Problem: Completely rebuilt front end. Power steering unit rebuilt also. Car has 28K Original miles. Have had alignment checked several times, yet the car will wander with even a little turning of the wheel. Example: When I turn into a curve riight, its as if I over-steer and the car goes too far, so I correct the steering wheel back to the left a bit. This is as the left front seems to dip as if to fold over the wheel. Meanwhile, the back of the car, passenger side, rises up as if to come up off the road. I exaggerate a bit as much of this has lessened with the last mechanic working on it. Still does it enough to bother me. Would include the alignment readings if I could figure that out. Suggestions on the alignment settings? Anything else I could do?
What is your front end alignment? If you go by the factory manual settings, you can wander quite a bit, as those values were for bias-ply tires. Radials require a different set of specs, plus they like a lot more caster, which will reduce wander.
Yes I currently run the much newer radials.Have considered them to be a much safer way to go than the original bias ply. And yes, I amsure that these readinngs will affect their performance.
Current readings:
Front - 0.24 Total Toe. -0.01 Steer Ahead.
Left Front - 1.5 Camber, 1.6 Caster, 0.11 Toe
Righht Front - 0.9 Camber, 1.7 Caster, 0.13 Toe
Would apreciate recommendations as to what settings to use. Thanks.
Caster should be +3 to +4.5 if you can make it happen.
I see that the initial recommendation is -.8 to 1.3. Yes, that would be a tremendous difference. Will have to wait till spring but definitely on the to-do list. My thanks.
Midlife is correct, dial in as much caster as you can get. If your limited to stock suspension parts you might not be able to get as much as you desire but more is better. If you open to it I would also recommend the Shelby drop. It’s basically free but does involve drilling a couple holes unless you wanna buy parts.
These generally are the specs used today
https://opentrackerracing.com/tech-info/
Your steering box could be worn out
True. The rubber seal on the bottom of the steering box probably leaked out all the grease 40 years ago. Even with 28K miles the steering box is probably shot.