Front wheel push

[Tuckerjr]

Hi guys,

I would like input on what could cause the front wheels to hop or push on my 74 Dart Sport when I am making a slow speed tight radius turn, like pulling into a parking space.

It doesn't seem to do it if I make a more gradual turn. I have had an alignment done and it seems to be tracking ok and no uneven tire wear. The front end was rebuilt earlier this year with all new bushings, ball joints, and tie rod ends.

We also put on a new power steering box but I believe it was doing this before we installed the new one.

Any thoughts on things to check would be appreciated.

 

[godfatherofchry]

do you have a spool or a detroit locker in the rear???......Artie

 

[Tuckerjr]

I have an 8 3/4 with open 3:23 gears.

 

[mcnoople]

Toe is out of spec. Was it aligned by someone who knows old mopars? I would have it checked again. The procedure is only slightly more complicated than modern cars, but most alignment techs do not understand the proper way to do chrysler torsion bar alignments.

Ride height absolutely MUST be set before alignment. Then bounce the car and make sure ride height stays correct. All bushings MUST be tightened with the car's weight loading the suspension, this includes the UCA bushings which are a pain to reach with the car on its wheels. Then adjust camber/caster, then set toe. Incorrect toe will cause hopping and skipping. Replacing the ps box does not affect alignment angles, but can cause an slightly offcenter steering wheel.

If it comes up in spec I would follow the mopar "chassis" books explantion of charting toe angle changes and inspect for something slightly bent.

 

[TrailBeast]

Toe is out of spec. Was it aligned by someone who knows old mopars? I would have it checked again. The procedure is only slightly more complicated than modern cars, but most alignment techs do not understand the proper way to do chrysler torsion bar alignments.

Ride height absolutely MUST be set before alignment. Then bounce the car and make sure ride height stays correct. All bushings MUST be tightened with the car's weight loading the suspension, this includes the UCA bushings which are a pain to reach with the car on its wheels. Then adjust camber/caster, then set toe. Incorrect toe will cause hopping and skipping. Replacing the ps box does not affect alignment angles, but can cause an slightly offcenter steering wheel.

If it comes up in spec I would follow the mopar "chassis" books explantion of charting toe angle changes and inspect for something slightly bent.

Yep
Mine did the same thing till I got the toe right.
Bet it squeals a little when you go over manhole covers or painted lines too, right?
Another clue is that the front of the car will jump sideways a little when you go over a small bump or pothole.
Or when one wheel gets off in gravel or sand.
Also look at the sidewalls as Id bet you'll see wear marks further up the sidewall that it should be.

 

[Bad Sport]

do you have a spool or a detroit locker in the rear???......Artie

That was my first thought too.

 

[wjajr]

When car suddenly twitches or pulls in one direction or another when one front wheel is on clean pavement the other a on low traction surface (such as sand covered pavement, manhole cover, painted stripes etc.) a sudden the toe is out of spec. I’ll bet the ride height was not first properly set, and toe-in spec. listed as fraction of inches, not modern degrees, was misinterpreted.