steering problems 65 mustang

olDave · 04-13-2003, 12:03 AM

Have a 65 mustang that has had the suspension changed to accommodate a v-8 but has a 6 cyl now. The problem is that the steering is unstable. The car veers radically when bumps or irregularities in the road are encountered. I have replaced the steering box, had the alignment and suspension checked by 2 shops, have replaced the shocks, and the front wheel bearings. I t has new wheels and tires all around.

Could this problem be caused by the motor being too light for the suspension? Thanx.

Dark Knight · 04-13-2003, 03:53 PM

yeah, the springs are probably to stiff, causing it to bounce.. alignment is probably off too...

66StangGuy · 04-14-2003, 01:02 AM

to check most of your steering and front end alighnment parts jack up one side of the car in the front. then try and move the tire left or right rapidly to see if it wiggles or turns at all. also do you have power steering or manual?

Jeff65 · 04-22-2003, 09:41 AM

What you have sounds like "bump steer." This is a condition that occurs when the steering arms do not stay in line as the suspension moves vertically up and down. The usual reason is lowering the nose of the car by chopping springs or using lowering springs. There are two kits designed to correct this problem. Negative camber kit and bump steer kit. See http://www.drgas.com/promotor

fisk · 04-23-2003, 11:31 PM

This is OlDave.

I had to re-register. Couldn't get in under old name.

Anyway...thanx for all the replies. I am gonna start puttin the heavier 302 engine in soon and hope that will cure the "bump steering" problem.

Jeff65,

The springs were never altered in any way, except that they are designed for a v-8 and not a 6 cyl. So the modified spring idea can't be the problem. But thanx for your input.

I'll keep you all posted. Thanx again.

Jeff65 · 04-24-2003, 09:02 AM

Bump steer occurs because the pivot point of the steering arms (outer tie rods) moves in a different arc from the suspension arms. What happens is the suspension parts "pull" or "push" the steering arms as they move. Having this property has to do with how the steering & suspension are designed. Early Mustangs have this property. It is minimized when the suspension is in the center of its travel and the arcs are about the same. In extremes (high or low) you can expect it unless you've compensated for it. I believe it will go away when you install the V8 and the front end drops down where it should be.

04-13-2003, 12:03 AM	#1
olDave Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 2	steering problems 65 mustang Have a 65 mustang that has had the suspension changed to accommodate a v-8 but has a 6 cyl now. The problem is that the steering is unstable. The car veers radically when bumps or irregularities in the road are encountered. I have replaced the steering box, had the alignment and suspension checked by 2 shops, have replaced the shocks, and the front wheel bearings. I t has new wheels and tires all around. Could this problem be caused by the motor being too light for the suspension? Thanx.

04-13-2003, 03:53 PM	#2
Dark Knight Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Az Posts: 854	yeah, the springs are probably to stiff, causing it to bounce.. alignment is probably off too... __________________ 84 convt,roller 302,AFR's, performer 3.55's, underdrives BBK shorties stock cam, 1.7's 13.58@102.84 and a '68 stang .. project 8 sec street car... 557 big block + N20 :-) http://members.cox.net/darkknight302/68nwrear.jpg

04-14-2003, 01:02 AM	#3
66StangGuy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Diamond Bar Posts: 258	to check most of your steering and front end alighnment parts jack up one side of the car in the front. then try and move the tire left or right rapidly to see if it wiggles or turns at all. also do you have power steering or manual? __________________ 66 mustang-292-Holley 4160-World Castings Windsor Sr.-Hooker super comp headers-MSD box & Coil.3.55 gears. B&M Z-Gate-Black leather racing seats with 4pt harnes.

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04-22-2003, 09:41 AM	#4
Jeff65 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 208	What you have sounds like "bump steer." This is a condition that occurs when the steering arms do not stay in line as the suspension moves vertically up and down. The usual reason is lowering the nose of the car by chopping springs or using lowering springs. There are two kits designed to correct this problem. Negative camber kit and bump steer kit. See http://www.drgas.com/promotor

04-23-2003, 11:31 PM	#5
fisk Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 1	This is OlDave. I had to re-register. Couldn't get in under old name. Anyway...thanx for all the replies. I am gonna start puttin the heavier 302 engine in soon and hope that will cure the "bump steering" problem. Jeff65, The springs were never altered in any way, except that they are designed for a v-8 and not a 6 cyl. So the modified spring idea can't be the problem. But thanx for your input. I'll keep you all posted. Thanx again.

04-24-2003, 09:02 AM	#6
Jeff65 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 208	Bump steer occurs because the pivot point of the steering arms (outer tie rods) moves in a different arc from the suspension arms. What happens is the suspension parts "pull" or "push" the steering arms as they move. Having this property has to do with how the steering & suspension are designed. Early Mustangs have this property. It is minimized when the suspension is in the center of its travel and the arcs are about the same. In extremes (high or low) you can expect it unless you've compensated for it. I believe it will go away when you install the V8 and the front end drops down where it should be.