Thread: Need diagnostic help on SEVERE steering wheel shake

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I think that is an excellent question hotrodstude raises about how competently the front end might have been installed. Although building a rod has gotten easier in recent years because of all the kits out there, it still isn't a no brainer and the job can still be botched. We have all seen examples of poor workmanship, sometimes even done by "professional shops".

It's a little surprising to see this problem, which to me sounds like classic death wobble, evident in an independent front suspended car. I always associated that problem to the cars we straight axle guys owned. After all, some of the reasons guys install these MMII kits is to get better ride, handling, and none of the quirky steering issues the straight axle cars are blamed for having.

Since you bought a car that someone else built I think you need to go back to square one and make sure the axles are square to the frame, that the wheelbase is the same side to side, that the front suspension was installed in a proper manner, etc, etc. There are too many unknowns here and this problem could be the tip of the iceberg. Maybe time to get a GOOD rod shop to take a hard look at it and offer some opinions and solutions. Your local alignment shop is out of their element on a custom built car in most cases.

Don

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

I think that is an excellent question hotrodstude raises about how competently the front end might have been installed. Although building a rod has gotten easier in recent years because of all the kits out there, it still isn't a no brainer and the job can still be botched. We have all seen examples of poor workmanship, sometimes even done by "professional shops".

It's a little surprising to see this problem, which to me sounds like classic death wobble, evident in an independent front suspended car. I always associated that problem to the cars we straight axle guys owned. After all, some of the reasons guys install these MMII kits is to get better ride, handling, and none of the quirky steering issues the straight axle cars are blamed for having.

Since you bought a car that someone else built I think you need to go back to square one and make sure the axles are square to the frame, that the wheelbase is the same side to side, that the front suspension was installed in a proper manner, etc, etc. There are too many unknowns here and this problem could be the tip of the iceberg. Maybe time to get a GOOD rod shop to take a hard look at it and offer some opinions and solutions. Your local alignment shop is out of their element on a custom built car in most cases.

Don

All good points, if the trip to Weber doesn't solve it, I'll see if I can find a respected shop in the area. Only one I know of in this area is "Rick's Rods" in West Palm Beach, but have heard mixed reviews.

Could you have switched these from side to side? Without strut rods it would be easier to mix up.

Originally Posted by sfort

Could you have switched these from side to side? Without strut rods it would be easier to mix up.

Don't believe so ... but worth checking. Someone also suggested reversing the tie rods as a possible solution...

Bart