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Unstable at speeds #1128043
12/05/11 04:05 PM
12/05/11 04:05 PM
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 710
Harrisburg Pa. 17112
M
moparmikethree Offline OP
super stock
moparmikethree  Offline OP
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 710
Harrisburg Pa. 17112
My 70 Challenger which has all new suspension parts is very unstable at high speeds.I want to drag race this car. Will a front sway bar help this? What about Caster/Camber settings. What settings should it have?

Like I said everything is new, but you have to "saw" the wheel to keep it going straight.

Re: Unstable at speeds [Re: moparmikethree] #1128044
12/05/11 04:09 PM
12/05/11 04:09 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,886
Lost and Spaced
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bboogieart Offline
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Who installed all those new parts? Did it do this befor?
Seems to me, you might just need a good front end alignment.


I have mechanical Aptitude.
I can screw up anything.
Re: Unstable at speeds [Re: bboogieart] #1128045
12/05/11 04:12 PM
12/05/11 04:12 PM
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 710
Harrisburg Pa. 17112
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moparmikethree Offline OP
super stock
moparmikethree  Offline OP
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Harrisburg Pa. 17112
The car was converted from a /6 to a 360
with aprox 450 hp. I did all of the work.
Chrysler mechanic 31 years now.

When doing alignment could not get camber where it belongs. May buy the upper control arms ( tubular with adjustment) to get it right

Re: Unstable at speeds [Re: moparmikethree] #1128046
12/05/11 04:15 PM
12/05/11 04:15 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,886
Lost and Spaced
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bboogieart Offline
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Sounds like you know what you are doing. I have only played with these so no expert. Sounds like your right about the tubular a arms.
Good Luck.


I have mechanical Aptitude.
I can screw up anything.
Re: Unstable at speeds [Re: moparmikethree] #1128047
12/05/11 04:55 PM
12/05/11 04:55 PM
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,848
Memphis
HemiRick Offline
master
HemiRick  Offline
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Posts: 4,848
Memphis
You know about the offset controll arm bushings that Moog makes? May give the camber you need much cheaper than new arms.


Take care,
Rick
68 Coronet R/T 440 & 68 Charger 528 Hemi,and 5 Challengers! 6 cyl, 318, 360, 383, 451
Re: Unstable at speeds [Re: moparmikethree] #1128048
12/05/11 04:58 PM
12/05/11 04:58 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,243
Canada
Kam*Kuda Offline
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Kam*Kuda  Offline
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Posts: 4,243
Canada
How is the steering box?

Lift the car and see if you feel any play when you pull on the wheels? See if there is any excessive movement.


1970 Barracuda Convertible
1968 Satellite Street Strip car
1654.5 Mustang
1955 Land Rover
Re: Unstable at speeds [Re: HemiRick] #1128049
12/05/11 05:07 PM
12/05/11 05:07 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,368
Wheatfield, NY
Cuda340 Offline
top fuel
Cuda340  Offline
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Posts: 2,368
Wheatfield, NY
Quote:

You know about the offset controll arm bushings that Moog makes? May give the camber you need much cheaper than new arms.




This is a good fix...

Re: Unstable at speeds [Re: Cuda340] #1128050
12/05/11 05:24 PM
12/05/11 05:24 PM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,982
Scranton, PA
Montclaire Offline
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Montclaire  Offline
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Posts: 7,982
Scranton, PA
You need to:

1) Upgrade to properly rated torsion bars, if you have not done so already. (1970 you could get the 340 performance package which used 383 bars, I would copy that)

2) Buy the moog offset uppers. (You have to install them opposite the instructions though)

3) Check for bumpsteer and shim/slot/gusset the steering mount. Also I think Firm Feel is making an add-on brace for the bottom of the sector shaft on the box.

4) Is the box rebuilt? If not get a rebuilt box from Steer N Gear or Firm Feel.

5) Replace your strut rods. You do not need high dollar adjustables, just the the 30% oversized ones.

6) Pot coupler. The steering pot coupler can wear if left open and dry for extended periods. This will cause slop between the steering wheel and the actual imput on the box. Check for play and replace/repair if needed.

7) Alignment. For handling, you want +3.0 caster and -.5 camber but this is not always possible. Get as much + caster as possible while keeping negative camber.

There is also an adjustment that can be made for dead neurtal, where the box should basically be unassisted if going straight ahead, check the FSM for specs.

Last edited by Montclaire; 12/05/11 05:29 PM.
Re: Unstable at speeds [Re: moparmikethree] #1128051
12/05/11 05:29 PM
12/05/11 05:29 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
Challenger 1 Offline
Too Many Posts
Challenger 1  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
Quote:

The car was converted from a /6 to a 360
with aprox 450 hp. I did all of the work.
Chrysler mechanic 31 years now.

When doing alignment could not get camber where it belongs. May buy the upper control arms ( tubular with adjustment) to get it right





You mean you can't get enough positive caster, right. Not camber.
Exactly right, invest in some Firm Feel upper control arms, they made a world of difference on my 71.
My black 74 has the offset bushings, the FF upper arms made way more difference ,gave me like 5 degrees of positive caster.

Last edited by Challenger 1; 12/05/11 09:28 PM.
Re: Unstable at speeds [Re: Challenger 1] #1128052
12/05/11 05:30 PM
12/05/11 05:30 PM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,982
Scranton, PA
Montclaire Offline
master
Montclaire  Offline
master

Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,982
Scranton, PA
Quote:

Quote:

The car was converted from a /6 to a 360
with aprox 450 hp. I did all of the work.
Chrysler mechanic 31 years now.

When doing alignment could not get camber where it belongs. May buy the upper control arms ( tubular with adjustment) to get it right




Exactly right, invest in some Firm Feel upper control arms, they made a world of difference on my 71.
My black 74 has the offset bushings, the FF upper arms made way more difference ,gave me like 5 degrees of positive caster.




Did you install them right?

Re: Unstable at speeds [Re: Montclaire] #1128053
12/05/11 05:31 PM
12/05/11 05:31 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
Challenger 1 Offline
Too Many Posts
Challenger 1  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

The car was converted from a /6 to a 360
with aprox 450 hp. I did all of the work.
Chrysler mechanic 31 years now.

When doing alignment could not get camber where it belongs. May buy the upper control arms ( tubular with adjustment) to get it right




Exactly right, invest in some Firm Feel upper control arms, they made a world of difference on my 71.
My black 74 has the offset bushings, the FF upper arms made way more difference ,gave me like 5 degrees of positive caster.




Did you install them right?




Yes I did...

Re: Unstable at speeds [Re: Challenger 1] #1128054
12/05/11 05:40 PM
12/05/11 05:40 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041
Lincoln Nebraska
R
RapidRobert Offline
Circle Track
RapidRobert  Offline
Circle Track
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041
Lincoln Nebraska
Was it acting like this before the rebuilding?. I'm assuming no & you rebuilt it cause bushings were worn out.


live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
Re: Unstable at speeds [Re: RapidRobert] #1128055
12/05/11 07:09 PM
12/05/11 07:09 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 624
Modesto CA
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BFASTER Offline
mopar
BFASTER  Offline
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Posts: 624
Modesto CA
You should just junk that thing and get a real Mopar!!! Just kidding Mike. Sorry to hear you are having problems with the Challenger. Call me sometime, buddyyyyy!!!!!


1969 Dodge Super Bee Hardtop 2007 Nissan Altima 3.5SE
Re: Unstable at speeds [Re: moparmikethree] #1128056
12/06/11 06:27 PM
12/06/11 06:27 PM
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 710
Harrisburg Pa. 17112
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moparmikethree Offline OP
super stock
moparmikethree  Offline OP
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 710
Harrisburg Pa. 17112
bought the car as a slant six, never drove it , started to restore it right away so I don't know if there was a problem. I doubt there was a problem before.

where the upper control arm mounts to the body, that was rotted out. Got one from a B-body and welded it in. This is why i think it is off
and why I want to get adjustable upper control arms

Re: Unstable at speeds [Re: moparmikethree] #1128057
12/07/11 01:13 AM
12/07/11 01:13 AM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041
Lincoln Nebraska
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RapidRobert Offline
Circle Track
RapidRobert  Offline
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Lincoln Nebraska
Quote:

Got one from a B-body and welded it in. This is why i think it is off


What alignment settings did you end up w?


live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
Re: Unstable at speeds [Re: moparmikethree] #1128058
12/07/11 02:06 AM
12/07/11 02:06 AM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY Offline
Master
MR_P_BODY  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
You might want to check the toe cure in its travel..
if it goes toe out they can get real weird... specially
if it wants to rock side to side...then it starts
to dart back and forth and just gets worse

Re: Unstable at speeds [Re: MR_P_BODY] #1128059
12/07/11 02:41 AM
12/07/11 02:41 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,814
A collage of whims
topside Offline
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topside  Offline
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Posts: 20,814
A collage of whims
Sounds like a caster or toe problem, what was the readout? I'm assuming new leaf spring bushings & strut rod bushings and the sleeves are back in them.
Drag car should have 1/32" - 1/16" toe in, 0 camber, and as much positive caster as you can get. Put your weight in the driver's seat and raise the nose to the height it is in 3rd gear at the track, at race weight & fuel level. My Duster runs +7.0 LF and +7.2 RF caster, but it has the Jack Arnew reworked upper arms from its SS/IA days. It goes straight as a string @ 130, though you don't want to stick your wrist between the steering wheel spokes when you let the car straighten itself from full lock.

Re: Unstable at speeds [Re: topside] #1128060
12/07/11 02:57 AM
12/07/11 02:57 AM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY Offline
Master
MR_P_BODY  Offline
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Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
I set up my race car with 10* caster but for my
Rampage(street/strip) I set that up with 5* caster
because of the effort on the street and I have wider
tires on the front of it... both cars are strut
front ends

Re: Unstable at speeds [Re: moparmikethree] #1128061
12/07/11 11:12 AM
12/07/11 11:12 AM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,982
Scranton, PA
Montclaire Offline
master
Montclaire  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,982
Scranton, PA
Quote:

bought the car as a slant six, never drove it , started to restore it right away so I don't know if there was a problem. I doubt there was a problem before.

where the upper control arm mounts to the body, that was rotted out. Got one from a B-body and welded it in. This is why i think it is off
and why I want to get adjustable upper control arms




Well that would be an important fact to include. Get the adjustable arms and take it to a chassis shop, a good one, and have them blueprint the car. Who knows what may be up with it at this point.

Re: Unstable at speeds [Re: topside] #1128062
12/07/11 01:15 PM
12/07/11 01:15 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,421
Balt. Md
3
383man Offline
Too Many Posts
383man  Offline
Too Many Posts
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,421
Balt. Md
Quote:

Sounds like a caster or toe problem, what was the readout? I'm assuming new leaf spring bushings & strut rod bushings and the sleeves are back in them.
Drag car should have 1/32" - 1/16" toe in, 0 camber, and as much positive caster as you can get. Put your weight in the driver's seat and raise the nose to the height it is in 3rd gear at the track, at race weight & fuel level. My Duster runs +7.0 LF and +7.2 RF caster, but it has the Jack Arnew reworked upper arms from its SS/IA days. It goes straight as a string @ 130, though you don't want to stick your wrist between the steering wheel spokes when you let the car straighten itself from full lock.





I agree with this. My 63 is all stock suspension and I have about 0 camber and gave it as much positive caster as I could which was around 2 I believe but I would have to find my printout to know the right spec. I also have my toe very close to zero with it toed in a tad. It handles very good at 125 and I know most race cars handle better with the more caster.

But can you give us the specs that it is set at now ?? Ron

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