• Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech

Sloppy steering

  • Thread starter Thread starter restomod22
  • Start date Start date May 30, 2008
R

restomod22

New Member
Mar 26, 2004
87
0
0
Cincinnati, Oh
May 30, 2008
#1
  • May 30, 2008
  • #1
Hi everyone

I have an issue with my 65 "wandering" on the road with real sloppy steering (manual). What are some of things I need to look for or replace?

Thanks!
 
B

BornInAFord

Member
Apr 22, 2005
199
0
17
Bend, OR 97701
May 30, 2008
#2
  • May 30, 2008
  • #2
Several things, either individually or collectively are causing this... Prime suspects for me are the tires. Some wider-than-stock tires (like my own 225/45R17 fronts) make my car tramline badly on some worn surfaces (wander and "surf" any rut in the road), but other than that is very stable. Some same width tires have less tendency to tramline. Second suspect is the steering gear. If you have any dead spot (free play) in the steering gear, the tramlining and car steering itself feeling will be magnified. Also, any slop in the steering linkage from tie rods to idler will also rear their ugly heads. Third suspect is alignment. What are your alignment specs? I'd probably shoot for at least +3° caster, 0 to -1° camber and 1/8" total toe with your mods. Other issues some will have are worn strut rod bushings, Granada brakes in some cars (a few have noticed an increased tendency to bumpsteer in a few cars) or worn control arms/ball joints.

When did you notice the steering issue? Has it gotten worse over time? Are there some conditions it is noticed more than others? Good luck with the troubleshooting. Let us know what you find out.
Daniel
 
B

BornInAFord

Member
Apr 22, 2005
199
0
17
Bend, OR 97701
May 30, 2008
#3
  • May 30, 2008
  • #3
I should add that you should check out http://www.stangerssite.com if you need your gear rebuilt. He'll rebuild your steering gear for ~$150 or so, which is pretty cheap for the job he does.
 
D

ddtforu

New Member
Dec 9, 2003
37
0
0
Santa Clara, ca
Jun 2, 2008
#4
  • Jun 2, 2008
  • #4
is it just me, or does HTTP://www.stangersite.com take you to a mail login site? I tried links to same site posted on other forums and it did the same thing.
 
D

ddtforu

New Member
Dec 9, 2003
37
0
0
Santa Clara, ca
Jun 2, 2008
#5
  • Jun 2, 2008
  • #5
ahhh never mind, it was just mis posted on other sites too, its stangerssite.com. two s's.
 

oz

Founding Member
Jun 29, 2000
1,079
10
58
Plymouth, MI
Jun 2, 2008
#6
  • Jun 2, 2008
  • #6
I had my whole steering system rebuilt and it still wondered... I learned that I needed to run more caster than factory spec because of the difference between bias ply and radial tires.... adjusted the strut rods and viola - no more wondering. I'd start there.

Second thing to try is tighten up your gear. There is a bolt on top that can be tightened to tighten the meshing of the gears. Not sure exactly how to do it but I'm sure someone does...
 
B

BornInAFord

Member
Apr 22, 2005
199
0
17
Bend, OR 97701
Jun 2, 2008
#7
  • Jun 2, 2008
  • #7
oz said:
I had my whole steering system rebuilt and it still wandered... I learned that I needed to run more caster than factory spec because of the difference between bias ply and radial tires.... adjusted the strut rods and viola - no more wandering. I'd start there.

Second thing to try is tighten up your gear. There is a bolt on top that can be tightened to tighten the meshing of the gears. Not sure exactly how to do it but I'm sure someone does...
Click to expand...

There's a set of instructions on the Stangerssite.com website. I haven't tried it (yet), but it looks fairly simple to do. Just be careful you aren't masking worn gears, though. You'll be back where you started pretty quickly.

Daniel
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

L
69 tilt steering column endplay
  • loubischoff
  • Feb 10, 2026
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
104
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Feb 10, 2026
loubischoff
L
'65 Tremec 5 speed shifter ideas?
  • D Durden
  • Sep 23, 2024
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech
Replies
3
Views
218
Classic Mustang Specific Tech Sep 24, 2024
Noobz347
Opinions on a possible project car w/ pics
  • Teen'93stang5.0
  • Mar 29, 2026
  • 2.3L (N/A & Turbo) Tech
Replies
10
Views
196
2.3L (N/A & Turbo) Tech Mar 30, 2026
Teen'93stang5.0
F
Power Steering Pump
  • Fri Guy
  • Apr 22, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
13
Views
370
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Apr 29, 2026
Fri Guy
F
Sloppy steering wheel
  • cnorman31
  • Nov 1, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
244
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Nov 2, 2025
Monkeybutt2000
M
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?