Just got an alignment, ZERO return to center
01-22-2014, 08:04 PM
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Car: 87 T/A
Engine: 400SBC Carb'd
Transmission: T56, Kevlar clutch
Axle/Gears: 3.73 Yukon Duragrip posi
Just got an alignment, ZERO return to center
Exactly what it sounds like, the car has ZERO return to center in the steering.
It has new bushings in the front sway bar, new ball joints, and a new steering box, with u-joint style rag joint replacement.
Car also has aftermarket adjustable wonderbar.
I just got it lined up, and it has no return to center, at all. I can turn the wheel, and take my hands off, and it will circle forever I swear.
The thing is, I think it was the same way BEFORE the alignment, because the ball joints were replaced at the same time, and they were WAY bad, so the steering was so messed up (also, steering shaft was way lose), you couldn't really tell how it drove.
I have the sheet they gave me, and it seems to be perfect caster, etc...
-0.3 Camber
4.5 Caster
Toe is 0.00 Left, and 0.09 degrees on the right.
This is so bad it's hard to drive the car. It tends to "bite" into corners, etc, because it doesn't fight you AT ALL when you turn the wheel, it's horrible.
It has new bushings in the front sway bar, new ball joints, and a new steering box, with u-joint style rag joint replacement.
Car also has aftermarket adjustable wonderbar.
I just got it lined up, and it has no return to center, at all. I can turn the wheel, and take my hands off, and it will circle forever I swear.
The thing is, I think it was the same way BEFORE the alignment, because the ball joints were replaced at the same time, and they were WAY bad, so the steering was so messed up (also, steering shaft was way lose), you couldn't really tell how it drove.
I have the sheet they gave me, and it seems to be perfect caster, etc...
-0.3 Camber
4.5 Caster
Toe is 0.00 Left, and 0.09 degrees on the right.
This is so bad it's hard to drive the car. It tends to "bite" into corners, etc, because it doesn't fight you AT ALL when you turn the wheel, it's horrible.
01-22-2014, 09:19 PM
#2
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Car: 92 Camaro RS
Engine: LS1
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 10bolt w3.42 Torsen
Re: Just got an alignment, ZERO return to center
i'm stumped. +4.5* caster should be good for a street car. if it were negative caster then that would explain it. i like the camber. and toe should be ok. These links might be helpful.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...alignment.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...ent-specs.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...alignment.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...ent-specs.html
01-22-2014, 10:05 PM
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Car: 86 Camaro SC
Engine: 5.3L LM7
Transmission: TH350
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Just got an alignment, ZERO return to center
idler arm, inner/outer tie rod ends? If they aren't greased and contact a lot of moisture they will rust up and bind. Enough so its easy to steer because its power assisted, but the caster doesn't provide enough force to return to center.
Also, I know you mentioned you have replaced the steering box. Has the gear lash ever been adjusted? (The Allen bolt with the jam nut in the top cover of the box). It sounds like its adjusted too tight. Even a little bit too tight and it won't return to center. If its a new box its probably adjusted tight. If its an old box, maybe someone messed with it.
Also, I know you mentioned you have replaced the steering box. Has the gear lash ever been adjusted? (The Allen bolt with the jam nut in the top cover of the box). It sounds like its adjusted too tight. Even a little bit too tight and it won't return to center. If its a new box its probably adjusted tight. If its an old box, maybe someone messed with it.
01-22-2014, 10:46 PM
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Car: 91 R/S , 89 dodge p/u
Engine: L31 GM crate re-cammed , 318
Transmission: T-5 , 4 speed auto
Axle/Gears: 3.42 , ?
Re: Just got an alignment, ZERO return to center
idler arm, inner/outer tie rod ends? If they aren't greased and contact a lot of moisture they will rust up and bind. Enough so its easy to steer because its power assisted, but the caster doesn't provide enough force to return to center.
Also, I know you mentioned you have replaced the steering box. Has the gear lash ever been adjusted? (The Allen bolt with the jam nut in the top cover of the box). It sounds like its adjusted too tight. Even a little bit too tight and it won't return to center. If its a new box its probably adjusted tight. If its an old box, maybe someone messed with it.
Also, I know you mentioned you have replaced the steering box. Has the gear lash ever been adjusted? (The Allen bolt with the jam nut in the top cover of the box). It sounds like its adjusted too tight. Even a little bit too tight and it won't return to center. If its a new box its probably adjusted tight. If its an old box, maybe someone messed with it.
01-23-2014, 11:42 AM
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Car: 87 T/A
Engine: 400SBC Carb'd
Transmission: T56, Kevlar clutch
Axle/Gears: 3.73 Yukon Duragrip posi
Re: Just got an alignment, ZERO return to center
idler arm, inner/outer tie rod ends? If they aren't greased and contact a lot of moisture they will rust up and bind. Enough so its easy to steer because its power assisted, but the caster doesn't provide enough force to return to center.
Also, I know you mentioned you have replaced the steering box. Has the gear lash ever been adjusted? (The Allen bolt with the jam nut in the top cover of the box). It sounds like its adjusted too tight. Even a little bit too tight and it won't return to center. If its a new box its probably adjusted tight. If its an old box, maybe someone messed with it.
Also, I know you mentioned you have replaced the steering box. Has the gear lash ever been adjusted? (The Allen bolt with the jam nut in the top cover of the box). It sounds like its adjusted too tight. Even a little bit too tight and it won't return to center. If its a new box its probably adjusted tight. If its an old box, maybe someone messed with it.
It might be the box I suppose, I bought a new one, and adjusted it (probably way too tight).
Here's the thing though, it's not just that it doesn't return to center, it's that there is ZERO resistance to turning. I swear you could almost free spin the steering wheel it's so easy. I mean, my friends' Hyundai Accent has a "sportier" feeling in the steering wheel!
I'll adjust the lash, and see if that helps...
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