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.
Appreciate the recommendation. And yes I finally did reach that point where they disconnected the front end from the box and it still did it. So that was an obvious problem. Got a rebuilt unit from John’s Cougars in Holland, Michigan. Taking it off the car it was discovered that the arm connected to the box - where it is supposed to slide over some splines, and easily I would assume - had been assembled wrong on the splines and then beaten on. Which then caused the mis-balance in the control arms. Between then replacing the steering box and changing the caster, the front end seems so much better. Thank you.
I had almost the same problem. Took if in to have alignment knowing they would check front end and mechanic took ne back and showed me several problems that needed done before they could do a alingment. looking under the car and having a guy wiggle the steering wheel they showed me the bracket for the power steering assist cylinder on the frame moving. It was installed with a longer when the headers were installed. Required a bushing and they used several washers. felt tight but wiggled under a load! Also idler arm bad, loose wheel bearings and steering gear box loose and I was able to tighted it up. Drives great now!!
Seems almost a regular problem. Only works if everything done right. Now the steering works very easily; BUT, now I have a shudder in the steering, whether mid left or right when turning. Appoint to recheck next week but at a loss at the moment.
After replacing the steering box, I now have a problem with the turning. System shudders while turning and does it both ways, whether right or left. Mechanic also noted that unit is extremely hot. Control valve hanging up?
I had my steering box rebuilt, and as a result the steering has improved, but is to 1970 numb levels.
I’m going to get a Borgeson steering box to improve matters, which would also solve the problems with control valves.
Replaced the steering fluid with correct FORD. That made the difference. Now is amazing after all the corrections. Biggest difference made by the correct casterr readings. +2 to +4.5 needed because of the Radials.
Whats next?
Fix Air Conditioning?
Replace a bubbling top?
AM-FM Radio?
Bad rear bumper?
Sell?
Suggestions.
IMHO. AC… Is what I would tackle next.
Car is avaliable for purchase on Facebook Marketplace.