C3 handling issue .. up date

[Dale P.]

Some time ago I posted a question concerning handling issues with my 71 LS5 .. it always feels like the right rear wants to pass to the right front (best way I can word it) .. well there seemed to be two schools of thought .. the first was the PS valve .. well went down that road .. and went over every nut, bolt, washer, tie rod end, etc etc etc and even adjusted the PS valve (again) .. things were a little better but not great ..... SO I went after the right rear .. completely removing the training arm .... well it appears as if I am in for some fun .... so far I have found the wheel bearing end play to be way out of spec., all of the rubber bushings are bad (strut rod, trailing arm and spring cushions), the parking brake shoe has a point where it drags (possibly bent spindle ???), very tight outer "U" joint .. this is what I have found so far .. my plans are to send the spindle back to the machine shop to have it check for straightness .....

My questions are .. What are exceptable runout measurements for a spindle? Should I have the spindle checked with the brake rotor still on??? Should I have the machine shop look at the rotor with respect to the spindle .. IE running true (No wabble).. should the rotor be machined if the spindle is running staight (as checked on the bearing surfaces)and the rotor is showing a "wabble" AND the final question ... can I get away with doing the right rear now and the left later over the winter (I would like to get some more driving time it before it snows)

[Wayne C.]

Re: C3 handling issue .. up date

>>> Some time ago I posted a question concerning handling issues with my 71 LS5 .. it always feels like the right rear wants to pass to the right front (best way I can word it) >>>

Hard to understand what you mean here, WHEN does it want to "pass".... if I take it literally, it sounds like the rear alignment is bad.

[Dale P.]

Re: C3 handling issue .. up date-clarification

the right rear feels like it wants to pass the right front when driving highway speeds .. and is worse when the steering wheel is turning to the left

[Mike McKown]

Re: C3 handling issue .. up date

If the left rear isn't broke, don't fix it. The only thing you stand to lose is the alignment charge doing it again when you take the left rear apart. I don't know why, most of the rear ends I have seen get loose have been on the right. I have seen posts to the contrary. But, if it ain't broke, don't fix it..

Mike

[Dale P.]

Re: C3 handling issue .. up date .. shocks TOO!

well today brought out the fact that the rubber inserts in the shock "eyes" are also "gone" ... Since this is mostly an orginal car is it best to find the rubber replacements (IF available)for the shocks or just purchase new shocks .. if new shocks where and what brand are considered correct replacements?

[Duke W.]

Re: C3 handling issue .. up date

I sounds like you are trying to say that the rear of the car wanders and
it wants to oversteer in corners.

Specifications and other information are in the '71 Chassis Service and Overhaul manuals. From your description of the rear suspension components it sounds like they are worn out, and a complete rear suspension rebuild is in order. Once the training arms are off it's best to rebuild them and get it over with. Also, it would be a good idea to remove the differential carrier and remove the rear cover for an inspection. There's probably a good change that the positration clutches are worn out. (The service manual tells you how to do an on the car check to determine the health of the positraction). Also, yoke end play should be checked.

I gather that your car has a lot of miles. If so, a lot of the major systems are probaby at end of life and need attention. I guess that's how most of use get into major restorations.

Duke

[Dale P.]

Re: C3 handling issue .. up date

thanks Duke ........ I will try to keep everyone up to date as to what all is found ... the only real bad part is the car really doesn't have many miles .. actually only 23800 and some change ...... I think most of these issues are from the car actually just sitting ... the bushing are worn real strange .. not worn out but look funny like the holes are off center .. hard to explain .. you are correct the arms will be rebuilt and hopefully this will soon be just a bad memory