car wanders

[Charger1970]

When I drive my car it tends to pull to the left a little. Also when I go over a rise in the road the car tends to wallow left and right.

Here's what has been done so far and it still pulls and wallows.

-New bushings- The previous owner said he rebuilt the front end with polygraphite bushings, not sure if the ball joints were replaced though.

-Alignment- I have had it aligned twice and I found a reciept where the previous owner had it aligned before I bought it

-Shocks

-Tires

-Wheels

-Steering box- FFI Stage II

-Brakes- including new rotors, calipers, pads, wheels bearings and master cylinder


I have jacked the front end up and can't find any play in anything. Where should I look next?
Thanks in advance.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

How wide are your front tires?   The wider the tire the more it catches the ruts I have found.
Also, how wide is your rim?  If you are using a wider than recommended tire on your rim, the sidewall tends to balloon out causing an unstable feeling

[Chryco Psycho]

add a front sway bar or replace the bushings

[Charger1970]

How wide are your front tires?   

I have good size tires on it...255/60-15 on 15x7 Ralley wheels.

add a front sway bar or replace the bushings

Thanks, I will look into upgrading my factory sway bar. The bushings actually aren't in the best shape.

[firefighter3931]

How wide are your front tires?     

I have good size tires on it...255/60-15 on 15x7 Ralley wheels.

add a front sway bar or replace the bushings

Thanks, I will look into upgrading my factory sway bar. The bushings actually aren't in the best shape.

Doug, the factory swaybar is fine, just order a set of (urathane) bushings and end link set....you'll notice a huge difference.

Ron

[Plumcrazy]

Even though all the alignment settings are within spec, you might try setting the caster as close to the maximum allowable positive amount you can get.

[68 RT]

My 66 grand prix was doing the same thing. Changed out sway bar bushings and end links. Drove great after that. I did use poly bushings.

[is_it_EVER_done?]

Check your wheel bearing adjustments. They need to be set at .000, and you'll need to either pry back the pads far enough so that they don't touch the rotors, or remove the calipers while adjusting. Just .003 or .004 play will cause a noticeable wander.

[BLAM]

I don't know where the poly bushings are used in the front end, but over time or if installed poorly they can get sloppy.  Poly does not have the memory like rubber to expand and fill voids, so poly can cause excessive play in critical places like the LCA causing the car to wander.

My rule feeling is to use heavy duty rubber bushings in the entire front end except for a sway bar.  Sway bars are perfect for poly.  I also use poly on the rear springs and shackle as well as a rear sway bar if there is one.

[THE COLONEL]

That happened to me at one time, and I had to change the pitman arm.  If you have your car on the jack see it the tires move left to right a little too much.  If it does the pitman arm might need to go.

[Charger_Fan]

That happened to me at one time, and I had to change the pitman arm.   If you have your car on the jack see it the tires move left to right a little too much.   If it does the pitman arm might need to go.

If the bushing on the frame end is worn out, it will be a rut-grabbing demon.
There shouldn't be hardly any up & down movement at that bushing, only left & right.

[derailed]

That happened to me at one time, and I had to change the pitman arm.   If you have your car on the jack see it the tires move left to right a little too much.   If it does the pitman arm might need to go.

This made a big difference for me as well.