FIXED HANDLING PROBLEM-Question on Tires and handling? "Circuit Rider"

[djmachinist]

Originally Posted by 70cst

Another good point. I am making a check list to follow up on. When I get home I'll check this out. Thanks.

Another thing to check is make sure the centerlink is not on backwards! If the Tie rods are in front of the centerlink and not on the the back of the centerlink, its on backwards. The truck will be scary nervous in this condition.
Don't ask me how I know!!!!

Dale

[70cst]

Originally Posted by djmachinist

Another thing to check is make sure the centerlink is not on backwards! If the Tie rods are in front of the centerlink and not on the the back of the centerlink, its on backwards. The truck will be scary nervous in this condition.
Don't ask me how I know!!!!

Dale

That is the feeling I get when I was driving the Circuit Rider. At 50-55 I was not feeling comfortable. I realize these are 40 yr old trucks but I know these trucks drive better then what mine is. As mentioned I am going through the fine tuning stage of the truck.

[djmachinist]

Originally Posted by 70cst

That is the feeling I get when I was driving the Circuit Rider. At 50-55 I was not feeling comfortable. I realize these are 40 yr old trucks but I know these trucks drive better then what mine is. As mentioned I am going through the fine tuning stage of the truck.

Yeah, I rebuilt the whole suspension and brakes on my 69 with a 1 1/4" front sway bar. My truck rides and drives very much like a modern truck. Very nice!! So...If your truck is acting nervous, something is wrong.

Dale

[70cst]

Originally Posted by djmachinist

Yeah, I rebuilt the whole suspension and brakes on my 69 with a 1 1/4" front sway bar. My truck rides and drives very much like a modern truck. Very nice!! So...If your truck is acting nervous, something is wrong.

Dale

I will overcome this issue...with the help of this board of course!

[turp mcspray]

As far as the pulling to one side, swap your tires from side to side, and see if it has any effect.

[70cst]

Well I got the Handling Issue fixed-I took the Circuit Rider in to Marks Alignment and this is what I found out.
Passenger Side
1) Shims on passenger side were missing
2) The toe In was off by 3"
3) Camber was off by 2 deg. It is now 1/2 deg positive.
4) CASTER Was 4 deg. neg. now 2 deg positive (I forget which measuremment this was)

Drivers Side
1) 2) The bolts holding the shims in the Driver side were loose-they would have eventually fallen out.

Now we know why it handled so poorly...

[leddzepp]

Wow, I hope the guy that did your alignment originally didn't do any work on the rest of the truck. I'd be pretty upset if I just got this back fresh from a frame off restoration...that is an absolute joke.

[70cst]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

Wow, I hope the guy that did your alignment originally didn't do any work on the rest of the truck. I'd be pretty upset if I just got this back fresh from a frame off restoration...that is an absolute joke.

This is what I found out...
They got behind in installing the new stock springs (I had a rubbing issue with the 2" drop springs) and someone forgot to get the truck back to the alignment shop. Be that what it may be-no damage done...it doesn't pay to rush.

[djmachinist]

Originally Posted by 70cst

Well I got the Handling Issue fixed-I took the Circuit Rider in to Marks Alignment and this is what I found out.
Passenger Side
1) Shims on passenger side were missing
2) The toe In was off by 3"
3) Camber was off by 2 deg. It is now 1/2 deg positive.
4) CASTER Was 4 deg. neg. now 2 deg positive

Drivers Side
1) 2) The bolts holding the shims in the Driver side were loose-they would have eventually fallen out.

Now we know why it handled so poorly...

Great, glad you got it fixed.

Dale

[70cst]

WOW...just got back from a little drive. It's amazing how a good alignment can really improve the handling of these trucks!!! It is now a real blast driving the Circuit Rider.

[robnolimit]

One thing to note, the wider the tire, the more caster you need. add 2 or three degrees to the stock setting.

[gcburdic]

awesome....glad ya got it fixed....now about those pictures?!?!?....Got any?!?!?

Also, any good stories from Mark???

[trz1000]

If you haven't already, you should have a chat with the service manager and owner about this. That's beyond horrible workmanship, it's negligent. Your truck could have been damaged or someone could have been hurt.

I'm not a fan of getting belligerent and making threats and all that but they need to know what left their shop. If they're stand up guys (or gals) they'll appreciate the feedback. They should offer something to make it right but they may not. Just be firm but polite and stick to the facts.

I deal with customers every day. It hurts to hear that your product doesn't perform but bad feedback is better than no feedback and a lost customer. I encourage all my customers to provide feedback on any issue, no matter how small. It's invaluable as I can't fix a problem that I don't know about. Plus I get to see trends and fix issues before the get huge. If 10 people are all having the same real small issue, I have a process problem that needs to be addressed. If only one customer reports it, then I would most likely assume it's an anomaly and miss an opportunity to improve.

Originally Posted by 70cst

This is what I found out...
They got behind in installing the new stock springs (I had a rubbing issue with the 2" drop springs) and someone forgot to get the truck back to the alignment shop. Be that what it may be-no damage done...it doesn't pay to rush.

[70cst]

Originally Posted by gcburdic

awesome....glad ya got it fixed....now about those pictures?!?!?....Got any?!?!?

Also, any good stories from Mark???

I will get these up shortly.