My buddy is looking to purchase a 68 Cutlass and took it for a test drive. His dad noticed that when the car was going down the street that it did not seem to be tracking straight. According to him, it looked like the driver's side front was "sticking out" a bit when it was going away from where he was standing. The seller was assuring my friend that it has not been in an accident. He did not see any signs of frame damage. I am not sure, have not had a car myself with that issue. Does anyone have an idea as to what can cause this? Possibly the front end needs to be aligned?

 

The prime cause of this off-tracking is an accident. Other possible causes are bend front or rear control arms (hit a pothole, perhaps), bad suspension bushings, or an alignment. The alignment is the least likely.

 

I know he said that the rear control arms were replaced with new ones so that leaves the front end as suspect or as you said an accident. Is this something a good alignment shop can figure out for him?

 

Yes, it is possible the car has been in a crash. But how bad is the question. If it has, the chances are unlikely an alignment shop can "fix" the issue. One "quick-check" is to look and compare the gaps between the body panels, especially doors to fenders. If from the back the nose is shifted to the left, look for a large gap on the rt and a tight gap on the lft. Also look for abnormal gaps between hood and fenders. Plus, always look for tire wear!

 

He did not say anything about uneven gaps but he is going back to look at the car tomorrow. I'll keep everyone posted.

BTW, Eric where are you on Long Island? Thanks

Darrell

 

Darrel, I'm in Patchogue. How 'bout you?

 

Did the seller buy the car new? If not, does he know all the previous owners? If not, there is no way he knows if the car has been in an accident or not. Remember the car is 40 years old.

 

Ha! I live in Holbrook, 5 minutes away.


He does know the original owner. He said that other than a parking lot ding on the passenger fender and a curb dent on the drivers side rocker panel, there has been no other damage. He did say the front end was taken apart to restore it. He decided to sell the car so he reassembled it. Maybe something was not put back together the right way?

 

that could be your answer right there! the factory put like 500 shims in these cars to get them to line up!

 

....Sounds like the REAR is a little out of wack...I would check that first...

 

This might be the cause. Just because they are new does not eliminate them from possibly causing the tracking issue. You might ask "Why were they replaced?".

 

I bought a car once that the rear arms had been replaced. . . and they didn't tighten the bolts. They usually require a LOT of torque, and will definitely 'wallow' out the bushing holes and make it dog-track if they are not tight enough.

 

The standard control arms were replaced with boxed ones and it looked as if everything was tightened correctly.

 

Does it try to change directions when you let off the gas from hard acceleration? The 9C1 I bought had been "checked" but when you let off about 80, you had to be ready or you would go to the ditch! That's the reason the Sheriff traded it in so early in its life, and the reason I got it for $1250.
Anyway, there might not be anything wrong with the car, it might be just his Dad's perspective. . .
DW

 

He said it did not change direction when he let off the gas. Also, before he buys it, he is going to take it the alignment shop to have it checked out. Thanks for all the advice, I'll keep you posted.

Darrell

 

A rear wheel drive car will eventually "dog track" down the road because of a thrust angle alingment. When the alignment shop does an alignment on a rear wheel drive car they line up the front wheels with the rear wheels and don't necessarily ensure that the rear wheels are parallel to the frame. This is common on old trucks. If you take it to a shop and the alignment is good and there hasn't been any frame damage then it would probably be a good buy if the price is right.

 

Thanks for the info. I will pass it on and let you guys know what he finds out.