Well, this is my first post in these forums, but I've been lurking for a while as a guest. (Hi everybody) Anyways, I picked up a high miles 91 Z28 with an L98 a few weeks ago and I've been working on it just about every day in my free time. I'm new to all this DIY stuff, but I've been working my butt off to learn as much as I can and and have started to replace all the hoses and do the usual stuff (tune up, change all the fluids, etc). Anyways, what limited knowlege that I have of this car is mostly technical and engine related, I'm pretty clueless when it comes to brake and suspension work. I've been driving the car around town to try and get a feel for everything that's wrong with it, and since replacing most of the major issues that I've found under the hood, the feel of the engine has significantly smoothed out. I was driving around late last night in the middle of nowhere and had a lovely straight away infront of me so.. Well, I mean I kinda had to test out all the work I've been doing to my car. I was suprised with how well it pulled, pushed me back a bit and I went to give it a firm but not harsh push on the brakes and the entire front end of the car felt like it wobbled violently and the steering wheel shook in my hands. I thought I had locked up the brakes and immediately let off the brakes but the entire front end kept shaking for a moment and my buddy that I had driving behind me said that it looked like my front wheels were wobbling. I don't really like to take any of my cars to a shop, but I dropped it off this morning at a local tire and brake spot for diagnosis and they told me that my brakes looked just fine all around. He said there master tech said that Centerlink and Iddler Arms looked "very unsafe" and were probably what caused the issues. Again to reiterate I know next to nothing about suspension and brakes but I do know that just about every componant down there probably needs to be replaced because it drives rough as hell. Would those things be something that could cause the issues that I experienced? Also, if these parts are causing the issue, would this be a good idea to purchase and attempt to install myself? http://www.hotchkis.net/19821992_cam...build_kit.html

I love my camaro even though it needs lot's of work. I want to put the best parts possible back into her and any help/suggestions that ya'll have for me would be much appreciated. Thanks

 

Welcome aboard.

 

Thank you! =) If anybody knows anything at all as to what may be causing this, please let me know.

 

So I was digging through some old posts in this forum and found that some people had simular experiences to what I have when hitting pot holes and under hard braking like me. They called it the "death wobble"? And if my understanding is correct, it's typically caused by a crack in the frame behind the steering box. The post that I found died off after that comment.. so am I sol or can the problem be mended through welding and strengthening like sub frame connectors and a wonderbar?

 

You've gotta pull your steering box off, reweld the area thats cracked under the gear box, and get a wonder bar. Wouldnt hurt to go ahead and do tierods, center link, and idler/ pitman arms to be on the safe side.

 

Yup, do it. Pitman Arm has a chance of being ok.

Next up are poly bushings on your sway bars, and sway bar end links. Make your steering much more responsive.

 

Thanks! Looks like it's time to start saving up a bit.

 

If the centerlink and idler arm are bad, chances are the tie rods need replacement, or will soon. Replace everything from spindle to spindle, two inner and two outer tie rods, two adjuster sleeves, center link and idler arm. Then get an alignment and be done with it. Shop around and you can do this for around $150, plus the alignment.

Inspect your rag joint at the input to the steering box while you're there.

 

Yep. I recently went through this. The pitman arm is a non-wearing item and shouldn't need replacement. Just remember that after you replace the wear items, it is critical to get the alignment done..

 

Is it still critical to get an alignment after the LCA bushings are replaced ????

 

I would have an alignment done after I'v done any work done on the front end. Tires aren't cheap and unresponsive/sloppy steering is dangerous.

I'm pretty sure the OP's problem is in the steering linkage components which has already been somewhat verified by the local tire and brake shop.

For the money you are better off replacing the entire linkage assembly. Try to match up lengths/positions with your current parts) and get it to a reputable alignment shop.

 

Sweetmelissa, if you are talking about the rear lower control arm bushings, then generally no. If you are talking about the front control arm bushings, then yes always.

 

Just replaced my Idler arm and ball joint then drove it directly to an alignment shop...I did notice a while back something didn't look right with my front tires,,,right one wasn't sitting in the same location as the left one,,, was sticking out of the wheel well some.. Never had any uneven tire wear... My alignment results are:

Front: Actual Before Specified range
camber 0.4 0.4 -0.7 0.7
caster 0.2 0.2 -0.7 0.7
Cross Sa 0.1 0.0
Total Toe -0.05 0.35 -0.20 0.20

I couldn't believe the Toe !!!!!!!!!! this car was way out of alignment !!! I'm glad I haven't been driving it lately......

 

Also,, Does driving with the tires low on air pressure make them become unbalanced,,, like 20lbs low on each tire ........Should they be rebalanced ??

 

It can't hurt to check the balance, it will only make it drive better. One of the rules in the shop that I worked at was that if the tires came off, the balance got checked.