Unusual steering situation, 66-427

[Richard E.]

After complete rebuild of the front and rear suspension the following problems have arisen:




The rebuild was accomplished by a reputable shop as was the alignment (two independent shops).
The alignment tech. stated the car aligned easily, no issues. The car is aligned to these specs;
Front:
Rear:

The rebuild shop is very willing to investigate the problems however I would very much appreciate technical input before I return the car. (I hope this will save some trouble shooting time).
None of these issues existed prior to the work. The work was done to correct deteriorated bushings, old bearings, and general aging related issues of many components.

For reference the car is a factory big block with power steering. New A-arms (with pre-installed bushings and ball joints), new steering box, new wheel bearings etc. have all been installed. The power steering valve and ram was rebuilt (was leaking) along with all new hoses etc. A new dual master was installed with all new brakelines also.

The rear suspension has all new bushings, bearings, u-joins, brake lines, S.S. e-brake parts etc. installed. The car has a the factory rear spring with factory strut rods and factory sway bars front and back. Replaced bushings were rubber type except the sway bars now have poly bushings.

This performance (or lack thereof) is bit difficult to describe, I hope I have been clear enough that someone can recognize this situation.

I very much appreciate all suggestions.

Thanks in advance for all assistance!

[Edward J.]

Re: Unusual steering situation, 66-427

Rich is the car a power steering car? and the control valve was replaced?

[Richard E.]

Re: Unusual steering situation, 66-427

Hi Edward,
Yes, car is factory power steering. The control valve was not replaced but a "repair kit" was installed as I recall, which replaces some components. I would need to inquire with the shop for more details. Thanks.

[Edward J.]

Re: Unusual steering situation, 66-427

The control valve does have a centering adjustment, it's is in the shop manual on how to perform. Generally what happens when not correct the steering wheel will move by it's self on start-up.

[Richard E.]

Re: Unusual steering situation, 66-427

Yes, I think this adjustment must be revisited although the mechanic did adjust this, at least initially.
I am aware of this adjustment nut on the end of the valve as I recall. I have made this adjustment myself some years ago.

I do not think this would cause a very stiff steering situation however, but it might help the drift issue. Any thoughts on why the entire steering system is "tight"?

Thanks.

[Richard M.]

Re: Unusual steering situation, 66-427

Richard,

Does the wandering become more evident during acceleration or deceleration?

Tires, tires sizes, and tire condition can play a big role in straight line steering performance. Double check your tire sizes and condition. I once had a very unusual situation on a '65. We overlooked the obvious. A friend who owned the car inadvertently installed 2 smaller profile tires on one side, and the larger pair on the other side. He meant to have the larger tires at the rear and smaller tires at the front. Story here.....

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...633#post706633

One other thought, I had a 427 with PS. Right after installing the PS, we drove it. It wandered much. The Front Toe was too far out. After alignment the wandering stopped. Maybe you need a bit more Toe-In.

Rich

[Richard E.]

Re: Unusual steering situation, 66-427

Richard,
Thanks for comments. I should really try the acceleration- deceleration check again.
Truthfully I did not want to drive the car much the way it handles. The little bit I did drive it I would say not much difference on acceleration- deceleration.

Good point regarding the tires, all four are brand new Hankook Optimo H724, 205/75R15's.

I will revisit the toe-in.

I'm thinking I have a combination of issues; "hunting" caused possibly by power steering and alignment issues, but the overall steering stiffness problem I'm not sure what might cause this.

Thanks again.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Unusual steering situation, 66-427

Richard,

IMO, the suspension bushings would cause the alignment not to hold so being they are new I would rule that out as well as the new tires.

Who overhauled the steering box, that's where I would go first. Maybe disconnect the pitman arm and see how the steering wheel feels, there should be a snug feel (no play) at the straight ahead position and this has to do with the steering box.

[David H.]

Re: Unusual steering situation, 66-427

Does the car body seem to sit high on the suspension? (Were the a-arm bolts torqued with the suspension off the ground?). What about shock absorbers - are they standard length? (esp the length of the read shocks)

[Michael H.]

Re: Unusual steering situation, 66-427

Richard,
Thanks for comments. I should really try the acceleration- deceleration check again.
Truthfully I did not want to drive the car much the way it handles. The little bit I did drive it I would say not much difference on acceleration- deceleration.

Good point regarding the tires, all four are brand new Hankook Optimo H724, 205/75R15's.

I will revisit the toe-in.

I'm thinking I have a combination of issues; "hunting" caused possibly by power steering and alignment issues, but the overall steering stiffness problem I'm not sure what might cause this.

Thanks again.

Rich,

Not sure how much air pressure your running but I would run 32 psi or possibly more and see if that makes a difference.

Mike

[Richard E.]

Re: Unusual steering situation, 66-427

David,
Car body sits correct on suspension (basically sits somewhat low as it looked from factory and has always appeared).

I will inquire with shop about how a-arms were torqued.

Shock absorbers are brand new replacements from GM.

Thanks for comments.

[Richard E.]

Re: Unusual steering situation, 66-427

Hi Tim,
Actually the original steering box was replaced with a new Flaming River unit (16:1 ratio), no adjustments were made to the box itself per Flaming River direction other than aligning properly for installation per Flaming River procedure.

I am questioning the new box also, but not sure what could be wrong here?

Thank you.

[Richard E.]

Re: Unusual steering situation, 66-427

Will double check tire pressure, thanks much Mike.

[David H.]

Re: Unusual steering situation, 66-427

... Car body sits correct ... I will inquire with shop about how a-arms were torqued. ...

If the car is sitting correct no reason to ask about how the a-arms were torqued. thanks.

[Domenic T.]

Re: Unusual steering situation, 66-427

Richard,
Lots of things to check from the posts but I had a similar situation (searching) when I bought a new set of tires. They said the guarantee on the tires would not be valid unless they did an alignment. There was no unusual wear on the old tires but I bought into it and let them do the alignment. As soon as I hit the road the car was all over the place. I have standard steering. They tried to get it right a few times but never did and I finally got my money back for the alignment after a few weeks. They didn't seem to know how to do the rear alignment. I eventually did it myself and got it to drive right. I did notice that when the tires were in a straight line that one of the left wheel base was less than the right. The prior alignment was done by a old guy at the Chevy dealership I worked at and it was right on. my problem was directly related to the new tires & alignment.

DOM

Dom