FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

Hi All

First, I'd like to thank you for the replies in my last post. Have fixed up the rocker problem.

I have taken the car for a spin down to the local beach. At first the brakes were pulling to the right so I figured that perhaps
the left front brake was out of adjustment. But somewhere on the drive, the brakes started pulling in the opposite direction.
It made for an interesting drive home. By the time I got back to the garage, whats left of my hair was standing on end.
The car tends to wander quite a bit, first one direction and then the other. I have replaced one stub axle so I think an alignment
is due. I will be looking at the brakes and suspension again to see is something is loose or worn.
If someone else has had a problem similar to this, some advice would be very welcome.
I know these cars are old and the steering and brakes are somewhat dated in terms of technology, but I hope this isn't normal because it
was a real handful to drive.


Mike

It may not be the brakes causing the problem.

Check the drag link for lubrication/adjustment. Also the pitman arm which can wear and cause similar problems.

Just thought, I should of mentioned the idler arm and steering box as well.  :P

Jack the front of the car up and check for longitudinal play in the steering mechanism. It will be pretty easy to see where the movement is coming from.

Hi Mike,

If you have replaced a stub axle and is now driving like this and it wasn't previously then there are two main issues that you will need to get check.

The first is that the stub that you replaced, wasn't to tight or binding as that can effect the steering, and the brakes.

The second is the fact that ou have replaced the stub and that at the top of the stub (I am assuming that it is an original front end) is the adjustment for the camber and caster. If the caster angle varies from the other side, and having just been replaced this is nearly a certainty then the difference in caster angles will cause the steering to try to "even out" under braking. From memory the brake will always pull to the side with the most negative caster angle. If you were to add excessive toe in or toe out you would be in for one hairy ride.

Normally when you take a car to a wheel alignment specialist they will check the front end for wear or binding parts as they will not be able to do a successful wheel alignment if there is excessive movement in the steering or there is any part of the steering that is binding or seized.

As 70XU1 stated make sure that there is no movement or wear in the steering links, and a good check of the steering for obvious wear helps, give it a good grease to ensure that none of the joints are dry and get a wheel alignment done, you should find that your car will be pointing in the right direction when you want it to. :D

Regards

Keith
F4+
 ;)

Thanks for the info

Next weekend I'll give it a good look. I got a blue slip for it 2 months ago and I thought they would have checked the steering
to see if it was up to standard. When I did the stub axle I didn't mark the eccentric before I took it out (stupid of  me), so I guessed when I put it
back together. If I cannot find a fault I will take it a front end specialist for an alignment (it's going for one anyway) and whatever
else it needs to make it right.
I gotta tell ya, I was more than a little concerned about the way it was acting. Thankfully it was 7:00 A.M this morning so
the traffic was very light.

Once again thanks

Mike

When a blue slip is done the inspector is looking for any part of the steering that will pose a problem to the safety of the vehicle for the duration of the the registration period. In the event that wear is found normally the insector may make a note of the wear found, but the vehicle may not necessarily fail inspection because if the wear in the inspector's considered opinion is likely not to pose a safety related problem to the vehicle for the duration of the registration period.

This is different to a front end specialist who is looking to set the front end up accurately and to do this then there needs to be no perceptable wear in the front end, as any play in the front end will give inaccurate readings.

Regards

Keith
F4+
 ;)