my rear end feels loose :)~ (help)

[67GTA-FB429]

I would be surprised if the bushing are hanging up already.

Does it do it when you turn in both directions or just one??

I know that my 429 was hitting on a bolt when I would turn left...that is until I found the bolt and ground it down.

 

[Hack]

Hack: you might be right on about the bushings, because I've noticed that sometimes when I park the car, one side of the rear will sit a little higher than the other, and if I bounce it a couple times, it will even out; other times I park it and it sits level. So maybe the leaf spring bushings are sticking somewhat.

HOwever, in a long corner where the load is constant, I think the "unsticking" would only happen once, rather than repeatedly, as it seems to be doing...in a long corner which curves consistently in once direction, there would be no opportunity for the bushings to "reload" themselves.

I have to agree with your logic regarding it happening only once on a smooth curve... unless if it's sticking at point A wanting to get to equilibrium at point E.. sticking at point B, then C, then D along the way. Something like that.

I like the logic of the suspension rubbing/catching on something, too.

Other than that either too loose or too tight is all I can come up with. New suspension and fresh alignment..

 

[Snail50]

thanks, all. back to wrenching.

 

[hdgapeach]

Loosen the spring eye bolt nuts and shackle bolt nuts, bounce the rear to seat everything, then re-torque all to specs. Look to see if any of the poly bushings are dry, or just go ahead and lube them anyway. Then check the torque on all the U-bolt nuts. A popping ball joint in the front will make you think the rear is the problem if it is bad enough. That sudden jolt will make the rear want to follow the "new" track layed down by the shift in the front suspension. A front coil popping in the saddle will affect the rear the same as the ball joint.

 

[67GTA-FB429]

I once had a problem withthe rear gear. I had a new pumpkin made and the nimrod did not torque the bolts down correctly, and eventually they worked loose and the rear end started clunking, especially in corners. Had any rear end work done??

 

[Snail50]

no rearend (diff) work done yet, Buzz. and I missed your earlier question, but I'm pretty sure that it does it while turning both right and left.

 

[67GTA-FB429]

Does it do it under hard acceleration? what about coasting or in neutral or reverse??

If it does it both directions it leads me to believe it is something loose that is clunking around....I can't believe that the poly bushings have failed already....if they were that bad no one would make them because no one would be buying them.

 

[Snail50]

LOL. Buzz, my car doesn't know the meaning of "hard acceleration."

I don't think that anything failed; I've visually inspected everything several times while working on my brakes.

Under normal driving the car drives fine, except for the wandering caused by the worn-out steering. It's only while cornering fairly hard that it feels like the rearend is twitching.

I think that before I do anything to the rear, I'm going to try to tighten up the steering...either by adjusting the existing steering box, or by upgrading to a new box or R&P.

Maybe the slop in the steering is being transmitted through to the rearend, so that when I turn the steering wheel and a moment later the front wheels catch up, there is a slight jolt which travels through the frame (stiffened with subframe connectors) to the rear, causing another jolt as the shock transfers to the axle assy & its moving parts.

I'm hoping to have some time this weekend to work on the steering.

 

[67GTA-FB429]

that is a lot of slop.

I think you are looking too hard and too deep.

is the car downshifting during this turn?

 

[Snail50]

No, it doesn't downshift...I don't try to make it downshift either when I'm in the middle of the corner because I'm sure my loose steering wouldn't be much help in an oversteer situation.

But seriously: I'm trying to think of every possibility before I start tearing things apart. It may be off the wall, but do you think it's possible that when the loose steering (made worse by the 17x8" wheels and wide Nittos) wanders and catches, a slight jolt could be transmitted through the stiffened frame to the rearend, where it would manifest itself with a "hip-fake" feeling from the axle assy?

 

[67GTA-FB429]

not really. I think all of us have the loose steering that you are talking about. Or we have had it at some point.

You did check rear bearings? what about motor and tranny mounts?

 

[Snail50]

I checked the axle bearings when I had the axleshafts out of the car for the rear disc conversion.

Motor mounts are stock & although not perfect, they don't appear to be falling apart.