Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (January 2011, week 1)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Wed, 5 Jan 2011 22:42:44 EST
Reply-To:     Dvdclarksn@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Clarkson <Dvdclarksn@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: FW: Steering Question
Comments: To: wolzphoto@Q.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Tire problems in the extreme will often present themselves as a "snake walk" as my techs refer to it, at parking lot speeds. Around 3-5 MPH you let go of the wheel and see it move lightly left/right-"snake walk". Tire rotation when a lift is available is a good place to start. Left to right and front to rear secondarily should help narrow it down. Pay close attention to any wear patterns that you may have in your tires. Run your hand along the outer perimeter surface of the tire to check for flat spots, cupping, feathering, wear bars or diagonal blocking patterns. Each can mean something slightly different. Tires are your cars "tea leaves". Of course one of my techs once said to me,"Properly inflate then properly negate". A good tire person can tell a lot about driving habits, maintenance and a lot of what you think about your vehicle from a close inspection of the tires. Shoes make the man but tires make the van-ha ha. No substitute IMHO for the simple laying on of hands where tires are concerned. I often point customers to tirerack.com for the quick education on all things tires. Required vanagon content: I need to check my tires for wear after a few minor issues with the R/R of the control arm bushings and camber issues on one front tire. Methinks me might have mangled the control arm a bit pressing the bushing back in and threw it off. #19 or so on the project list.

David Clarkson 90 Westy (religiously ran Michelins but very happy with the set of 15" Coopers on my ride now)

In a message dated 1/5/2011 2:35:57 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, wolzphoto@Q.COM writes:

|First suspect is always tires or the last thing you replaced (in this case, |tires). Check inflation; if the same, rotate tires left to right. If the |problem reverses itself, it's a tire issue. If the problem stays the same, |it's most likely front end component wear or alignment. A good front end |shop will tell you which. | |Karl Wolz | ||-----Original Message----- ||From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of ||Jim Johnston ||Sent: Wednesday, January 05, 2011 10:33 AM ||To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM ||Subject: Steering Question || ||Hello all, || ||I have a 1991 GL, Manual with a Subie 2.2. In August 2010, I upgraded to ||16 ||inch Gowesty Steel Rims. A few weeks ago I replaced worn upper ball |joints ||and put on new shocks all around. The lower ball joints looked ok, the |tie ||rod ends looked a bit worn. || ||Last week I noticed, when driving straight, my steering wheel is off ||slightly, whereas it I have to keep it slightly turned to the left (maybe ||an ||inch, if that) to keep things straight. My first thought is alignment, |but ||before I take it to a shop and drop some cash, I'd consult the list for ||other possible issues. || ||Worn tie rods ends? Worn upper bushings? Steering Rack? All of the ||above...? || ||Any input would be appreciated. || ||Jim ||Wilmington, NC


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.