steering geometry

[UKcuda]

Having got my 'cuda on the road now I am working out a few little glitches.

My steering is fine except it doesn't make any attempt to return to center by itself when coming out from a turn.  I haven't driven an E body for years so I can't really remember if this is normal.

I haven't changed the castor angle.

I have also noticed that, wth the front wheels off the ground and engine off, it is very hard to turn the steering at the road wheels (but easy at the steering wheel).  Again perhaps this is normal.



Any ideas ?

[Bullitt-]

Sounds like the ole power steering valve adjustment issue

[6packCuda]

I don't think that's a valve adjustment issue. Sounds like you need a front end alignment.

[dodj]

I have also noticed that, wth the front wheels off the ground and engine off, it is very hard to turn the steering at the road wheels (but easy at the steering wheel).  Again perhaps this is normal.

Any ideas ?

Hard steering the wheels from the road wheel itself should be difficult.

[UKcuda]

Yeah, I don't think it's the valve, both sides seem the same.

Hard steering the wheels from the road wheel itself should be difficult.

I won't worry too much about that then.

I hope I don't need a realignment;  I think I'll drive it a bit more and see how we get on.

[HP2]

Yes, turning the steering using the road wheels should be difficult, but it would be easy using the steering wheel. This is normal.
If it was a steering valve issue, then the steering wheel would pull its self to one side or the other when the car was started up, which you state it is fine other than return to center. My suspicion would be not enough positive caster angle. Do you know what alignment specs are in it now?

[UKcuda]

No I don't know.  I was thinking caster is maybe the cause of it.

I don't really trust anyone round here with setting anything up, last time I had a tracking issue on my Mustang the "professionals" actually made it worse and I ended up doing it myself.

I have the 1972 National Service Data book so I'll have a look see if I can suss what it should be against what it is.

At least it's driveable so I can put it up on my mate's 4 post lift if I want to.  It's one where you can support the chassis and remove the wheels while it's up in the air.

[dodj]

Here's the specs from a '73 service manual for Barracudas & Challengers.
Camber Left +1/4* to +3/4*(preferred +1/2*)
Camber Right 0* to +1/2*(preferred +1/4*)
Caster - Power Steering +1/4* to +1 1/4* (preferred +3/4*)
Toe in 3/32" to 5/32" (preferred 1/8")
Toe out on turns - Inner wheel @20* Outer wheel @17.5*

Hope this helps UK.

[Chryco Psycho]

What you need to set the alignment to is Max positive caster , usually 2.5* then set the camber 1/4* negative & set the toe to 1/16-1/8 " toe in , this will cause the steering to return as hard as it possibly can + put some load on the power steering for better road feel

[UKcuda]

Camber Left +1/4* to +3/4*(preferred +1/2*)
Camber Right 0* to +1/2*(preferred +1/4*)

Probably that's asymetrical for driving on the right - we drive on the left so would have to reverse it.

Anyway thanks fellas,  I'll have a play with it at the weekend.  I'm not interested in what's factory correct as much as what feels right so I'll see what CP's suggestion does to it.

It's annoying if I have to change the camber - it'll crack the paint in the engine bay

[the_engineers]

What about the screw adjuster on the top of the box...is it the sector shaft set screw (Allen set screw with nut)?  I tightened mine down too far and the steering wouldn't return.  Didn't touch the valve, just the pre-load on that screw.   

[the_engineers]

This one...

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=62723.0

[UKcuda]

What about the screw adjuster on the top of the box...is it the sector shaft set screw (Allen set screw with nut)?  I tightened mine down too far and the steering wouldn't return.

Don't think so, sounds like you made yours too tight, I've done it before myself, mine feels free, but I can easily check that as well.

[T569Bee]

You could have a bind in the collum , try to disconect at the coupler and see if that frees up , if you are not retuning to center after a turn , if alighnment is good . There sould be some resistance with both front wheels  off the ground , but should be smooth even pressure . Try to loosen collum to firewall bolts , some adjustment there too , if your steering stops sticking theres your problem . Could have collision issuses or simply over center adjustment too tight .

[ShelbyDogg]

What about the screw adjuster on the top of the box...is it the sector shaft set screw (Allen set screw with nut)?  I tightened mine down too far and the steering wouldn't return.  Didn't touch the valve, just the pre-load on that screw.   

This is usually always the cause of a wheel not going back to center positon.