CRG Discussion Forum
Camaro Research Group Discussion => Restoration => Topic started by: mike1952 on January 13, 2017, 10:43:02 PM
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68 SS/RS. I basically replaced all suspension components on the car. I also converted the front drums to disc.
Two different alignment shops were unable to get my steering to return properly. Basically almost not at all.
Today decided to try and figure out what is going on. Once the car was on a lift, I realized I could not budge the front wheels right or left. Took the tie rod loose on the driver's side wheel, as well is Pittman arm from the steering box. You can still hardly turn the driver's side wheel, just by itself,to the right or left!
Incredibly stiff. No wonder the car's steering won't return. Does anyone have an idea as to why the steering could be so incredibly stiff?
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Disconnect the left outer tie rod from the knuckle. Try turning the knuckle to the left and right. If everything is stock, check the upper and lower ball joints for binding. Report back.
Doc.
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Already took the left tie rod loose. As far as I can tell, the ball joints look to be the only thing that could keep the wheel from turning freely, but the ball joints are new. Obviously they are binding for some reason.
The front brake conversion kit I bought was Street Anchor conversion kit from Camaro Central and included new spindles. The new ball joints came from Napa. Is there any reason these ball joints shouldn't work with the the new spindles?
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I have always said, new means new, new is not necessarily good. Especially with all the new junk out there today.
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Maybe true, but new is better than worn out. I am not a mechanic, but I am pretty sure about that. Thanks for the response, but your post does not help me. I wanted to know if it could be anything other than the ball joints.
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Not if new is bound-up and not functioning as required. Never count out a new part as the problem, learned from experience.
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Ball joint brand, part number ? Could be a wrong part in the right box, too. Sounds like too much preload, or could just be a really rotten part.
Grease fittings, too ?
I always try to use a known brand of ball joints - hard to find USA made anymore, but somebody has got to be manufacturing them nowadays. (I'm lucky to have purchased both GM NOS and TRW joints years ago, I'd better start looking myself).
Regards,
Steve