TrailBeast
AKA Mopars4us on Youtube
A few days ago I took my car (73 Dart) out for a 160 mile highway trip and noticed that it tracked strangely.
If I crossed a line of slightly uneven pavement it tended to veer that way and I would have to correct it back, or it would practically change lanes on it's own. (well not quite that bad) but it was a little scary the way it drifted around at 75 mph.
I decided I would chk my alignment the next day and found it was towed out about 3/4 of an inch, and thought "Ok, that explains a lot"
I got out the tape measure, backed the car up a little and then forward again to straighten the wheels and settle the suspension then re set the tow to 1/8 inch.
Here's the weird part,
I drive it down the street a ways and it felt really good but when I hit a little bump in the street I felt a major rolling resistance and the car slowed down quite a bit, so I let it roll to a stop and get out to take a look.
There was about 2 total inches of toe in (enough to make the tires squall on the pavement)
After looking things over I notice one of my strut rod bushings is split (drivers side) so I order a new set of Prothane bushings.
At the same time I ordered offset upper bushings, and all new Prothane lower control arm bushings.
I have been wanting to get the caster adjustment taken car of anyway because the car drifts in straight line driving (constantly having to correct a little bit down the road at 55-60 mph)
The steering box is in real nice condition with no slop in it at all, and is not loose or have cracked mounting on the frame.
It does not move at all when turning the steering wheel back and forth.
The idler arm only moves back and forth, with near zero up and down play in it.
I have one ball joint with a little click of play in it and have one to replace it with already.
This may be a clue as to what is going on also.
When I turn left or right either one, the wheels will dive into the turn that direction.
Meaning, If I let go of the wheel it will try to turn into the corner more
I was assuming this is because of the caster (sound right?)
So, in a nut shell if I set the tow to 1/8 inch the wheels will end up in that major tow in.
If I set it at zero, it drives ok but drifts and is majorly affected by uneven pavement.
Thoughts?
Am I on the right track with the suspension repairs?
(New strut rod bushings, upper and lower control arm bushings with offset uppers)
Thanks.
If I crossed a line of slightly uneven pavement it tended to veer that way and I would have to correct it back, or it would practically change lanes on it's own. (well not quite that bad) but it was a little scary the way it drifted around at 75 mph.
I decided I would chk my alignment the next day and found it was towed out about 3/4 of an inch, and thought "Ok, that explains a lot"
I got out the tape measure, backed the car up a little and then forward again to straighten the wheels and settle the suspension then re set the tow to 1/8 inch.
Here's the weird part,
I drive it down the street a ways and it felt really good but when I hit a little bump in the street I felt a major rolling resistance and the car slowed down quite a bit, so I let it roll to a stop and get out to take a look.
There was about 2 total inches of toe in (enough to make the tires squall on the pavement)
After looking things over I notice one of my strut rod bushings is split (drivers side) so I order a new set of Prothane bushings.
At the same time I ordered offset upper bushings, and all new Prothane lower control arm bushings.
I have been wanting to get the caster adjustment taken car of anyway because the car drifts in straight line driving (constantly having to correct a little bit down the road at 55-60 mph)
The steering box is in real nice condition with no slop in it at all, and is not loose or have cracked mounting on the frame.
It does not move at all when turning the steering wheel back and forth.
The idler arm only moves back and forth, with near zero up and down play in it.
I have one ball joint with a little click of play in it and have one to replace it with already.
This may be a clue as to what is going on also.
When I turn left or right either one, the wheels will dive into the turn that direction.
Meaning, If I let go of the wheel it will try to turn into the corner more
I was assuming this is because of the caster (sound right?)
So, in a nut shell if I set the tow to 1/8 inch the wheels will end up in that major tow in.
If I set it at zero, it drives ok but drifts and is majorly affected by uneven pavement.
Thoughts?
Am I on the right track with the suspension repairs?
(New strut rod bushings, upper and lower control arm bushings with offset uppers)
Thanks.