Wanders

[RogerDodger]

My 74 tends to wander from side to side. When you steer it back it tends to quickly start going the other way and you continuously steer back and forth to try to keep it in the center of the lane. Its even more difficult to control on rough roads. I've been reading some posts and not sure what to do next. Here are the details:

New BF Goodrich T/A Radials 235 60 15
Alignment done with new tires. Toe and camber within specs. Caster close to factory specs but the tech wasn't familiar with older cars and struggled to change it.
New front shocks - basic Monroe
No play in tie rods, ball joints, idler arm...
original steering box
new rubber sway bar bushings

Could the caster cause this? I realize you need more caster with radial tires than the original specs for bias. Maybe the steering box needs to be replaced but I wouldn't think that would cause it to wander.

Thanks!
Roger

[resq302]

kinda sounds like your steering box is worn and not tight.  When you have to go from one side, you probably over compensate which is causing over steer when you turn the wheel back.

[Brads70]

Ya my guess is you need more caster. Most "factory specs" were for bias ply tires and handle horribly with radials.( like you mentioned)
I'd check control arm bushings ( both) and the strut rod bushings too.

[bill440rt]

How many miles are on your car? Has the front end ever been rebuilt (new bushings, ball joints, etc).

If that all checks out as you said then I'd have to agree with resq302. Check your steering box, pitman arm, and idler arm. More than likely your steering box has slop in it.

[RogerDodger]

It does have the feel you get when there is play in the pitman or idler arm so I agree. I have never needed to change a steering box before so I haven't experienced the symptoms of a worn out box but it makes sense it would feel similar. I was hoping someone would back up my suspicions before I shelled out the money and time to replace a steering box. From what I've read here I'm going with a FF. Thanks all!

[elacruze]

Stock '68 caster with new wide radial tires feels like crap and jerks all over the place. You need as much caster as you can get-mine is at 3-1/2* and I'd still like a bit more.

It's also possible that your steering box is too tight, if anybody tried to adjust it because it was too loose.

[nvrbdn]

  copying the mail, my cougar can have a mind of its own over 45 also.

[roundyrounder]

Check the condition of your lower control arm bushings and strut rod bushings. The ones in my challenger were worn and the car was all over the road after I installed new tie rods, pit man, and idler arms. It wasn't bad when everything was loose but once I tightened up the steering components it became darty. They're a whole lot cheaper than a new steering gear

[roundyrounder]

Ya my guess is you need more caster. Most "factory specs" were for bias ply tires and handle horribly with radials.( like you mentioned)
I'd check control arm bushings ( both) and the strut rod bushings too.

Sorry I must have been speed reading and not seen your post.

So ya, what he said