Wandering Steering

Cam Coppola · May 6, 2018

I've noticed while driving my 95 GT convertible it has a tendency to suddenly steer to the right or left when driving over a bump or a rut in the road. The car drives straight. Does not pull either way and all steering and suspension is tight. Btw car is all original. Is this known as bump steer. Is there a fix for this.

90sickfox · May 6, 2018

There's a rubber disc in the steering column under the hood where it connects to the rack. When those rag joints go bad they can cause a drift and loose steering.

They are cheap and in stock at most local parts stores. The steering shaft from the rack to the part under the booster has to come out to replace it.

Of you have someone turn the steering wheel back and forth with the car off you should be able to tell if its bad.

Cam Coppola · May 6, 2018

90sickfox said:
There's a rubber disc in the steering column under the hood where it connects to the rack. When those rag joints go bad they can cause a drift and loose steering.

They are cheap and in stock at most local parts stores. The steering shaft from the rack to the part under the booster has to come out to replace it.

Of you have someone turn the steering wheel back and forth with the car off you should be able to tell if its bad.

I will take a look. Thanks

BlakeusMaximus · May 6, 2018

Rag joint

General karthief · May 6, 2018

Rubber looking disc thingy with holes

Cam Coppola · May 6, 2018

BlakeusMaximus said:
Rag joint[/QUO
Not sure what a rag joint is and where its located

Mustang5L5 · May 6, 2018

I'd say it's either bumpsteer or tramlining. Cause could be a number of things. Alignment specs (too little camber) can also be a cause

Could also be wear and slop in some of the 23 year old bushings...front and rear

Cam Coppola · May 6, 2018

It's drives straight as an arrow. How do we check for bump steer.

Mustang5L5 · May 6, 2018

http://www.maximummotorsports.com/Bumpsteer-Gauge-P193.aspx

You really shouldn't be having bumpsteer issues on stock suspension parts. Have you physically pulled wheels and put a prybar on various suspension parts to test for wear and tear?

General karthief · May 6, 2018

I didn't read the entire article but this should help explain 'bump steer'
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bump_steer
You get a similar steering sensation when frontend components are worn, they may look and act fine but exert the forces of driving and things move around, a lot.

Cam Coppola · May 6, 2018

Mustang5L5 said:
http://www.maximummotorsports.com/Bumpsteer-Gauge-P193.aspx

You really shouldn't be having bumpsteer issues on stock suspension parts. Have you physically pulled wheels and put a prybar on various suspension parts to test for wear and tear?

I have not. Didnt think anything could be wrong with suspension with how straight the car drives. I will look at that too. Thanks

Reddevil91 · May 7, 2018

So is that rubber thing you all are talkIf about what causes the fox body to have so much play in the fox’s? Feel like in my 91 I can be driving straight and I have so play left and right without making the car shift. I guess that why some ppl buy the flaming river or MM shafts? If so, can you use these on stock rack?

MFE92 · May 7, 2018

Following ruts in the road is called "tramlining", and these cars are terrible for it. The wider the tires, the worse it is. The more they wear to the inside, the worse it is.

I only know what I know · May 7, 2018

Cam Coppola said:
tendency to suddenly steer to the right or left when driving over a bump or a rut in the road.

Just some additional thoughts from what has been suggested.

When you say "suddenly steer" that suggests the steering wheel is turning along with the sudden change in direction. Is that correct? Or does the steering direction change without any change in the steering wheel? Have you noticed if accelerating alone will self correct the steering or do you have to use the steering wheel to right the steering?

Are you braking because of the bump or rut when this happens? If so, do you know what happens if you're not braking?

Finally, not knowing where you live is there a chance you are facing up or down hill when this happens or are you on level ground?

Mustang5L5 · May 7, 2018

Reddevil91 said:
So is that rubber thing you all are talkIf about what causes the fox body to have so much play in the fox’s? Feel like in my 91 I can be driving straight and I have so play left and right without making the car shift. I guess that why some ppl buy the flaming river or MM shafts? If so, can you use these on stock rack?

Rag joints wear out and get sloppy. Their purpose is to numb the steering wheel from every little road inperfection. Easy way to tell if yours is bad is to stand next to your car and wiggle your steering wheel and watch the front wheel. If you can rock it pretty well without the front wheel moving much, prob might want to replace it. They sell them in the help aisle at autozone.

I have the MM shaft and there is no rag joint. Move the steering wheel a tiny bit and you can see the front wheel move immediately. It terms of feeling all road imperfections it's not that bad. I did my own alignment and dialed in a bit more caster to help combat tramlining. At highway speed it's pretty steady

Wandering Steering

Cam Coppola

Member

90sickfox

Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands

Cam Coppola

Member

BlakeusMaximus

Still got to try a little lube on my speedo head

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

Cam Coppola

Member

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Cam Coppola

Member

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

Cam Coppola

Member

Reddevil91

MFE92

I only know what I know

Member

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

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Wandering Steering

Member

Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands

Member

Still got to try a little lube on my speedo head

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

Member

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Member

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

Member

Member

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

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