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Steering just a bit too loosey goosey
by
ORCoaster
on 15 Feb, 2012 21:41
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Since I do most of my driving at hwy speeds I find my steering a bit too sensitive as I cruise down the lane. Is there an adjustment on it someplace where I can make it just a bit stiffer so I am not so prone to weaving in the lane. I am going to get pulled over some day I know it. All it takes is a touch of the wheel and the car is jumping in that direction. Turns like a charm at low speeds but I wouldn't mind having to give it a bit more effort if it made the car more stable at 65 mph.
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#1
by
maxfax
on 15 Feb, 2012 21:59
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Do you have p/s? How's your alignment?? If the wheels are toed out or if there isn't enough caster they'll act like that.. Of course there is no adjustment for caster.. Usually toe being off will show in tire wear, but I've seen a few rare cases that is was off enough to drive funky, but not noticeably wear the tires..
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#2
by
8v-of-fury
on 15 Feb, 2012 22:20
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Definitely sounds like an alignment problem.
If you stay off the highway, more toe out, and some toe-in in the back will make it an autocross champion racer!
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#3
by
maxfax
on 15 Feb, 2012 22:49
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Another thing to check, especially after your vibration woes, check the tires! My Caprice has been much the same way for the last several months.. That and it has had a slight vibration from 50 to 60 (rattled the change in the cup holders
).. Checked suspension, alignment, and tires.. Rear tires were crap, the cause of
some of the vibration, and with winter on it's way they got replaced.. Gave up for a while and decided to run it till something flew apart (The easy way to diagnose!
).. Finally! Yesterday I was checking things for inspection and although I could feel or see no bulge, I could see one section of the tread was worn more than the rest.. Very slight, but enough to tell a belt be busted.. Unfortunately they don't always show up as drastically as the one that got you all shook up...
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#4
by
smutts
on 16 Feb, 2012 06:13
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Check your rear beam bushes too.
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#5
by
spltshft
on 16 Feb, 2012 06:33
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Get an alignment. You never want to just make an adjustment when it comes to suspension or steering.
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#6
by
CRSMP5
on 16 Feb, 2012 10:50
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if its the bunny.. you have too much positive camber.. which is STOCK.. on mk1 i tend to go negative.. the more negative you go the less twitchy it will become.. myself 1* negative is a good comprimise.. you can go more if you want.. and i tend to stick to 2-3mm of toe in... stock is toe out...
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#7
by
745 turbogreasel
on 16 Feb, 2012 12:31
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Get an alignment. You never want to just make an adjustment when it comes to suspension or steering.
I do...
Drive till you know which wheel exhibits the worst characteristics, analyze which way you think it needs to go, and make a small adjustment. If it doesn't help, set it back
As little as 1/8th turn of a tie rod can make a substantial and positive difference even on a car that is aligned within spec.
Also, specs do not take into account actual equipment and changes to the car.
I own lasers for aligning cars, but most of the time I go by ear/feel, and all my tires on everything go bald all the way across before I have to rotate them.
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#8
by
ORCoaster
on 16 Feb, 2012 13:54
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thanks for all the ideas guys. This car rolls straigh as an arrow on the road, has been aligned recently and I have just gone over every tire with the recent problem to the tire discovered. So all that is good. What may be off is the toe adjustments. Like your post says those are stock numbers and they tend to make it a little twitchy.
And that was the correction I was looking for. So I guess I will look into that. I have a lifetime alignment done on it so maybe I will just take it back and say "can you do it again?"
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#9
by
theman53
on 16 Feb, 2012 15:31
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if its the bunny.. you have too much positive camber.. which is STOCK.. on mk1 i tend to go negative.. the more negative you go the less twitchy it will become.. myself 1* negative is a good comprimise.. you can go more if you want.. and i tend to stick to 2-3mm of toe in... stock is toe out...
Like the negative camber on my MK2 as well, but too much and it seems to track the road too much.
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#10
by
CRSMP5
on 16 Feb, 2012 19:42
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mk2 was negatinve at the get go.. why most are power steering as negitive is harder in parking lot.. my 84 coupe is 1.75* negative on the camber.. corners real real good.. BUT the hump in middle of road will break a finger under acell as it will rip the sterring wheel outta hand on hard pull.. why i stuck to 1* on the toaster..