Wandering Spider

[Herb22]

My '89 seems to be wandering a bit. I've had it since new so it could just be my imagination. Where would I start to diagnose? Tie Rod ends? Idler arm? Steering box?

[WopJob]

you mean as if you hit a bump and the car seems to fishtail necessitating compensation with steering? Or Is the steering loose and the car wanders necessitating frequent imput from you to keep it in line?

start from the easy stuff: as suggested by another member (Russ?), set front pressure at 33 and rear at 30, instead of the factory suggested. the play in the steering can be adjusted somewhat by the nut/screw set up on the steering box. this will fix the wandering problem. as far as the hitting-a-bump-and-the-car-changes-direction, you probably have something wrong with the suspension, I'm not sure what though, but I would like to find out myself.

[tiger0529]

Where in CO are you located?

[paulbinct]

If the car seems to wander as you get on and off the gas, so it kind of pulls on acceleration, and then pulls the other way under engine braking, it is probably the rear trailing arm bushings that are shot. If you have never done them you can pretty much know they need replacing.

[ghnl]

Have you had the front end aligned?

Renewing the suspension bushings is probably long over due. Your car is nearly 20 years old...

[alfaloco]

Wandering can be caused by a number of things, including old tires that no longer run true. How many miles are on your car? Jack the front end up and check for excessive play in the front wheel bearings. Does it tend to drift around when just cruising, or under braking? When was the last time you had the toe-in set? Has it ever had crash damage?

Answers to these questions might help pinpoint the cause.

[jamieandthemagi]

I just got rid of my s4's wandering, by replacing the tyres. it had 195/50/15 now got 195/60/15. It tramlined really badly.

[Alfacliff]

to check for loosness in the steering, have someone rock the steering wheel back and forth while feeling things like tierods, idler arm, steering bx and such. if the car is level and down on the wheels when you do, this should indicate what is loose.
cliff

[Herb22]

Quote:

Originally Posted by WopJob you mean as if you hit a bump and the car seems to fishtail necessitating compensation with steering? Or Is the steering loose and the car wanders necessitating frequent imput from you to keep it in line? start from the easy stuff: as suggested by another member (Russ?), set front pressure at 33 and rear at 30, instead of the factory suggested. the play in the steering can be adjusted somewhat by the nut/screw set up on the steering box. this will fix the wandering problem. as far as the hitting-a-bump-and-the-car-changes-direction, you probably have something wrong with the suspension, I'm not sure what though, but I would like to find out myself.

[Herb22]

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulbinct If the car seems to wander as you get on and off the gas, so it kind of pulls on acceleration, and then pulls the other way under engine braking, it is probably the rear trailing arm bushings that are shot. If you have never done them you can pretty much know they need replacing.

[Herb22]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghnl Have you had the front end aligned? Renewing the suspension bushings is probably long over due. Your car is nearly 20 years old...

[SteveD]

I would start with the steering box adjustment and work my way up to more complicated causes from there.

[WopJob]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveD I would start with the steering box adjustment and work my way up to more complicated causes from there.

[elite38868]

Ever get a chance to find out what was causing it?

[bianchi1]

i have polly bushings in the rear of my car, and polly castor bushing in front.. it works well for me(84 spider)the rear doe's not wander at all , the polly castor even better..