Recommendations for a Stock Front End Suspension on a Low Mileage Car (Page 1/4)
USMUCL DEC 09, 12:55 PM
1986 SE V6 4-speed with 11,500 miles.

History:

About a year ago, I more or less finished the bulk of the "refresh" on this car. It had been garaged, but I still needed to tackle some of the havoc Father Time created, including headliner, speakers, tires, brakes, wheel bearings, plugs/wires, fluids, filters, etc. Because the car nose-dived significantly under braking, I also replaced the front shocks. Because that created a height discrepancy with the rear, I then replaced the rear struts. I kept the original springs and had the car aligned. Again, tires are brand new and road-force balanced. Front suspension has been lubed, and I also replaced the steering shock since it was cheap and easy.

Question:

In the spring when I unpack the car, I want to address some uneasiness in the steering wheel at highway speeds. The steering wheel has a small shimmy/wobble to it, and the steering generally feels light and insecure above 60 MPH.

I can see nothing obviously wrong when I get the car up on the lift, but I haven't put much effort into an assessment to this point, and my suspension knowledge is somewhat limited. I don't know if the springs might be playing a part, or if it is probably just a matter of old rubber in the joints.

If you were restoring this car and wanted to make it "factory new," what parts would you look to on the front end first? I don't mind throwing some money at it, but obviously there's a limit. I want to keep everything stock-ish.
olejoedad DEC 09, 01:33 PM
Check preload on the front wheel bearings.
Check for cracking of the OEM rubber suspension bushings, front and rear.
Check tire pressures.
Check alignment.

The steering will be light feeling, it's typical of mid-engine cars to feel a bit 'nervous' (compared to front engined cars) in a straight line at speed.

[This message has been edited by olejoedad (edited 12-09-2019).]

wftb DEC 09, 01:59 PM
I would also add to the list a wheel balancing, that is a major cause of steering wheel shake. Sorry I did not read that you had already done that. But sometimes even new tires will go out of balance. I have had wheel weights fall off and then the steering wheel shakes.

------------------
86 GT built 2.2 ecotec turbo
rear SLA suspension
QA1 coilovers on tube arms

[This message has been edited by wftb (edited 12-09-2019).]

USMUCL DEC 09, 02:42 PM
Thanks.

Alignment is done (twice)
Wheel balance done (twice, with the second time being road force balanced)
Tire pressures are correct per the door sticker.
Preload was done meticulously on the front wheel bearings when I replaced them due to noise. They are lubed with the proper high temp grease and have no undesirable play.

Checking for old and cracked rubber bushings is certainly on the to-do list.

[This message has been edited by USMUCL (edited 12-09-2019).]

cvxjet DEC 09, 03:46 PM
You may need to find the "Wright rench to fit that loose nut behind the wheel" like I do......(Sorry, old silly joke)

There is another remote possibility- I actually had a tire that was very slightly out of round, once......It was unnoticeable at anything below 40, but above it got worse; Realigned, re-balanced and then the guy found the tire was out of round!

[This message has been edited by cvxjet (edited 12-09-2019).]

creaky78 DEC 09, 07:41 PM
What is the condition of the ball joints and tie rod ends? I would also check for play in the steering rack.

[This message has been edited by creaky78 (edited 12-09-2019).]

olejoedad DEC 10, 07:36 AM

quote
Originally posted by creaky78:

What is the condition of the ball joints and tie rod ends? I would also check for play in the steering rack.




Will 11,700 miles, I seriously doubt that any hard parts are worn out.
Bearings may flatspot from sitting, but doubtful on the ball joints or rod ends.
USMUCL DEC 10, 08:18 AM
Those are good considerations.

So, if I'm confident in the tires, tire balancing, wheel bearings, wheel bearing preload, and alignment . . . and the low mileage would likely have not affected "hard parts," then that leaves just the rubber bits, right?

Off the top of your heads, what rubber parts does that entail? Like I said, I'm learning the suspension stuff as I go, so I will take the suggested "parts list" and start searching DIYs . . .
olejoedad DEC 10, 10:51 AM
Control arm bushings, upper and lower in front, lower in rear.
Rear cradle bushings.

[This message has been edited by olejoedad (edited 12-10-2019).]

USMUCL DEC 11, 08:29 AM
Thanks.

A quick search reveals it's the control arm bushings that are a pain, unless you just replace the entire arm?