Steering questions?

[claypole1360]

So with a quick rack from S and S, and the steering set up to manufacturer's tolerances, with 205 series tyres on balanced(twice) alloys, I still get massively vague steering, with a tendency to wander at speed, and worse still, that damned vibration that nearly rips the steering wheel out of my hands at 50mph.
So, taking a punt, I intend to get my wheels balanced again, and I am tempted to add a spot of toe in(set currently to dead straight ahead). What does everyone think?

[Hasbeen]

What is the nature of your wheel wobble/vibration?

The usual unbalance wobble is at about 57 to 65 MPH, [95 to 105 KM/H in my language]. This is a high frequency small magnitude wobble at the steering wheel.

A wobble at around 50 MPH is usually due to toe in error. This is a low frequency higher magnitude wobble at the steering wheel.

The balance wobble is usually not much affected by light/normal braking, whereas the alignment wobble can be increased dramatically by light braking.

Any large amount of wear in a tie rod end, or the inner pivot point in the rack can give you the alignment wobble, or make it much worse.

Hope this helps.

Hasbeen

[claypole1360]

Thanks Hasbeen, that is very concise.
Does anyone have the toe in settings?

[saabfast]

Thanks Hasbeen, that is very concise.
Does anyone have the toe in settings?

0 to 1.5mm (0.0622) toe in according to the Manual.

[claypole1360]

Thanks,Alan. I'll try to squeeze in a tyre fitters between Wednesday and Friday.
Calvin

[jeffremj]

It is possible that you have unbalanceable tyres. Move the fronts to the rear and vice versa? Are the wheels hub centric. If they are not snug on the hub, this may make a good balance impossible. Vague-ness is unusual, my TR7s always track true - dodgy tyres again? Subframe moving around? Bulkhead steering bush breaking up will cause this! Does the steering wheel move in and out - if so, the steering rack pinion bearing may be loose.

[kstrutt1]

I found fitting poly bushes to the inner end of the lower control arms made a big improvement, also make sure the roll bar clamps are tight against the bushes to stop it moving sideways.