20 replies to this topic

[gruck62]

My 1983 Mayfair is quite frightening going around bends. The best description is like handling a bout in a rough sea !

At speeds under 40 MPH it seems OK.

I've checked the tyre pressures and they're ok

 

any suggestions would be welcome

Geoff

[stuart bowes]

I'll start with have you had the alignment checked and what were the readings

 

and what's the status of the suspension components, all original / recently replaced, etc 

 

there are plenty of other possibilities to work through I'm sure

Edited by stuart bowes, 21 May 2025 - 02:34 PM.

[nicklouse]

Stop driving it and get on stands and check for wear.

[68+86auto]

The first step is to carefully check for steering/suspension component wear. Once that it is good then you can get an alignment with a readout for a diagnosis.

Edited by 68+86auto, 21 May 2025 - 11:22 PM.

[Spider]

It sounds dangerous and to echo what the others have said, best stop driving it.

Might need a bit more information about what you are feeling when driving it.

[mbolt998]

Grab each of the wheels in turn, at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock and then at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock and try to wobble them. They should only wobble a bit, like a tiny bit. If that's all good then I would look at the dampers next.

[gruck62]

Hi.  So I've jacked up the car and there is no play in either the front or rear wheels.

The tyre pressures were low ( 25 ) so I've taken the up to 30 - I think that is OK for 10" wheels.

 

BUT it is still very wishy washy .  I think the next stage is to get the alignment checked.

 

Would you agree ?

[nicklouse]

28 front 26 rear.

 

and if there has been no alignment done then yes.

[imack]

Front subframe mounts OK?

[Ethel]

They can be lively with a loose damper, possibly if one is punching its way through a rotten wheel arch. Knuckle joints do similar when they go through the nylon cups, but not as bad.

[gruck62]

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

The shocks seem OK as far as I can tell.

 

What is the best way to check the front subframe mounts ?

[Mito]

Mine felt like driving bambi on ice when the suspension set up was off. 

 

After setting it up as per the guide on https://www.calverst...-set-up-method/ it has restored the go kart like handling.

 

I bought this kit to do the camber, castor , and front+rear wheel alignment and used the string method to align the front wheels with the back. You don't need this kit to do it but I found it worked well enough for me, though a little fiddly.

 

https://www.ebay.co....tm/323812926065

 

You have to calculate the castor using the readings on the camber gauge using this equation

 

Caster (deg) = (180 / 3.1415) * [(camber1 - camber2) / (turnangle1 - turnangle2)]
turn angle 20 degrees each way = 1.43 x camber diff (commonly rounded up to 1.5)
turn angle 15 degrees each way = 1.91 x camber diff (commonly rounded up to 2.0)

 

(taken from https://www.mig-weld...at-home.119741/)

 

Obviously it is only worth completing the above if the suspension components are in good nick as per the other advice.

 

Or take it to a garage...:)

Edited by Mito, 26 May 2025 - 08:37 PM.

[sonikk4]

Check your radius arms for worn bearings / pins, this will give a very weird sensation espeically when cornering.

[Cooperman]

My suggestion is to check the rear suspension. The critical things for the rear are the very necessary toe-in and zero to 0.5 degrees negative camber. In road holding and handling terms the rear settings are more critical than the front.
There is lots on here about checking and sorting this and it’s not difficult.

Edited by Cooperman, 29 May 2025 - 12:46 PM.

[Spider]

Check your radius arms for worn bearings / pins, this will give a very weird sensation espeically when cornering.

 

Steering from both ends !