Recently put my 65 on the road. The car pulls to the left, then suddenly will go to the right and then back to pulling to the left. This thing is scaring the crap out of me. I put it up on stands last night and did not find anything loose or worn. What are the possibilities here? Steering box? It's manual steering, but not a stock front end. I'm illiterate when comes to the names of the comonents though. I'll probably end up taking this one to a shop to be checked. Just thought I would check with you guys first.

THanks!




1965 Coupe 5.0 HO EFI

 

What do you mean when you say that it is not a stock front end?

 

it definitely has had some stuff added to stiffen up the suspension in the front end and newer disc brakes, the steering components all look stock though.

 

I'm not a front end specialist, but is sounds like your caster is too positive. MustangMonthly has a real good DIY tech article on front end alignments; pulls to the side with the least camber, and caster helps the car follow the line and return to center. Sears has a real nice magnetic digital torpedo level for less then $25 that will help you get close. Check your manual box, and make sure you've got fresh grease in it, and re-adjust the worm gear to get the slack out of the box.

 

when you have the car on the ground how far must you turn the steering wheel before you notice the front wheels just start to move say an 1/8th inch or less?

You need to have the car aligned first the caster,camber, and probably toe sound like they are way off. This will probably fix the problem or find the problem...You'll need to locate a good shop probably one that isnt a chain type deal like pepboys.

-Gun

 

thanks guys, sounds like an alignment shop is my best bet. I would try the DIY route, i like to learn to do as much as possible, but my schedule is just too out of control right now.

 

if your strut rod bushings are shot it could cause a hard pull to the right or left because of sudden caster change.

 

Does the 66 use the idler arm like the 68's? This along with the caster\camber and worn ball joints in the upper and lower arms is what caused mine to do exactly the same thing.

 

If you are taking it to a shop, ask them to check the steering linkage first. It sounds like a worn idler bushing or tie rods to me.

 

cdek,

I go to a family owned shop that's been there for decades. They rely on word of mouth and referrals. I think I paid $40 or $50 bucks for an alignment last time when I changed rubber a couple of years ago. They are always precice because they take their time. Let them check everything first, then replace and rebuild, then align. Some shops will do all.

If I'm driving straight on a level road, the car will not veer, and the steering wheel spokes are in the correct position. I can do this at higher speeds. I have the orig steering box in my car, but replaced most other steering components. There's no "extra" play in the steering wheel, and I never had the expense of changing the box. I would tighten the steering box, and not replace it until after replacing worn bushings first. You may not have to.

Make sure you have equal tire pressure. One can't visually see a 2 psi difference, but it's enough to make your car veer, contributing to your situation.

Good luck.

CP