59 panel with camaro clip, bad road wander - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**ScottH** · 05-10-2016, 11:42 PM

Recently acquired a 59 panel truck with a mid 70s camaro front clip on it. While I was driving it home I noticed the front end wanders a lot & doesnt want to stay straight. Havent had a chance to check it out yet, but was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on what might cause this.

Any info is appreciated.

Thanks
Scott

Daze57 · 05-10-2016, 11:52 PM

check to see if all steering components are tight --anything thats loose ! replace ! check drag link and idler arm for wear - if bushings are gone!! replace
check tires for balance - make sure you dont have any bent rims .
dont wait to check this stuff -- you could be in for a bad time if you let it go .
just my 02 cents

MARTINSR · 05-11-2016, 01:17 AM

One of the mistakes people make on those is welding in the frame clip is not paying attention to the angle of the upper control arm shafts. They weld it in to make it fit to the frame instead of welding it in with proper steering geometry. You may have no caster and that will make it wonder. Have it aligned and see where it is. They have offset upper control arm shafts to correct it sometimes.

Brian

_Ogre · 05-11-2016, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Have it aligned and see where it is.

i'd start there after checking for worn out components

OrrieG · 05-11-2016, 12:27 PM

Not stated but also check the steering box/rack and shaft components for wear.

Mac the Yankee · 05-11-2016, 02:52 PM

My '59 panel has a badly booger-welded Olds Cutlass clip under it... which is why I snapped up a local clapped out Suburban with a good stock chassis. In the process of cleaning up and rebuilding the Suburban chassis as we speak.

Have a good mechanic look over the work that the PO did. You may find any number of the issues mentioned above and more.

mr48chev · 05-11-2016, 04:28 PM

I'd go along with worn steering linkage and suspension bushings and or ball joints. Go through and check each piece of the steering and suspension for wear and movement and go from there.

Worn tires can do it too or even mismatched tires.

If it was installed correctly it should be able to be aligned with the same specs as the Camaro it came out of with possibly a tad more caster but at any rate it should track down the road without wondering.

**ScottH** · 05-11-2016, 04:33 PM

thanks guys for all the ideas & suggestions. I plan to take a look at it as soon as I can find the time. One thing I noticed was the control arm bushing were making a lot of noise, so maybe there r some tired components.

ptc · 05-11-2016, 05:13 PM

Sounds like the whole front end needs to be gone thru. Its a good investment.

So many people do these swaps with junk yard parts but they never do the required maintenance on these 40-50 year old front end parts! The mileage on them doesn't really matter, they are still 40 YEARS OLD! lol

Rubber doesnt last that long.

Rebuild it then Align it.

05-10-2016, 11:42 PM	#1
ScottH Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Hampstead, NC Posts: 8,187	59 panel with camaro clip, bad road wander Recently acquired a 59 panel truck with a mid 70s camaro front clip on it. While I was driving it home I noticed the front end wanders a lot & doesnt want to stay straight. Havent had a chance to check it out yet, but was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on what might cause this. Any info is appreciated. Thanks Scott __________________ 1963 C10 swb fleetside 1966 GMC G1000 Handi-bus (future project) 1955 Chevy 2 dr. wagon

05-10-2016, 11:52 PM	#2
Daze57 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Las Vegas - Nev. aka Sin City Posts: 1,835	Re: 59 panel with camaro clip, bad road wander check to see if all steering components are tight --anything thats loose ! replace ! check drag link and idler arm for wear - if bushings are gone!! replace check tires for balance - make sure you dont have any bent rims . dont wait to check this stuff -- you could be in for a bad time if you let it go . just my 02 cents

05-11-2016, 01:17 AM	#3
MARTINSR Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 6,003	Re: 59 panel with camaro clip, bad road wander One of the mistakes people make on those is welding in the frame clip is not paying attention to the angle of the upper control arm shafts. They weld it in to make it fit to the frame instead of welding it in with proper steering geometry. You may have no caster and that will make it wonder. Have it aligned and see where it is. They have offset upper control arm shafts to correct it sometimes. Brian __________________ 1948 Chevy pickup Chopped, Sectioned, 1953 Corvette 235 powered. Once was even 401 Buick mid engined with the carburetor right between the seats! Bought with paper route money in 1973 when I was 15. "Fan of most anything that moves human beings"

05-11-2016, 12:27 PM	#5
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: 59 panel with camaro clip, bad road wander Not stated but also check the steering box/rack and shaft components for wear. __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project

05-11-2016, 02:52 PM	#6
Mac the Yankee Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Winder, GA Posts: 274	Re: 59 panel with camaro clip, bad road wander My '59 panel has a badly booger-welded Olds Cutlass clip under it... which is why I snapped up a local clapped out Suburban with a good stock chassis. In the process of cleaning up and rebuilding the Suburban chassis as we speak. Have a good mechanic look over the work that the PO did. You may find any number of the issues mentioned above and more.

05-11-2016, 04:28 PM	#7
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,498	Re: 59 panel with camaro clip, bad road wander I'd go along with worn steering linkage and suspension bushings and or ball joints. Go through and check each piece of the steering and suspension for wear and movement and go from there. Worn tires can do it too or even mismatched tires. If it was installed correctly it should be able to be aligned with the same specs as the Camaro it came out of with possibly a tad more caster but at any rate it should track down the road without wondering. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

05-11-2016, 04:33 PM	#8
ScottH Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Hampstead, NC Posts: 8,187	Re: 59 panel with camaro clip, bad road wander thanks guys for all the ideas & suggestions. I plan to take a look at it as soon as I can find the time. One thing I noticed was the control arm bushing were making a lot of noise, so maybe there r some tired components. __________________ 1963 C10 swb fleetside 1966 GMC G1000 Handi-bus (future project) 1955 Chevy 2 dr. wagon

05-11-2016, 05:13 PM	#9
ptc Registered User Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Morada, CA --- (Near Lodi) Posts: 1,443	Re: 59 panel with camaro clip, bad road wander Sounds like the whole front end needs to be gone thru. Its a good investment. So many people do these swaps with junk yard parts but they never do the required maintenance on these 40-50 year old front end parts! The mileage on them doesn't really matter, they are still 40 YEARS OLD! lol Rubber doesnt last that long. Rebuild it then Align it. __________________ My Build: 57 Chevy Pro-Street



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