Help me figure out what happened to my steering...
08-14-2006, 09:01 AM
#1
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Help me figure out what happened to my steering... I was at the track for the 3rd time last weekend with my 427 Firebird... Have a look at this in car video of one of my passes... notice how the steering wheel is centered correctly... after the car launched at the wheels came down, the steering was thrown off... the track was not that great which made for an even wilder ride! This pass was with a 150HO shot, I wanted to try a 250HP hit for the 1st time on Sunday, but there where some funny sounds coming from my tranny after I did my burnout and was staging... it looks like 35 passes in the 10.6-9.6 range might have taken it's toll on my overdrive tranny 
http://s97997631.onlinehome.us/temp/...2th%202006.wmv
http://s97997631.onlinehome.us/temp/...2th%202006.wmv
08-14-2006, 09:42 AM
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Originally Posted by Thunder175
Just curious, but what front end suspension mods do you have??
08-14-2006, 05:19 PM
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Originally Posted by TXCAMSS
I would bet $100.00 that your aluminum hub that came with the Grant kit is slipping on the GM factory spline. Either it's not torqued down right or you got the wrong install kit. The stock wheel hub that's built in is steel and the alumiumum will give if it's not Damn tight or JB welded.
That's just my opinion, but there's nothing else that will allow that to happen. Put the stocker back on and test my theory. If that's the case order another kit and torque it after installing it with a good impact gun.
Keep us updated. You don't want to steering ability in with that bad boy. Nice video !
That's just my opinion, but there's nothing else that will allow that to happen. Put the stocker back on and test my theory. If that's the case order another kit and torque it after installing it with a good impact gun.
Keep us updated. You don't want to steering ability in with that bad boy. Nice video !
08-14-2006, 07:49 PM
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dang, nice pass btw 
i just got back from getting mine aligned, it was off a little but not TOO bad. i set my pinion angle at -2*, it was at like +3*...... how bad will/could/did that hurt performance/et's?
the only thing that i can think of that would do something like that would be some of the front controll arm bolts were not as tight as they should have been and moved when the tires sat back down. look at the k-member and see if you can see what i'm talking about. other than that i don't have a clue.
i just got back from getting mine aligned, it was off a little but not TOO bad. i set my pinion angle at -2*, it was at like +3*...... how bad will/could/did that hurt performance/et's?
the only thing that i can think of that would do something like that would be some of the front controll arm bolts were not as tight as they should have been and moved when the tires sat back down. look at the k-member and see if you can see what i'm talking about. other than that i don't have a clue.
08-14-2006, 07:55 PM
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Mine car did the same thing I still haven't figured out why. My steering wheel was perfectly straight and after some wheelies it is now off a tad. I've looked and looked and see nothing and everything is tight. Let us know what you find. I have the stock steering wheel,madman rack,bmr k-member, and control arms.
08-14-2006, 08:02 PM
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i still think its just the impact knocking everything around a little/lot sometimes. after a solid year of pulling the LF about 1-2" up mine was turned to the left but still went straight and didn't pull going down the highway.
i would reccomend getting the "hook up" on a "lifetime" alignment, just know who is doing it and how they are doing it. i worked at one of the local firestone's this summer and i got mine done today, it cost me 129.99+tax but i never have to pay for another one again and i set the pinion angle, got the 28's centered, rearend toe straight (adj. lca's) and its as close as it could be.
i would reccomend getting the "hook up" on a "lifetime" alignment, just know who is doing it and how they are doing it. i worked at one of the local firestone's this summer and i got mine done today, it cost me 129.99+tax but i never have to pay for another one again and i set the pinion angle, got the 28's centered, rearend toe straight (adj. lca's) and its as close as it could be.
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08-14-2006, 08:29 PM
#8
If you get the alignment checked and its OK make sure and check the rear end thrust angle and make sure both your rear tires are the same diameter.
If you have front lower A arms with the poly stock type bushings good luck getting it to stay in alignment unless you tack weld the adjuster on the front. The rod end ones dont seem to move but both cars I had the lower arms with the poly bushings wouldnt stay put until I put a little tack weld on the washers - thats why I have stock lower A arms on this car - 200 passes and still perfect
If you have front lower A arms with the poly stock type bushings good luck getting it to stay in alignment unless you tack weld the adjuster on the front. The rod end ones dont seem to move but both cars I had the lower arms with the poly bushings wouldnt stay put until I put a little tack weld on the washers - thats why I have stock lower A arms on this car - 200 passes and still perfect
08-14-2006, 08:39 PM
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Originally Posted by kp
If you get the alignment checked and its OK make sure and check the rear end thrust angle and make sure both your rear tires are the same diameter.
If you have front lower A arms with the poly stock type bushings good luck getting it to stay in alignment unless you tack weld the adjuster on the front. The rod end ones dont seem to move but both cars I had the lower arms with the poly bushings wouldnt stay put until I put a little tack weld on the washers - thats why I have stock lower A arms on this car - 200 passes and still perfect
If you have front lower A arms with the poly stock type bushings good luck getting it to stay in alignment unless you tack weld the adjuster on the front. The rod end ones dont seem to move but both cars I had the lower arms with the poly bushings wouldnt stay put until I put a little tack weld on the washers - thats why I have stock lower A arms on this car - 200 passes and still perfect
08-14-2006, 09:38 PM
#10
Originally Posted by vmax1500
I think we will be tack welding as well... I am pretty sure the alignment went out of wack... all the wheels up launches with a 3400lbs race weight takes it's toll... I don't want to have to worry about this as I going down the track at close to 150MPH
08-23-2006, 01:43 PM
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So it looks like we figured out what happened... the threads on the billet tie rod adjuster that came with Madman rack got stripped... I am not really sure why or how it happened... I spoke to Madman today and they are overnighting me a pair of them for $113 so I will be ready for the big race this weekend!
I will feel much better with the steering being straight going down the track at close to 150MPH... I am planning on upping the jets from 150HP to 250HP for the 1st time and have pulled 100lbs out of the car so it should be interesting!
Stay tuned for results and videos
Thanks to the Madman & Thunder Racing for rushing me out the parts overnight!
I will feel much better with the steering being straight going down the track at close to 150MPH... I am planning on upping the jets from 150HP to 250HP for the 1st time and have pulled 100lbs out of the car so it should be interesting!
Stay tuned for results and videos
Thanks to the Madman & Thunder Racing for rushing me out the parts overnight!
08-23-2006, 02:44 PM
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Originally Posted by MADMAN
Make sure you tighten the jam nuts on the adjuster. I also sent a updated piece.
What has been updated?
08-23-2006, 03:09 PM
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Originally Posted by kp
Glad you figured it out, good luck this weekend.
Does anyone want to guess what taking out 100lbs and adding 100HP will do to my car, ET & MPH wise? Two weekends ago I went 9.8@142 at the the same track as I am going to...
08-23-2006, 04:23 PM
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Originally Posted by vmax1500
Thanks... hopefully everything stays together
Does anyone want to guess what taking out 100lbs and adding 100HP will do to my car, ET & MPH wise? Two weekends ago I went 9.8@142 at the the same track as I am going to...
Does anyone want to guess what taking out 100lbs and adding 100HP will do to my car, ET & MPH wise? Two weekends ago I went 9.8@142 at the the same track as I am going to...
I'll say 9.40's to 9.50's.
Nate
08-27-2006, 09:54 PM
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We got to the track on Friday night but did not get a chance to get any runs in... On Saturday I got in 2 NA passes and 1 spray passes... the car did not like the colder nitrous plugs we installed in preparation for trying the 250HP shot I was planning on... so we put back the TR5's and the 150HP jets... I went 10.5 131MPH on my 1st motor passes and 10.4@130 on my 2nd pass... I got in 1 spray pass and went 9.70@143... here's video of that pass along with my slips... Mother Nature did not cooperate and the finals got rained out today...
http://s97997631.onlinehome.us/temp/...026%20970b.wmv
http://s97997631.onlinehome.us/temp/...026%20970b.wmv
08-27-2006, 10:37 PM
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Does your rack have the support welded to it? I had an early madman rack and it did not have it and my steering would also do that .It was the actual rack pulling out of the steering box. 
08-27-2006, 10:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Z8'S
Does your rack have the support welded to it? I had an early madman rack and it did not have it and my steering would also do that .It was the actual rack pulling out of the steering box.
