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Strange front end problem


Mac
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I need expert help trying to figure this one out. I put a tow bar on my '85 DL Sedan and have started towing it. It has new CVs, front end has been aligned and is tight. When being towed in a straight line, it's fine. And in a wide turn, it's fine. But when I take a hard turn while it's under tow, in the middle and coming out of the turn the front wheels start wobbling like crazy, like some 2-year-old is at the steering wheel thinking it's a "Busy Box." This problem doesn't occur when I'm driving it.

 

I've been towing my '85 GL SW with no problem in this regard. The only difference is that the Wagon has power steering, which isn't on when it's being towed. Some have told me the alignment guy messed up but he claims no. Another has said that because I have no power steering in the front end, the wheels are bouncing too much in the turn and that I'd have to put some kind of shock on the front end to prevent this.

 

Anyone else ever encounter this problem?

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I had that happen once when I was towing our Ranger (RIP) with the 34' RV. I went too fast, too sharp from a stop and bent the bar that I had attached to the bumper bracket that holds the tow bar. Not pretty.

 

I have towed my 89 Subie wagon a couple of times with the RV and haven't noticed the issue you describe.

 

Jay

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What are the odds it is because you don't have power steering.

 

Follow me on this:

#1 Even when the steering wheel is locked there is some movement.

#2 Power steering when not powered requires LOTS of force to move

#3 Non power steering moves very easy when at speed

 

So, I'm thinking that with a powersteering car that isn't powered the wheels are held in place much firmer, where as the car with out power steering isn't held firm due to the design? :eh:

 

Make sense to anyone but me? :banghead:

 

(PS. I love these new smilies :banana: )

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Tie rods on it are solid. I'll give that rack adjustment a shot and let you know. That 22 years towbar experience credential makes me optimistic! I would have thought that something like that would be adjusted when the alignment was done but apparently not ...

 

I'd been worried that the scenario RallyKeith posed was a serious possibility as to the reason.

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Well, took it to a front end specialist. Friend of a friend and supposedly knowledgeable.

 

It needs an inner tie rod (and the boot) on the passenger side, but I'm not sure what came first, the chicken or the egg? Did the bad tie rod cause the oscillations or did the oscillations cause the tie rod to fail? The first alignment guy said front end on the 'ru was tight and mentioned nothing about the tie rod being bad.

 

What do you mean by "adjust the rack?" Thanks for the assist.

 

Anyone with a good source on tie rods and boots that last chime in!

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What the heck is that?? Was calling getting quotes on the tie rods and they said there are two different tie rods for my vehicle -- constant gear ratio or variable gear ratio. Huh??? What are they and how do you tell the difference?

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