks. The guy that did it also fiddled with the hub bearings but I'm doubting this would cause it to pull to one side so strongly?

thanks for any suggs... the pulling to left (even if less of a major safety issue) is the more irritating of the two, though I'm going ot try and fix both at the weekend!

Andrew

 

incorrect toe won't cause a pull either way no matter how far it's off. Stuck caliper(you would probably notice a burning brake smell), really tight wheel bearing(jack up the front and give them a spin), too much left camber or not enough left caster. You don't have shocks on the front. Replacing the struts has a minimal effect on the alignment(camber/caster) normally. But if they removed the 3 nuts that hold the strut mount in place and moved it around the alignment will be all screwed up. Tire pressure the same on both front tires? Fix any cracks in the frame near the steering box and install a wonderbar. Check the rag joint. Tighten the steering box if it's loose. Verify the tires are worn fairly even. To check the tires, swap them left/right and see if it pulls the other way. Keep in mind that a screwed up alignment can cause the wandering as well as pulling.
Just to verify, you replaced
4 tie-rods
2 ball joints
2 struts
1 center link
1 idler arm ?

 

thanks for your suggestions... (your car looks way better than some cameros about 20 years newer!! )

I often mix up shocks and struts (I meant struts!)

Yeah, I've changed:

all tie-rods
2 ball joints
2 struts
1 center link (the big 1.5 inch diameter one?? -that's the one anyway)
1 idler arm ? -I'm not sure if that's the correct name for what I changed but it's a short arm (about 10 inches long running towards the front of car) between the larger center link and the steering bar on the passenger side?? I've not changed the similar shaped arm on the driver side (I believe that one's connected to the steering direct?).

The car also has brand new tyres (which were balanced) -I bought them thinking it could be the old ones! -I can't afford to spend anymore on guesswork. If anything, the left pulling problem got worse since changing them! They're getting ruined by the problem as they're getting scuffed -so it's not the fault of the tyres -I'll swap them round once I've fixed this prob though.

The steering wheel physically turns left if I let go -could a stuck caliper cause that -I think one of the rear calipers might be a bit dodgy but I can feel the car pulling left on the steering -it's very strong at speed -I'll check it out though.

thanks (though this car is making me very -steering problems are just the latest in my encyclopedia of problems!!!)

 

I've not changed the similar shaped arm on the driver side (I believe that one's connected to the steering direct?).

Thats fine, it's not considered a wear item (pitman arm). First thing, get an alignment so you don't kill your new tires. Most decent alignment shops will also check the front suspension for worn broken parts--they may come up with something. Tell them about the pull problem and the wandering. Have them drive it. A good mechanic should be able to diagnose the problem without too much trouble.

 

i HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM!
Changed:

1. steering box
2. idler arm
3. center link
4. inner/outter tie rods
5. tie rod sleeves
6. wheel bearings
7. ball joints.

>>>>> now this is the kicker, I had a t-56 put in, he said, everything seems good
You NEED to change out the FRONT CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS
and the end links while your at it
Please change the FCA bushings and let me know how it goes.
I would let you know, but i don't have money for the bushings at the present time.
Good luck!
* i was drinkin' at the time. :-D

 

thanks -funny, i was reading the summit catalogue and thinking it could be the bushings. I'm running out of money too! Yeah, I think I'll get the busihings fixed before getting hte tracking(alignment) checked again... (I'll postback when I've updated).