Guys, erratic/loose steering in general prompted me to rebuild my front end. I mean the steering was horrible...I couldn't go around someone & feel safe. I have almost finished the suspension rebuild with just a few exceptions that are coming soon. I have SFCs to weld on next week, and I have new KYB AGX Adjustable Struts, but it will take me a couple of weeks to afford Spohn's billet mounts (that's what I want). Lastly I guess I could check the wheel bearings.

I have rebuilt the front end with MOOG...the only exception is the centerlink, which looked to be fine. I replaced the springs with an Eibach Pro Kit, and the ball-joints, and the tierod ends, and the sway bar bushings & connectors to the A-Frame. I replaced the A-Frame bushings. The rear already has new KYB AGX Adjustables, and the front will have them soon (as I mentioned). The steering gear was replaced with a rebuilt one, and the rag joint was replaced.

It doesn't drive quite as bad as it did before, but in the corners (even a slight corner), it is still erratic. It is almost like oversteer. I have checked all the bolts to make sure they are torqued...even the crossmembers. I'm down to replacing the strut mounts in hopes that that may help. If not, I'll change the wheel bearings, then I'll replace the centerlink...that is all that is left.

Does this sound like a bad alignment job perhaps? I just took it in & asked for a 4-wheel alignment...I didn't mention that the car had been lowered , and I didn't give them any specs. Is this likely the problem, or can you guys point to anything I may be overlooking? I'd suspect the steering gear...but this one is fresh. AGGHHHHHHA!

 

I seem to have the same problem and have been working on it for quite a while. I notice it most around higher speed long sweeping turns. It does feel like oversteer to me, but then will correct itself and seem to straighten out OK and then oversteer again. Erratic as you say.

I have pretty much the same setup as you, but with the cheaper KYBs. I also have all MOOG up front including centerlink.

I also suspect wheel bearings, I plan to replace them soon, but first I want to install an STB ( should get any day ) and LCA relocation brackets ( will arrive Monday ).

I hope we can keep this thread going until we get our problem solved.

Gary

 

hey guys....i had the same problem with my '85 t/a and what it turned out to be were the rear sway bar end link bushings were shot on my car. i would be going around a sweeping curve and the rear end would feel like it wanted to slide out from under me and then would correct itself then it would start the cycle all over again. scared the crap out of me the first time i exited an off-ramp at 60 mph when i first got the car !!!!
just something for y'all to check out..

 

Hmmm...possibly something in the rear, eh? I'll check my rear out again...my car doesn't have a rear swaybar, though. It didn't come with one, and I never added one. Thanks!

 

Scott,
Could you post your alignment specs. Mine are:

Left Right
Caster: 2.9 3.3
Camber: 1.4 1.2
Toe 0.0 0.0

I'm sure that more caster would help. Like you, I didn't tell my alignment shop that the car was lowered and asked them to align it to my specs. Of course they wouldn't do it, like all the other alignment shops I've checked. They only do what the machine tells them to do. After I'm done with all my upgrades I'll find a real alignment shop.

lowiesbird also got me thinking more about about suspension bind. I don't recall greasing up the my new MOOG A-arms or sway bar bushings ( front and back ). It's been about a year. I'm going to check them ASAP.

Another thought - from reading other posts, it sounds like the power steering pump can cause screwy handling. Thats gonna be last on my list.

Other ideas would be appreciated,

Gary

 

I don't know for sure what specs were used, so I'm assuming stock:
Caster +3 degrees +/- .5 degree
Camber +1 degree +/- .5 degree
Toe in .15 degree +/- .5 degree

I'd prefer to use (from the performance handbook & the tech article on this site):
Caster +5 degrees +5.5 degree
Camber -1 degree - 1 degree
Total Toe 3/32 inches

I have changed my power steering pump, too. When I did my front suspension rebuild, as I was putting the power steering pump back on, my crowbar slipped & power steering fluid went everywhere. $60 more dollars added to the suspension rebuild.

I'm going Tuesday to have my SFCs welded on. I'll let you know what that does with regards to this problem, if anything.

Scott

 

I just installed BMR LCA Relocation Brackets. The car does feel alot better in the rear end, but the problem is still there.

I didn't mention this before but the problem is much more pronounced on right turns. I tested the car a little more critically after installing the LCARBs. It seems the car resists right turns more than left turns. Although the steering wheel turns very easily in either direction. Is something bent, binding, out of balance, bad power steering pump ? Or, could it be something as simple as alignment ( more caster ) - I don't know.

Need to get an STB and try that, but having trouble finding one that will work on a dual snorkle carb. setup with A/C compressor on the driver side. The Kenny Brown STB looks like it might work but I'd rather find a cheaper Jamex. Does anyone know of an STB that will fit without modification. Please don't tell me to build one myself.

Gary

 

I got my car back from having the Sub-Frame Connectors installed (Aston) today...it was rainy so I didn't drive it too hard, but it appears that my steering problem is fixed! A good day of driving next week will tell, but here are my notes so far--

It drives 300% better. It doesn't seem to oversteer in the corners & turns at all after the SFCs. If I turn really sharp, & slow in the parking lots, the car jerks like it is having a seizure, but other than that, it seems much better.

Is this good? I don't know...I'm worried about my car's frame now. What do you guys think about THAT? Should SFCs help casual cornering that much? Any advice is appreciated. I guess I could take it to a frame shop & let them take a look?? I just don't want the SFCs to mask another problem.

 

Good to hear that you fixed the oversteer issue.

Not quite sure what you mean by "jerking like having a seisure". Could it be that alignment problem I think we both have.