Steering Parts Check Out But Still Bumpsteeting. Help!

DonSoares

New Member

Aug 3, 2014

21

1

3

Los Angeles, CA

Sep 14, 2014

#1

• Sep 14, 2014

• #1

Hey guys

Been daily driving an 89 GT vert for last two months. I bought it off the second owner, only 97k miles and very detailed and extensive service records.

The car sometimes drives straight, sometimes pulls left, sometimes right. Wanders around the lane and wheel jerks when I hit bumps. On the highway it's pretty straight but takes some concentration to keep in your lane.

So, I lifted the car up, and the tie rods and ball joints seem tight. The wheels have no perceptible play left/right or top/bottom. Tires are wearing evenly. Looked around the rack and it's covered in grime and grease, so sprayed with degreaser, ran the motor turning the wheel left and right and couldn't see any leaks.

Power steering fluid is grey/black and disgusting looking but reservoir is full.

What next?? Not sure where to go from here... is this steering just this sloppy?

Thanks guys

 

stykthyn

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.

15 Year Member

Jul 6, 2006

5,232

2,652

223

gainesville

Sep 14, 2014

#2

• Sep 14, 2014

• #2

What size tires are you running? Sounds like tram-lining to me.

 

mikestang63

SN Certified Technician

Aug 27, 2012

11,606

8,859

214

In the garage

Sep 14, 2014

#3

• Sep 14, 2014

• #3

Check your steering rag joint and the rack bushings.

 

DonSoares

New Member

Aug 3, 2014

21

1

3

Los Angeles, CA

Sep 15, 2014

#4

• Sep 15, 2014

• #4

Running 225 60R15's all around. Read about tramlining... does seem to exhibit that kind of behavior, tracking along the road grooves and pitch. I played with the rag joint a little bit it seemed tight... but how would I check the rack bushings? Just stick a screwdriver in there and see if they're soft?

Maybe a new rag joint, set of poly bushings, and flush the PS system fluid and see if that tightens it up?

 

FoxMustangLvr

I love my Pimp

SN Certified Technician

Oct 14, 2012

4,968

3,514

204

Spokane, Wa

Sep 16, 2014

#5

• Sep 16, 2014

• #5

Your bushing up front could be shot in the PS rack and A-arms. You may not be able to move this stuff by hand to find out.

Take it to a shop and get your alignment checked. Quick and easy.

 

MFE92

10 Year Member

Aug 25, 2010

1,094

373

124

Phoenix

Sep 16, 2014

#6

• Sep 16, 2014

• #6

You're describing tramlining, which has several causes and cures, such as:

Tires. If the tires are more worn on one edge than the other, they'll try to climb ruts. The wider the tire, the worse the problem
Camber. The more negative camber, the more it'll tend to tramline.
Toe setting, and/or A-arm bushings that aren't capable of holding it (I suspect this is a big part of your problem)
Strut mounts being too mushy
Old balljoints, especially if it's "memory steering", or not returning to center by itself
Worn tie rod ends (inners are especially prone to wear on these)
Loose wheel bearings

 

DonSoares

New Member

Aug 3, 2014

21

1

3

Los Angeles, CA

Sep 18, 2014

#7

• Sep 18, 2014

• #7

OK cool. Tires look pretty new and evenly worn, so I guess it's time to freshen up the front end.

Should I put new bushings and ball joints into the control arms or just replace them?

 

MFE92

10 Year Member

Aug 25, 2010

1,094

373

124

Phoenix

Sep 19, 2014

#8

• Sep 19, 2014

• #8

It's way easier to replace the arms as a unit, but they're hard to find and a lot more expensive than they used to be. The factory bushings are a PITA to change.

 

DonSoares

New Member

Aug 3, 2014

21

1

3

Los Angeles, CA

Sep 19, 2014

#9

• Sep 19, 2014

• #9

Ya that's what I thought. Late Model has them, and ford racing ones too. Thanks all, plan on doing an overhaul in the next few weeks and hopefully that'll clear things up.