WANDERING CUTTY

[crucial118]

I have an 86 Cutlass Salon with a 307 in it. I've had the car for about 1 yr now. The suspension, I believe is origanal. The car wanders all over the road wheen driving. What could it be? Could it be the shocks? I lifted the car up on jacks and moved the tires with my hands to see if maybe the ball joints or tie rods were bad but they didn't seem to have any play in them. Open to all sugestions. Thanx.

 

[Bonnewagon]

Sounds like time for a wheel alignment. Just check the suspension and steering parts first so you can do that work. The shop won't do an alignment on a worn front end and if they do the work they will soak you.

 

[crucial118]

Went to a local shop to get an alignment, about 2 or 3 months ago. They did an alignment, but it didn't seem to change anything. They also didn't suggest any fixes that needed to be done. Maybe it was a bootleg alignment.

 

[Bonnewagon]

That's weird. Any slop in the steering box? Rag joint?

 

[crucial118]

Haven't checked that yet. Good suggestion. I'll try tomorrow. Thanx.

 

[cdg1984]

I have an 83 cutlass with 200,000 miles ( on the car.20,000 or so on engine) and i have the same problem. The springs are worn to hell. Its getting to be a pain in the *ss. My bro. is a mechanic and he balanced the wheels and did an alignment and its not the problem. Im guessing its a combination of worn everything. Springs, steering parts bushings. Im planning on getting heavy load springs, quick ratio steering, and polyurithane bushings. That should stiffen it right up.

 

[crucial118]

Glad it isn't just me. My car has about 130,000 on it. It does need springs, shocks and bushings. It is a little annoying, but I just love driving this car. I have a 67 Lemans, 98 Silverado, 05 Magnum, and a 05 Gixxer, but I drive this car the most. The rag joint is a good suggestion, but where do you find one if its bad? That ain't something Autozone's gonna have. I can get the shocks and springs and tie rods from there, but the rj...no.

 

[cdg1984]

ya i love my gbod too. Post an ad in the for sale/wanted section, people sell all kinds of stuff on here.

 

[crucial118]

Cool.

 

[turbo78]

check if the ragjoint is worn and also the steering gear. if the steering gear is loose, you can adjust it with a 5/8 open end wrench, and a 3/16 allen wrench. loosin jamm nut and tighten allen stud to bottom, back it off about 1/2 turn and retighten jam nut.