Hey guys,
I recently put a set of BF Goodrich Radial TA P215/60 14's on my 74 on new American Racing 14X7 wheels. I get a steering wheel vibration above 60mph. The car has new upper and lower control arms, ball joints, strut bushings, rotors. I replaced the steering rack and rag joint last year. I did found some play in the right inner tie rod, which could be the source. I was wondering if these tires are just too fat for this car. They fit just fine with no clearance problems. Has anyone had problems with Radial TA's? I checked them for out-of-round and they seem just fine once they are warmed up, a little flat spotted when cold. I spoke to a racing shop out here and they told me that they have had a lot of problems with BF Goodrich tires.
Joe
Pintony,
I used to be an alignment tech years ago and will be resetting the alignment myself. Most of the "hacks" that work at tire/alignment shops these days can't even use proper wheel weights let alone do an alignment on a car older then they are. I can't remember how many times I've had guys use impact guns on my alloys and had to make them stop. Anyway, I'm thinking you're right about the large tire size on the front. The wheels are aluminum, 14"x7", offset is stock, but the wheels are 2 inches wider than stock (7" vs 5"). All the ball joints, upper and lower control arms, strut bushings, rag joint, and tie rods are new, but I'm going to replace the rack with a power steering rack if I can find someone with the power steering brackets for the pump. The rack has some play in the right inner tie rod.
I'll just sell these TA's. They are brand new with maybe 500 miles on them.
Joe
Just something to try or check....
Does your rims properly fit the tire wideth? Wide tires on skinny rims never seem to hold their balance.
Next, clean the inside of the rims with a solvent. I have seen excess grease & debris that sticks to the grease effect the balance. Clean your wheels the next day after any grease job.
Next, get the wheels rebalanced. Do the rears too.
I have P195/65/R15 on my 73 with no vibration what-so-ever.
Another thing to try. Change your universal joints and balance your driveshaft. You would be surprised how this smooths out your car at speed.
Yeah,
Forgot to say... yes change the tie rod ends! Do you get some momentary directional pull when the brakes are first applied? If so that is your problem.
Also the tires I have are radial T/A's.
did you look inside the tires before they were mounted I seen some pretty big balancing patches on some tires. No vibration before the new tires and rims??
Hey guys,
Thanks for all of your replies. My right inner tie rod is pretty bad. I can probably get a good 1/4 inch of play in and out. I'll probably just replace the rack. I had the driveshaft cut and balanced when I put in the T5 but I remember having a 65 Mustang that had the rear yoke nut come loose. I'm going to check the u-joints as well.
The new control arms I put in have what looks like urethane bushings, a lot stiffer than the originals. I'm wondering if more road vibration is coming thru because of that as well.
Joe
polyurathane Bushings do transmit more Vibration into the car, but if its really bad then i would look at the others you mentioned my 75 Has all poly up front and if i can find them Poly for the back too.
Quote from: Pangra74 on August 17, 2008, 02:02:13 AM
Pintony,
I used to be an alignment tech years ago and will be resetting the alignment myself. Most of the "hacks" that work at tire/alignment shops these days can't even use proper wheel weights let alone do an alignment on a car older then they are. I can't remember how many times I've had guys use impact guns on my alloys and had to make them stop. Anyway, I'm thinking you're right about the large tire size on the front. The wheels are aluminum, 14"x7", offset is stock, but the wheels are 2 inches wider than stock (7" vs 5"). All the ball joints, upper and lower control arms, strut bushings, rag joint, and tie rods are new, but I'm going to replace the rack with a power steering rack if I can find someone with the power steering brackets for the pump. The rack has some play in the right inner tie rod.
I'll just sell these TA's. They are brand new with maybe 500 miles on them.
Joe
for the power steering i would look for a ranger w/ 2.0 with power steering mine was a 88 sport xts but 2.0 already have v belt not serpentine. well mine did