Nervous Steering.

Roberts1996 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-03-2013, 12:11 PM

I would like information pertaining to alignment on my EM Cobra. I started my Cobra in '96 and completed in '05. I have 15K miles on the clock and my BFG's 245/60/15's are wearing great. My alignment spec's are Camber is set at 0. Caster is set at 3 degrees and Toe-in is at 1/8". These were the spec's I got from EM when they were in Tampa. The steering is "nervous", kinda darty and would like some advice on how to possibly correct this nervousness. I am running with Tubular A-arms, Aldan Coil-overs and a manual Mustang II rack. I replaced both the front and rear rubber bushings with Poly, and adjusted the wheel bearings. My power plant is a 351 Cleveland and total weight is 2780. Any advice to correct the nervous steering? Thanx, Robert.

Ralphy · #2 (**permalink**) 08-03-2013, 04:36 PM

Have you verified your front suspension numbers? What type of rear suspension do you have?

Ralphy

Ralphy · #3 (**permalink**) 08-03-2013, 04:55 PM

Okay I've looked thru some other boards. Seems 5 to 7 degree caster is the norm for non power steering cars.

mustang 2 caster camber - THE H.A.M.B.
Mustang II suspension
caster?camber settings - Hot Rod Forum : Hotrodders Bulletin Board

Also, welcome aboard!

Ralphy

Tommy · #4 (**permalink**) 08-03-2013, 06:37 PM

In simple terms, as the caster angle increases the front wheels tend to line up more with the direction the car is traveling. This makes the car want to go straight. This is good for cruising in a straight line. It is not so good when you want to turn. Decreasing the caster angle makes it easier to turn the front wheels for things like parallel parking and autocrossing. The correct caster angle is the one that fits the way you drive. If you want your car to have a little more resistance to turning and it's not too hard to turn when going slowly, increase the caster some and see how you like it.

Barnsnake · #5 (**permalink**) 08-03-2013, 09:48 PM

Have the alignment settings been checked recently?

You may want to try reducing the toe to near zero (maybe 1/32 toe-in) and see if it addresses your problem. With a light car and big tires, when the tires are aimed at different points it can be darty when one or the other tire "wins the directional argument".
4-4.5 degrees caster is a good starting point.

On a car as light as a Cobra and with the hardness of the T/As, your tires probably wouldn't show wear if your toe was at 1".