tube chassis vega wanders
 

tube chassis ladder bar car strut front end runs 10.30 problem is it wanders alot always steering it alot going down the track any help on what to check and or adjut welcome thanks

TIRE PRESSURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ALL 4 OF THEM-----4LINK BRACKETS[ HEIM JOINTS]-COIL OVERS NOT SET RIGHT---LONG LIST----AND HEAVEN FORBID[ WELDS!!!!!!!!!!!!]---CHECK EVERYTHING CAREFULLY AND RECHECK---SCARY RIDES ARE NO FUN :? :shock: :shock: :shock: ---LIVELY

thanks all four tire pressures checked and set before each run welds are all great have never touched coil settings where should they be set?

Everything lively said. Pay special attention to all heim joints/rod ends. Could also be an alignment issue/not enough toe in, worn out front end parts, etc. Also someone may have tightened the steering box up to take out play. If it's too tight, you'll be chasing it around a lot. Has it alway's done it or is this something that just started?

if it happen,s at launch, to some degree, and shortly after gear change down track, it could be bump steer.

wandering
 

Im with the bump steer guy, are you toed in or toed out at running height going down the track?

front end is tight has a manual steering rack in it the strut front end was new just before we got the car ....it has always done this we have owned the car for a year.....it feels like fairly shortly after the 330 mark

Toe-in and caster
 

You will also want to make sure of where the caster is set at. Usually with a strut front end they are layed back 10* at the top. The toe-in being off will make the car dart around a lot as was mentioned.

Bill M

thanks for everyones help i will get to checking it

thanks for everyones help i will get to checking it

checked toe in looks like 50" in the front and 50 1/2 in the same spot in the back so if i compute properly it toe'd in 1/2 inch would this do it ?



thanks

That wouldn't cause it to wander. If anything it's too much. My strut front Vette has 1/8" total toe in and goes straight as an arrow. I wonder if, when the strut front was installed, they didn't build in enough caster. As stated earlier, it should have 10 degrees or more positive. My Vette has 14 positive caster and 0 camber. Your best bet is to take it to a competent alignment shop and get it checked. They can also check & square the rear housing. Was the rack new when installed? Make sure nothing binds in the steering.
I'd really take a hard look at the ladder bar rod ends. I've seen those get worn and make a car unstable. It can get worse when the chassis unloads when you lift.

This is going to sound kinda stupid, so bear with me. I've had 2 other racecars other than my Vette. One was a 63 Nova, the other was a 68 Mark Williams FED. Both needed to be steered to keep in the groove. The first few passes in the Vette, I found it to be downright squirrely. Turns out I was steering it way too much. Is it possible you may be having a similar experience?

steering
 

When you checked the toe in, did you check it all the way through the travel, what 3" on the struts? I have seen it spread open this much if the steering arms are not in the proper position. Good luck, TC