5Bowtie4
Forum Newbie
Posts: 2
Reg: 06-30-12
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 06-30-12 02:15 PM - Post#2243026
Hey folks I've a 54 BelAir that has installed on it bolt on behind the crossmember rack and pinion steering. The problem I'm having is that the wheels seem to have some wheel walking going on. The steering wheel feels fine without any play. If any of you know how to fix this let me know
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 18inchapes
"2nd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 331
Age: 45
Loc: Jackson, NJ
Reg: 10-18-08
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06-30-12 10:54 PM - Post#2243180
In response to 5Bowtie4
what exactly do you mean "wheel walking"? the steering is "twitchy". Is that what you mean? A little more info please. Jeff
1952 Chevy hardtop
1932 Plymouth PB 3 window coupe
1940 Willys sedan
1964 Chevy II SS
1966 Pontiac GTO hardtop
Jeff |
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VANDENPLAS
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 1458
Age: 33
Loc: ontario canada
Reg: 07-29-09
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07-01-12 04:08 AM - Post#2243205
In response to 18inchapes
what kinda front end?
stock,clipped,tci?
when you say wheel walking does the car seem to "wander" and follow the ruts in the road?
as much info about the car and what/how it was done would be great.
was the alignment ever checked /done by a proper front end shop?
Every mother on Earth gave birth to a child.Except my mother,she gave birth to a legend .
ALWAYS TRUST PEOPLE WHO LIKE BIG BUTTS,THEY CANNOT LIE. |
Edited by VANDENPLAS on 07-01-12 04:09 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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5Bowtie4
Forum Newbie
Posts: 2
Reg: 06-30-12
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07-02-12 03:39 PM - Post#2243710
In response to VANDENPLAS
The frame is original. The rack and pinion power steering is from Modified Specialties out of Friendswood, TX. It bolts on behind the crossmemeber. I have also installed new king pins as well as Monroe shocks. You are right on target. The steering wheel feels fine, but I can feel the wheels wanting to follow ruts and bumps in the road through the body movement of the car. Prior to the install of the bolt on rack and pinion power steering package the car rode fine.The alignment was done by the best alignment guy we have in town. I hope this gives you something to work with. I have asked several mechanics in the area and no one seems to have an answer as how to fix it. I think if I can more accurately define the issue I might be able to get this fixed. BTW I can't crawl around the car like I used to so I need this help so I can tell someone how to fix it.
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53belair
"2nd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 825
Age: 57
Loc: Ellerslie, Georgia
Reg: 03-25-07
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07-02-12 04:01 PM - Post#2243720
In response to 5Bowtie4
That's a setup thatI'm not familair with. I've seen lots of r/p mustang II converisons on our cars but not a r/p that works with the original suspension. If you haven't contacted the manufacturer with your concerns that would be the first place I'd start. Fatman had issues with bumpsteer in the early versions of their system and have fixed it. Most manufacturers get feedback from customers and use it to make their product better. I doubt that your problem is isolated to the unit on your car if there are other similar models out there and the company is still in business..
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 53Chevy
"4th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 163
Loc: Davenport, IA
Reg: 02-18-04
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07-02-12 04:42 PM - Post#2243731
In response to 53belair
On my 53, before I installed the Jag front-end I had a Vaga rack and pinion setup. My first problem was I had "dropped uprights" with 1 1/2 coils cut out of the springs. This caused the rack to sit lower than the tie-rods. If it had not been lowered they would have been level with each other. What helped with the bumpsteer was to have it toe-in about 1 1/2 degrees more than normal. That caused a little more tire wear, but it helped with the bumpsteer. There nothing that will make you pucker more than to be on a narrow bridge, hit some bumps and not know which way your car was going to go. My suggestion would be to have them set the toe-in in a little more and see if that might help.
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 bobg1951chevy
"6th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 4877
Loc: Ellijay, GA
Reg: 02-18-08
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07-02-12 11:21 PM - Post#2243858
In response to 53Chevy
Keep in mind, toe in is not measured in degrees. Example would be + 1/8" ... means 1/8" toe out or 1/8" positive.
Caster and camber are in degrees. 
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18inchapes
"2nd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 331
Age: 45
Loc: Jackson, NJ
Reg: 10-18-08
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07-04-12 10:14 PM - Post#2244626
In response to bobg1951chevy
I wonder if you have too much pressure? What P/S pump are you using? GM pump? if so, do you have a pressure reducing flow valve installed in the pump?
The GM pumps put out 3 gallons per minute (GPM)
and the power racks (usually Ford design, mustang II or T-bird) wants 2 GPM
This is what i'm talking about.....
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Mustang-II-Power-Ste...
Jeff
1952 Chevy hardtop
1932 Plymouth PB 3 window coupe
1940 Willys sedan
1964 Chevy II SS
1966 Pontiac GTO hardtop
Jeff |
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53belair
"2nd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 825
Age: 57
Loc: Ellerslie, Georgia
Reg: 03-25-07
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07-05-12 07:26 AM - Post#2244682
In response to 18inchapes
I remember that someone (maybe Walton) made a bracket to adapt a Ford Probe pwr steering pump to mount on a chevy. The Probe pump was the correct pressure for the mustang rack. I tried to find a link to it but no luck so far. It was a cheap way to get to where Flaming River would take you with their custom rack and pump set up for about two grand.
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VANDENPLAS
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 1458
Age: 33
Loc: ontario canada
Reg: 07-29-09
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07-05-12 03:58 PM - Post#2244836
In response to 53belair
Is the car lowered ? If so how much? As has been stated the stock front emd if lowered too much suffers from significant bump steer.
There are company's out there that make modified steering arms ( the part the tie rod bolts to behind the hub) to help this issue.
Also the pump could be over pressurizing the rack and giving you too much assist, if this is the case then any steering input either from you or the road will be exagerated,
Gm likes to use a relief valve or a restrictor in the high
Pressure line to dial in the steering effort needed for a particular vehicle.
Also the alignment shop that dI'd your alignment did they go by the " book and get it on the green" or did they look at the live readings all the angles combined and adjust according to the car and the steering system used? It makes a huge difference on the out come of a " good" aliginment and a proper alignment.
Lots of things to look at and consider before Condeming one part or issue
Every mother on Earth gave birth to a child.Except my mother,she gave birth to a legend .
ALWAYS TRUST PEOPLE WHO LIKE BIG BUTTS,THEY CANNOT LIE. |
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