Weird steering condition in the snow/slush

[Zoro]

Just took my '84 wagon out for a ride in the snow for the first time with the new suspension. I've replaced the CV shafts, shocks, springs, bushings, ball joints and one of the front wheel bearings. Also just had a wheel alignment done after everything was installed.

The issue I'm having is on snowy, slushy roads the Eagle wants to dart off in every single diverging tire track. Best way to describe it would be like driving at the beach or sand dunes across other tire tracks at a shallow angle. It's always done this the entire time I've owned the car but the new parts definitely made it better, it's nowhere near as bad as it was before. Running in 2WD lessens the effect.

Anyone have any ideas as to what I can do to fix this problem?

[AMC of Houston]

A couple things come to mind:

1. Check the steering stabilizer shock and see if its still "stabilizing" (i.e.; the dampening "drag" still feels like a new shock absorber).

2. What's the caster setting??   Maybe the alignment shop got it too far negative (or not positive enough).

[Zoro]

A couple things come to mind:

1. Check the steering stabilizer shock and see if its still "stabilizing" (i.e.; the dampening "drag" still feels like a new shock absorber).

2. What's the caster setting??   Maybe the alignment shop got it too far negative (or not positive enough).

Will do. I've got the print-out in the car and will post the #'s up tomorrow.

[Zoro]

Here's the #'s

Left Front:
0.3* Camber
2.1* Caster
0.14*Toe

Right Front:
0.4*Camber
2.2*Caster
0.11*Toe

Front:
0.25" Total Toe
0.01* Steer Ahead

[Zoro]

Went back and had them realign it today. For some reason it was way off and I've barely driven it.

LF:
Camber -0.4*
Caster 0.9*
Toe 3.22*

RF
Camber 0.0
Caster 2.4*
Toe 0.26*

Total toe 3.48*
Steer ahead 1.48*

Final #'s after readjustment

LF
Camber 0.4*
Caster 2.5*
Toe 0.14*

RF
Camber 0.3*
Caster 2.5*
Toe 0.12*

Total toe 0.26*
Steer ahead 0.01*

They said everything was tight and looked good with nothing worn out(as it should be due the the suspension being brand new) and they have no clue what's up.

Any ideas what could throw the alignment off that fast?

[AMC of Houston]

Well, looking at your before/after/after/after stats, I'd say the left camber adjustment "slipped" after your first alignment.   Maybe they didn't tighten the eccentric bolt to spec.     Or it moved while they tightened it and they didn't notice.   You may want to torque the eccentric bolts just in case.   

Btw; did you replace the steering damper when you rebuilt the suspension??    If not; Rock Auto has a good closeout deal on them (I just bought a couple).

[Zoro]

Well, looking at your before/after/after/after stats, I'd say the left camber adjustment "slipped" after your first alignment.   Maybe they didn't tighten the eccentric bolt to spec.     Or it moved while they tightened it and they didn't notice.   You may want to torque the eccentric bolts just in case.   

Btw; did you replace the steering damper when you rebuilt the suspension??    If not; Rock Auto has a good closeout deal on them (I just bought a couple).

$11, that ain't a bad deal for a damper!

Didn't replace that yet. I'd like to put an OME stabilizer in there but they ain't cheap.

[carnuck]

Sway bar bushings and idler arm did that to mine.

[casper]

anytime you go thru slushy stuff, you will get pull. your tires will make a HUGE difference in it also. stabilizer will slow the steering wheel itself from turning, but the pulling is due to the drag of the slush/tires. i live in this kind of environment almost 1/2 of the year. dealt with this all my life. you will have the car pull you in different directions as the track width isnt the same front/rear on our cars. fronts are wider than the rear. if your alignment is good, sounds like your steering/suspension parts are all new, its your tires and the conditions. when you drive thru anything that the tires can follow, you will get them to want to follow the tracks. no possible way of solving that other than slowing down.

[Zoro]

Turned out to be the alignment. It was so bad the car felt like it was out of control at slow speeds on anything slick and that was AFTER Sears did the alignment. Had them go back and do it again and the car drives better than it ever has the entire time I've owned it. I don't know what happened the first time they did it but even the steering wheel was 45* off and it was nice and even when I brought it in. Don't know why folks have no clue when it comes to doing alignments on these cars.

[vangremlin]

Glad you were able to get the problem cleared up!