I have a 1972 Cutlass with a transplanted 455, and a 350 tran. From what I can tell it still has the stock rearend/gears....2.56's I think? The steering on this thing since I got it has been really loose. I have to keep adjusting it like crazy going down the road. All the suspension looks stock, probably hasent had an alignment in forever, all that will be looked at. My question is the car has some big 50's in the back, and being this is the first time I have ever driven a car with tires this big, how much do they affect steering? If I am going to be making this my daily driver (including daily highway driving) would it be smart to switch them out for "normal" tires, and leave the fatties for special occasions?

 

I don't think it is the rear tire width, look at the front steering components. I bet they are going to be the culprits.

 

X2. Rear tires will have nothing to do with it. Like was said, check steering components and then get it aligned. Make sure to keep on top of maintenance, greasing fittings on the steering after you replace what you need.

 

I'll third that diagnosis.

 

There seems to be some confusion left over from the 70's around what tires. The designation of 50, 60, 70 has absolutely nothing to do with width of the tire. That two digit number is the aspect ratio. A 50 series tire has a sidewall height that 50% of the overall width of the tire- everyone should look this up!

If your rear tires are tall enough to significantly move the center of garvity forward in the car than it will handle like crap and wear out your front end.

 

Mine was the same way, '68 GTO but basically the same. I replaced all the suspension parts, which I agree is the first place to look. I even had the column rebuilt because it had some slop too, still wandered, it does get tiring always correcting. Noticed how much the wheel turned back and forth before the wheels even turned while sitting and the only thing not new was the box so I replaced it and it drives great now. I put in the faster ratio which makes it turn quicker, it's no sports car but handles much better on the curves. May not be the box but it is often overlooked, lots of different worn front end parts can make it wander.

Allan

 

If the car was jacked up in the rear via air shocks etc in the past chances are you have some bad front end parts on it. I remember even as a kid making fun of the bozos with the rear in the air.