I've had my '66 Coronet for about a year now. I haven't done anything to address the steering and the way the car "dives' in and out of dips and valleys in the roads.
I put new tires on it last year and the tires seem to handle a lot different than the previous tires... I went from what I believe was a modern rubber to an older set of these Goodyear Rally tires. The Goodyears seem to have a different build and maybe a different compound of rubber (or whatever?).
I recently came across a strip of "uneven pavement" and the car damn near drove itself into the ditch.
I squeeze the steering wheel with a "white knuckle death grip" when I feel the car dip from side to side or dive into manhole depressions in the streets or any little imperfection in the pavement.
Is this a tire issue, tie-rod issue or just a bunch of worn parts and old components throughout the front end?
Is there anything I can do at home to address this issue?
Here a shot of the old tires and the "new" (old) Goodyears I had installed.
Maybe it's an issue of all of the above?
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are they bias ply tires? they will never handle as good as radials. it could be a combo of worn out steering/suspension parts too. if you are going to replace the front end parts buy a kit instead of individual pieces you will save a lot of money. in my experience these people are great to deal with-
http://www.springsnthings.com/
I'd say tires is the main culprit
What size tires are on the back? The reason I ask is, on the back of my 66 I run an L60-15 American Racer (cheater slick). On the front I use a Moroso 7.10-15
My car will do the same thing you describe. Years ago I changed the front wheel and tires to a wider front steel wheel and a good radial tire. With keeping the L-60 on the back. And believe it or not, It didn't change the handling all that much. That wide rear bias ply tire will pull the car all over.
P.S. I love the look of the Goodyears. Can we get pics of the whole car?
I don't think the tires are the main cause of the problem. With the car "dipping and diving" and the wheel getting taken out of your hands sounds to me like you have some worn suspension components, most likely something in the lower control arm area (ball joint, lca bushing or worn out strut rod bushing or bent strut rod). Lets not forget the shock could be worn, and that combined with some worn out parts can send the car all over the road.
Do you hear any clunking from the front when turning the wheel, or thumping/banging when you hit a bump?
Drag-Net Wrote:What size tires are on the back?
P.S. I love the look of the Goodyears. Can we get pics of the whole car?
I've got 16"s in the rear and 15"s on the front. The magnum wheels were for a Ford so I had to add a 3/4" spacer plate to the front tires to push them out so they didn't rub on the inside. The tires were basically thrown in on the deal, but I LOVE white letter tires and had to use them.
Here's a shot of the car. I snapped this quick while leaving work.
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67440Dodge Wrote:Do you hear any clunking from the front when turning the wheel, or thumping/banging when you hit a bump?
No, no clunking when turning... no thumping or banging when I hit a bump or pothole(s) either. The car goes in a straight line when I take my hands off the wheel (not pulling in either direction).
Those are cool looking tires.
Do you have or can borrow another set of radials to put on front to see if your issue goes away?
67r/t4speeder Wrote:Those are cool looking tires.
Do you have or can borrow another set of radials to put on front to see if your issue goes away?
Thanks man... the new wheels and tires completely changed the look and stance of this car.
I don't have another set. The previous wheels were cracked so I scrapped those when I got these put on and the tires were in rough shape as well (recycled those).
Here's a before and after...
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My 67 had a loose steering condition. It was the steering box. I replaced it. All was good till the next summer came.
Some how my new steering box came loose from the mounts.
Dipping and diving? My car also did that.
New shocks and a trip to the alignment shop.
They found all components to be sound!
Both front wheels had negitive Caster.
My cars steering would not want to return to center after a turn.
I had them dial in all the + positive Caster they could get!
I'm at + 2.5 and + 2.0 deg.
Steers great and that death dive during a gradual turn at 55 mph is gone.
Hope that helps
Sorry for rambling on here.
I'd like to better describe the feeling while driving my 67.
The sensation you feel might be the same and is very unsettling to drive.
My car drove good around town at low speed, less than 40 mph.
On the high way was another story. Even though the looseness was gone from the box replacement. It was still scary to drive.
Driving at highway speed, a slight curve to the left, hold on.... As you made that slight turn to the left, you would loose the "FEEL" as if you over steered the car and your waiting to go over the handle bars!
It feels scary! So you hunt for the "FEEL" and there it is.. It's only a second or two. But it feels like forever.
The alignment fixed that!