Author Topic: Handling issues.... any thoughts?  (Read 1626 times)

Offline PlumCrazyChris

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    • Mopar Muscle Cars of Austin
Handling issues.... any thoughts?
« on: May 17, 2019 - 03:24:29 PM »
Guys,
I can't seem to get the front end on my challenger to handle right.   I rebuilt the front end with poly graphite back in '06, and really only have a few thousand miles on it.   Upper control arms are Moog problem solver offset.  I HAVE had to replace the sway bar bushings already, they were poly and split.   and I also just replaced the strut rods with adjustables last year.  It made a noticeable difference.

Could it be that I just need to replace all the bushings again?   I thought poly was supposed to last longer than rubber.... 

Symptoms:
when I drive over a groove in the pavement, the car swerves to follow the groove and I have to correct quickly. 
 
Any thoughts?
PlumCrazyChris
Mopar Muscle Cars of Austin
Round Rock Tx
70 Challenger 5.7, A518, A/C
70 Challenger 340 convertible (Gone to Sweden)
68 Barracuda (sold it too)
www.mopar.org




Offline 70chall440

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Re: Handling issues.... any thoughts?
« Reply #1 on: May 17, 2019 - 09:31:24 PM »
What size tires do you have on the front of the car? If they are wide, this could be a part of your issue. What are your other suspension parts specifically your steering box? In stock Mopar boxes/suspension there is a bit of slop and with an over pressurized steering box they tended to handle poorly especially on grooved roads. I don't think it is your bushings, I think you need to look at your idler arm, pitman arm and steering box. 
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline dodj

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Re: Handling issues.... any thoughts?
« Reply #2 on: August 17, 2019 - 07:49:41 AM »
To me it seems like you have a'70 Challenger alignment on your car. Designed for bias ply tires, it will track grooves in the road.
If you brought it to a shop and asked for them to align the front end, That's what you would get. A '70 alignment that doesn't take advantage of the moog offset bushings.
If I'm guessing right on the alignment, bring it to a shop and ask them to align it with as much  positive caster they can get...like 3-4*. Then -.5* camber and 1/16" toe in. It will make a lot of difference.
Scott
1973 Challenger  440 4 spd 
2007.5 3500 6.7 Cummins Diesel, Anarchy tuned.
Good friends don't let friends do stupid things. ........alone.

Offline 70chall440

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Re: Handling issues.... any thoughts?
« Reply #3 on: August 17, 2019 - 12:10:16 PM »
To me it seems like you have a'70 Challenger alignment on your car. Designed for bias ply tires, it will track grooves in the road.
If you brought it to a shop and asked for them to align the front end, That's what you would get. A '70 alignment that doesn't take advantage of the moog offset bushings.
If I'm guessing right on the alignment, bring it to a shop and ask them to align it with as much  positive caster they can get...like 3-4*. Then -.5* camber and 1/16" toe in. It will make a lot of difference.

I would absolutely agree with these comments, many people either specific a "stock" alignment or the tech looks up old settings and applies them. A "modern" alignment as stated above with dramatically change the way the car handles.
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline Fern

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Re: Handling issues.... any thoughts?
« Reply #4 on: August 17, 2019 - 04:11:50 PM »
I also agree with the alignment.
Had my alignment done to these similar specs and the car drives like a modern one.