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Handling

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Gary_D

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While driving today at appx 60MPH, give or take 10mph either way, I noticed a slight pull to the left when I lifted my foot off the accelerator pedal quickly and a slight pull to the right when I accelerated again. If I am driving normal and accelerate at speed, I don't notice the pull to the right. Almost feels like some sort of torque thing going on. Anyone have any ideas about this one and how to solve it?
 
I'd be looking at front leaf spring brackets, front leaf spring bushings, rubber seating pads (both sides of center of spring), spring centre bolt, loose or broken axle "U" bolts.

Almost sounds like torque steer, axle moving back and forth on one side.
 
Tighten the bolts on the rear axle. Keep cranking you almost can't get them too tight. Bet you find them rather loose. Part of normal maintenance routine every year.
 
Tighten the bolts on the rear axle. Keep cranking you almost can't get them too tight. Bet you find them rather loose. Part of normal maintenance routine every year. Also if you have the car up in the air on jack stands, put it back on the ground before you crank away on those bolts to get them really tight.
 
Thanks guys. That gives me somewhere to start. With any luck(and you need alot with LBC)that will take care of the pulls. I know I need to replace the bushings, still have the orginal rubber.
 
What it sounds like, basically, is acceleration is causing the axle on one side to shift forward, causing the car to steer from the back.
A sharp let-off causes the axle to snap back and maybe even go further, causing it to steer the other way from the rear.

A quick test, let go the steering wheel (hold you hands close, surrounding it, just in case), and try the accelerate/decelerate.
If the car turns, THEN the steering wheel turns it's in the rear.
If the wheel turns, then the car turns, it's in the front.

Useful also with brake issues.
 
Mine did the same and it was bad control arm/shock bushings. As you loaded/unloaded the front end w/ the throttle, splindle location would change and effect steering. Might want to give them a look see as well. Definatly tighen the axle. Like he said, part of normal maint.

Seen it on a B too.
 
I currently am having the same problem with my '76. I'll bet that you have a worn outer fulcrum pin on the right front A-arm. Check for movement at the outer fulcrum pin and while you at it check the rest of your front bushings. If you have movement, check your A-arm for cracks also. Unfortunately if the fulcrum pin is worn out often the A-arm is also. If so contact Peter C. at World Wide Auto Parts. Good parts at a good price.
https://www.nosimport.com/

I'll be doing this repair on mine after the first of the year.

Rich Ball
'76 Midget
Everett, WA
 
I also had an issue with the Spring Mounting Plate being loose and allowing the axle to move about on right turns. There was a 1/2" long V shaped groove worn in the mounting plate as DPO reassembled with wrong size bolts. Go into a right turn, body would lean and get car set up for the corner, sudden axle shift in the rear and all sorts of weird handling gyrations. Axle wasn't actually shifting the mounting plate was moving back and forth. Could not be seen until I took the springs off to replace the bushings.

And then again you'll likely find lots of stuff worn out in the front end. Peter C is rebuilding A frames. I've got one to send to him hopefully this winter for Bugsy that needs rebuilt. Jack up, unbolt swivel axle assembly send off for rebuild, complete unit comes back fixed a short while later. At least that is the plan. After the engine, this is the most expensive part of a Spridget to restore and get right. Once it's right you can't believe the way the car handles like it is on rails. A set of rebuilt shocks from Peter C is the ticket as well.
 
Sounds like I have alot to check out this winter. Seems like it never ends. Guess there's always something to do. Thanks for all the knowledge and input!
Gary
 
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