side sway

[RodCar]

Hi, I have a 1978 Caprice, something strange is happening, when I raise speed a sway at the front end starts, is like I starts to move the steering left to right in little and slow steps. Does anybody have experienced something like this before?

[Blue Bowtie]

Oh. A little torque steer, huh? Have you looked at the bushings/mounts for the rear control arms lately? You might want to .

[RodCar]

Thanks for that, Actually I thought the same and change all bushings, front and rear from energy suspension (the old ones were broke and/or damaged) and suspension is very good, but sway remains nothing changed in that issue. I am worried because I do not feel safe when driving it, car has never been hit or repaired.

[TommySS]

Put shocks on it AND a set of springs. If it sways, the bushings are probably bad, but there's too much play to be just the bushings.

Shocks and springs are good for up to 100k miles.

[Blue Bowtie]

Is there a remote chance that you have somehow got a set of bias ply tires on the front axle?

[RodCar]

Thanks for all replies, I have changed shocks a week ago, but my rear springs are very old, maybe are the original, also the mechanic told me the weight and years have compressed them, more than the front ones, but the sway movement is in the front. Do you think this coud be the issue?
Thanks Blue, in the front I have a pair of BF Goodrich radial tires.

[1986Z28]

id be amazed if it had bias ply tires on it

[GreyGoose006]

the tires could be unbalanced and it only shows up at a certain speed (unless it gets worse the more you accel)

Is it SPEED related or ACCELERATION related?

[RodCar]

Is speed releted, but I balanced all tires, let me describe the movement: If you are holding the steer wheel, the car moves side to side, just like if you are playing to move the wheel but slower.

[GreyGoose006]

there may be lots of slack in the steering. im not exactly sure how to fix this, but i dont think it will be easy. you could also have a suspension part that is worn, broken or disconected.

have you looked under the car to check and see if everything is connected?

[RodCar]

Yes, everything is connected, but you talked about steer adjustment? I heard about this and sometime ago somebody made an adjustment an a car I had, maybe is that, I know the steer has an allen screw that you tight, if somebody knows it will be appreciated.

[TommySS]

Originally Posted by Blue Bowtie

Is there a remote chance that you have somehow got a set of bias ply tires on the front axle?

GOOD point. Radials are so common most folks don't know to never mix them w/bias ply

[bobss396]

First take a good look at your front tires for broken belts, bulges, etc. If you want to rule them out, swap the fronts and the backs and take it for a ride.

Suspensionwise, worn springs and shocks are not your immediate problem. Look for a bad idler arm, centerlink, swaybar links and tierod ends first. Make sure the steering box and idler arm is tight to the frame. Check your front wheel bearings. Like someone else suggested, look at your upper a-arm bushings.

Many repair shops will give you a free estimate on front end work, they jack it up and shake down the front end, takes only a few minutes.

Bob

[RodCar]

You will not believe this, this weekend I checked all bars and bushings (these are new) and everything is Ok, Mechanic told me that we could change rear springs and see waht whappens, he thinks that is the problem. Any suggestions are welcome.

[GreyGoose006]

have you done the swap yet. how did everything turn out. did that fix the problem?