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Sprite Swerves

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M

MCS

Jedi Warrior
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Hello,
Any ideas why my 66 sprite swerves to the right when I lift off the gas? It is a substantial pull to the right. When I step on the gas it tracks straight. The car seems to have a very slight creep to the right at 50 mph. Somebody posted a steering alignment method here just having trouble finding it. I wonder if all four wheels need to be aligned. I guess I could draw lines on the garage floor and measure.
Last week I pulled the front suspension off. Rebuilt the king pins, new wishbones, bushings etc. Front shocks are new from Peter C. The front end was lose prior to my rebuild, so the car did not track well. It is a 100% better, does not change lanes when I hit a bump. Only time it changes lane is when I quickly lift my foot off the gas.
Thanks Phil
 
Sounds like something loose in the rear suspension. Tighten and inspect everything carefully.
 
The bushings in the rear suspension are probably just as bad as what you found in the front, and you're facing a rebuild there too. Not quite as daunting as the front end job you just went through. You can see if the u-bolt nuts are torqued down tight, but suspect shackle bushings are a goner.
 
Rear is an easy and cheep job compaired to the front.
 
My '66 did the same thing.. Getting on the gas pulled it to one side, letting off the gas it went the other way.. I tightened up the "U" bolts that hold the axle to the springs and its all better... I later asked if there was a torque spec for these bolts and was told to make them TIGHT! Easy, simple, cheap.
 
Thanks for the help.
I am going to order the polyurethane rear bushing kit today. I wonder if a shock would cause this. When I talked to Peter C he asked me a couple of questions and then said no need to replace the rear shocks. he said 9 out of 10 rear shocks come back for a rebuild and they are still ok.The parts will be here Thursday so I should have thenm instaled by the weekend.
Have a great week.
Phil
 
Shocks will not cause your problem.
 
update
That was a very tough job. Every bolt I touched was rusted solid. Some came out with a torch, some broke off and some were cut off.
I found out that my car was missing some bits.
Missing two of the 4 leaf spring center brackets. The centering pin for the leaf spring was a bolt. The bushings were either seized or worn out. I had to replace the two front mounts they were impossible to get apart, I heated the bolts cherry red, still would not come out. I had a couple of leaf springs in my spares, the leafs are broken but robbed the hardware. Just got back from my test drive, it tracks like an arrow, very happy. When I measured the free camber of the leaf springs there was a ¾ inch difference in height between the the pair. After I assembled everything I measured a half-inch lean, can’t really notice it but must fix it when I tear down for paint.I guess a spring shop can recurve a spring, not really sure. One last head scratching problem, deals with the front sway bar, going to start a new thread on that.
Phil
 
Sometimes that's the way it goes, especially with cars that have been in the cold climates you're in. I consider myself quite fortunate that the rear suspension components came apart fairly easily. PB Blaster and air tools help.

Check around and you'll probably find a shop that can rework your springs. Might try seeing who the four wheel drive clubs use in your area. After all I've read and heard about replacement springs, reworked originals are the better way to go.
 
Thanks, from reading other post I agree keep the old ones and find a good spring shop. Next Years project. I only have a month or two left before I tuck her away for winter. It drives like a brand new car, big happy face where ever I go.
Phil
 
Way to go Phil.
 
MCS said:
Thanks, from reading other post I agree keep the old ones and find a good spring shop. Next Years project. I only have a month or two left before I tuck her away for winter. It drives like a brand new car, big happy face where ever I go.
Phil
Click to expand...

FWIW Phil I used Cambridge Springs when I got my rear springs de-arched was quite happy. cost me about $60
 
I will make a note
thanks Phil
sent you my info via Pm if you ever need it.
 
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