Thread: Steering right = bite

Could be as simple as wheel alignment. I had a 100 series cruiser that would do this as weight transferred from one side to the other it would change the arc of the turn due to the mis-alignment of one wheel compared to the other.

I had the wheels properly aligned just recently after doing the TRE's. It was done on one of those fancy computerised sensor set ups. Shortly after that the drop arm was replaced. I was hoping a new drop arm would not effect alignment as all the rod lengths are unchanged, but perhaps it has.

Do you have a lift? If so, what was the caster value on the wheel alignment? - IME zero or negative caster can cause the car to be a bit twitchy in corners or when changing over the crown of the road. Usually its similar both left and right though and a vague in a straight line until you start to change direction.

Also, what was the toe setting on the wheel alignment? Just because its a fancy machine doesn't mean its going to be right if the settings in it are correct.

Have you jacked up the front end and had a good wriggle on the wheels to check for loose wheel bearings and swivels etc?

Steve

Yes a +2 spring lift. The arms are castor corrected. The alignment was +1 toe out. All new bushes also.

I'll give the wheels a good jigglin next time I'm in there but they were in good health after I changed the swivel seals a few months back.

I can do swivel oil, re-grease bearings, reset pre-load and then check the alignment again. So long as its not the steering box.

Start disconnecting ball joints until you find it, maybe worth checking steering damper too.

Have you checked the steering rod knuckles (not sure of correct description) joints?, had a similar problem previously that turned a worn knuckle that only worked in one direction causing the steering grab when turning in one direction
When turning the steering wheel while someone watched the steering rod knuckles it was very obvious

Also check for free play in any of the links locating either front or rear axles, and for binding of the universals on the steering column.

John

Do the tyres you're running have chunky bits on the sides? Is there any rubbing marks on the tyres, and on the trailing arms where they would hit on full lock?

I had a light-bulb moment when this started happening to me on a road trip, and it was only when I spotted this that I worked out that one of the bolts I'd removed to take off the (just broken) front disc brake shroud was the one that limited turning lock.