Car Wobbles

[Charles Powell]

Hi,

I've enjoyed reading this site for many months. I have a problem with my T that I'm hoping some of you can give me some guidance on. I have a Spirit 23-T. At around 42-45 MPH, it seems like the whole car wobbles and shakes. When I get above 45, it seems to go away until I reach around 55. It then wobbles between 55 and 58 and goes away when I get above that.

I have 31x18Rx15 tires on 14" wheels on the rear and 205/60R-15 tires on 7" wheels on the front. Could the rear tires being out of balance cause this condition? They have been balanced but I noticed each wheel has 4 pretty big weights right together. I'm just wondering if spinning the tire on the wheel and then rebalancing might cure the problem. Of course, I would welcome any other ideas on what might be the problem.

The car drives great and doesn't wander or pull to either side. I had a problem with the "death wobble" for a while but seem to have cured that with a toe-in adjustment.

Also, can someone tell me how to make sure I have the friction shocks are adjusted right? This is my first experience with them.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Charley

[1bluebucket]

Charley, I at one time had a similar problem and did the following. Radial tires all around, balanced these tires by installing Dyna Beads inside the tires. Also installed a SoCal steering stabilizer. I have to say no more problems!!

[Orville Duncan]

Dyna-Beads - Do you do just the front or did you do the big back tires also? Also how much did you use. I have always wondered if they really worked.

[1bluebucket]

I did all four wheels based on their suggestion. Google to get the phone number and talk to the sales person. The amount is based on tire size and very easy to install. Just put the valve stem at the 6 o'clock position, remove the valve stem core and pour them in using a piece of plastic hose that fits tight on the valve stem,takes a little time but it works. They will tell you to remove all your wheel weights which I did. With radial tires, dyna beads and a steering stabilizer the bucket is now a joy to drive!!! Let me know what you do. Hint- if you have a tire with a bunch of weights you might have it remounted in a different position on the rim.

[Bill Holley]

wondering if u have toe in on the front tires ??? u should have about 1/8" toe in.. what wheels are u using.. weld pro star"s ??? if so you NEED to pull them and lay on the bench/floor. use lug bolts to center the internal spacer. and drill a 1/8" hole from the back side and NOT all the way through to the front. use a split pin to keep the spacer from moving then have them re-balanced. the problem with these wheels is u balance them and put on car the spacer will move a nats butt and will be off balance again.. u've got to keep the spacer from moving again or u waste money/time.

[mike wade]

Another thing you need to check is to make sure there is NO play in any of the steering components.
Run the front axle bearing tighter than you would on a regular car...The weight on the front of a Bucket is much less than a regular car..
.If the tie rod is in front of the axle then the car may need to be toe out instead of toe in.....Don't be afraid to set it at about 1/8 inch or better....Once you get the front all tightened up I bet the shake goes away.......Think a little out side of the box on these little cars....My car is about 1/16 toed out and it drives like it is on rails.......My tie rod is behind the axle but it still like toe out.......

Mike

[Charles Powell]

Right now, I'm running about 1/8" toe-in and have Wheel Vintiques chrome reverse wheels. I'm beginning to wonder if I put too big of wheels and tires on the front. I like the looks of them but they are heavy. I tightened up the friction shocks a little yesterday and that helped some but still did not get rid of the problem. Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I'll be trying some of them.

[mike wade]

Sometime with friction shocks everything needs to be in very good shape. I know they have worked for many years but if you can install good hyd shocks your shake problem may be a thing of the past.........I had friction shocks on mine and just never did like the way they work but, that good have just been me I recon......

I hope these help you fix the car.........

Mike

[Charles Powell]

I've given consideration to installing hydraulic shocks instead of the friction ones. Is there someone out there that makes a good bolt-on mounting bracket for the hydraulic ones? (I don't know a thing about welding).

Thanks,
Charley

[mike wade]

Call Ron Pope Motorsports at the top of this page....See if he can help........