cuttysupreme72

The car likes to drift around in the front end and it just doesn't feel right when driving.

oldcutlass

Alignment.

cuttysupreme72

Well see. It isn't pulling to the left or right. Its "floating" sort of in ether direction.

boese1978

40 yr old car...visually inspect the entire front suspension looking for rotted away rubber bushings.

Allan R

Could also be front suspension parts worn. As boese1978 says check for rotten bushings on the upper/lower control arms, and also check for ball joint wear. Doing an alignment is a waste of $$ if you have to take it apart to replace worn out parts.

Start with the easiest stuff that doesn't cost a lot. You should be able to get a good opinion on a 2 wheel alignment from a good shop. Is the steering sloppy, like there's excessive play? Don't forget these old cars aren't going to feel like a rack and pinion.

oldcutlass

It can walk all over if the alignment is off! It can also be worn parts, but those would generally cause it to pull.

Olds64

Alllan has a good point. Start with what is easy. Inspect and lube the steering components then go from there.

Allan R

HIYA Jesseee!!! (well you called me Alllan so it's fair I guess). WELCOME back!! I talked to Dan about ya a while back and he filled me in on some details. So what's the scoop? You'll have to update the 71 thread with what you've done or are about to go on with.

So good to see you again!

MDchanic

A loose pitman arm or idler arm, or a pair of loose tie rods will make it wander, a very loose steering box, too.

Get under there and carefully check every component. There should be NO play.

- Eric

cuttysupreme72

Ok well I went out and did a full front end inspection. There was play in both front wheel bearings, so I pulled off the caps and checked them out. And niether bolt was tight ether wheel bearing, I could I could screw them in and out with my fingers!! So I pulled out the cotter pins and tightened them up! Also I have a sway bar link and bushing thats in really bad shape. So I'm guessing those were the culprits. Thanks for the input guys!

MDchanic

Was the play about 0.008", by any chance?

They're supposed to be finger tight.

I trust you followed the instructions below when you tightened them:



Oh, and bad sway bar bushings will not cause your symptoms, they'll just make it roll more in the curves.

I'm beginning to wonder whether your sig file isn't frighteningly apropos.

- Eric

Olds64

Make sure your wheel bearings are tightened properly if they are too tight you will damage them.

Allan R

Eric, beat me to the punch bud! I was thinking that too. Remember I just went through that front end rebuild last year and the horror is still fresh in my mind.

cuttysupreme72

No it wasn't eight thousandths. It was literaly not even touching the bearing. And no I didn't over tighten it. Come on guys.. I've been doing this stuff for years.

MDchanic

Hey, we don't know ya. We see all kinds of people around here, and sometimes they do some scary things...

Glad you got it taken care of!



- Eric

oldcutlass

So now my question is how does it drive now? I'm willing to bet it still road walks.

cuttysupreme72

No now the handling is much better, and rather than walking all over the road it just pulls lightly to the left consistently, so i'm guessing thats just alignment.

cuttysupreme72

Ahh its ok. Thanks for all the help!

Lady72nRob71

Try rotating your tires to see if that helps your pulling issue first. It has cured some of my pulling issues long ago. Your tires could have been worn abnormally fromthe loose wheel bearings.
If that is not it, then do the alignment. The tires needed rotation anyway....

cuttysupreme72

Well I would, but I have 235 70 15's on the back and 205 55 15's on the front.