Howdy...Just aquired a 66 silver frost convertible w/black top and black pony interior, 289 A-code, manual steering, 4 speed, 3.20 equa-lock rear. Put new BFG radial T/A's on original styled steel wheels. Needed some front end work...ball joints,control arm bushings etc. Had it all done including alignment. Car now has strong drift to right. Then it will pull to the left at times. Steering column shahes at 45-50 mph. No sign of accidents and tires are balanced. Any ideas as to what is causing this? Thanks..Ed

 

I'll have a stab at this one. First the drifting to the left, and occasion to the right. It still sounds as though your alignment has not been done correctly. I've found that VERY few shop are still capable of doing these old shim style adjustments. Are the drifting directions relating to the camber of the road? A bad alignment makes this condition a lot more noticeable.
Secondly, the vibration at 45-50. I had a vibration at similar speeds, and tried all different things. I balanced all the tyres, had them checked for 'out of round' I repleced the U joints, had the drveshaft balanced, changed the bush in the output housing of the trans, and still this smae vibration. It was killing me. Finally someone on this forum suggested replacing the trans mount. $15 and half an hour later. NO VIBRATION!!!

 

the drifting...look at the idler arm, as for the vibration, does it go away above 55?

 

Steering wheel shake is generally tie rods or idler arm.

 

The shop that did the front end work should not have let the car out the door with those problems.

 

Yes, the vibration goes away at higher speeds.

 

Where did you get the work done? At a chain store/shop? Try to find an old time shop with a one man operation. Expect to pay an hourly rate for the alignment rather than a flat rate. I'll bet this shop will find more parts that need to be replaced but were missed by the first shop, e.g. idler arm, and that when they are done the car will drive straight w/o vibrations. Search the internet for a Mustang club in your area, join, then ask for recommended mechanics.

 

When I had mine lined up most of the shops in the area wouldn't even touch it. The only one that said they had the equipment to do it right was a Ford dealership near me.

 

None of the shops around my house would touch the front of my car either...except for one. When I mentioned coil springs the other places immediately said they couldn't do it. The old shop took on the challenge and now my car rides better than ever, they even replaced the bad idler arm. These newer places don't know how to deal with old cars.

 

Had the work done at my local Ford dealership. Always bring my classic Stangs there with no past problems. They put new bearings in the T-10 tranny just before they did the front end. Tranny is perfect. Real quiet now but vibration could be universals or tranny mount
not reinstalled correctly. Car goes back to the dealer tomorrow. I am printing out all your responses and giving a copy to them. Thank you to all for your concern and excellent feedback. I will let you know how I made out. By the way...anyone going to the New England Nationals in Sturbridge MA 7/14-7/16?.....Ed