by rev.chuck Sat Jul 24, 2010 10:07 pmhelp? the roads here suck van drives like its been drinking anything i can do to remedy it?
5 posters
friggin bump steer
rev.chuck- Number of posts : 71
Location : st louis
Registration date : 2010-03-08
SDEconoTruck- Number of posts : 310
Location : San Diego, California
Registration date : 2010-05-26
Hi Rev.Chuck,
Is the Van lowered or modified suspension-wise?
George
Is the Van lowered or modified suspension-wise?
George
rev.chuck- Number of posts : 71
Location : st louis
Registration date : 2010-03-08
not that i can tell here is a pic it does have a v8 in it though it handles bad i still enjoy driving it but man ive never driven anything that handles worse and im a lowrider by origin
donivan65- Governor
- Number of posts : 12220
Location : San Diego, California
Registration date : 2008-05-12
So how much play is in the steering wheel when you rock it up and back with your finger?
rev.chuck- Number of posts : 71
Location : st louis
Registration date : 2010-03-08
not alot down the new interstate it runs smooth but on the older patch job roads every bump trys to kill me
rev.chuck- Number of posts : 71
Location : st louis
Registration date : 2010-03-08
eventually im going to mII the damn thing and be done with it. i recently did my 50 chevy mII and it was simple the van shouldnt be bad but for now im trying to enjoy the van and dont wish to die anytime soon.....
SDEconoTruck- Number of posts : 310
Location : San Diego, California
Registration date : 2010-05-26
I recently re-did all the suspension bushings, the ones in the leaf spring eyes, and the ones going from the shackles to the "chassis."
I can tell you for sure that it made a huge difference. Like you, before
I thought my Econo was trying to commit suicide, but now the Lil' Guy
goes straight as an arrow over our lumpiest.
Steering linkage could be loose, like the drag link, also the tie rods. Common
sense says that. Anything that makes the axle move relative to the
steering wheel, which includes the bushings if you think about it...
I can tell you for sure that it made a huge difference. Like you, before
I thought my Econo was trying to commit suicide, but now the Lil' Guy
goes straight as an arrow over our lumpiest.
Steering linkage could be loose, like the drag link, also the tie rods. Common
sense says that. Anything that makes the axle move relative to the
steering wheel, which includes the bushings if you think about it...
sasktrini- Number of posts : 2067
Location : Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Registration date : 2008-05-20
If there is slop in the steering gear, you can tighten it up. I improved my bumpsteer by replacing my drag link... it was really sloppy. If it isn't the cause of any slop, then the gear itself can be adjusted. Never done it personally.
rev.chuck- Number of posts : 71
Location : st louis
Registration date : 2010-03-08
what did that cost you? everything seems tight really never though about the spring bushings though i know the passenger side shock is pretty bad but man
sasktrini- Number of posts : 2067
Location : Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Registration date : 2008-05-20
Mine came off a donor van. Drag link is the biggest culprit, but you would notice lots of slack in the steering if that was it... mine had probably 60 degrees before it would engage the linkage in the opposite direction. Was like driving a big truck!
rev.chuck- Number of posts : 71
Location : st louis
Registration date : 2010-03-08
yeah i dont have any more then the normal slop someone at one point installed a little grant steering wheel i HAD the original but cant find it all thats left now is the horn ring
anyone wanna buy it? lol like i said its fine on the nice new highway but the regular roads i have to fight it over passes are tricky too
anyone wanna buy it? lol like i said its fine on the nice new highway but the regular roads i have to fight it over passes are tricky too
SDEconoTruck- Number of posts : 310
Location : San Diego, California
Registration date : 2010-05-26
Agreed the steering linkage will act up like that and the slop is the giveaway.
You can check your bushings, they may have been done, but just take the side of a shackle off and you'll know. Also you can push your van side-to-side and it will seem gushy, which can be suspension free
play.
Here's a link how to do it:
https://vintage-vans.forumotion.com/this-is-how-it-s-done-f19/suspension-bushings-for-my-econo-pickup-t13825.htm
The guy in Michigan sells the entire set but you got to tell him your year.
Yours look to be a '65.
You can check your bushings, they may have been done, but just take the side of a shackle off and you'll know. Also you can push your van side-to-side and it will seem gushy, which can be suspension free
play.
Here's a link how to do it:
https://vintage-vans.forumotion.com/this-is-how-it-s-done-f19/suspension-bushings-for-my-econo-pickup-t13825.htm
The guy in Michigan sells the entire set but you got to tell him your year.
Yours look to be a '65.
SDEconoTruck- Number of posts : 310
Location : San Diego, California
Registration date : 2010-05-26
Oh yeah, if you have one bad shock it can make for weird steering
on bumps. Even a loose shock mount can do it...
on bumps. Even a loose shock mount can do it...
sasktrini- Number of posts : 2067
Location : Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Registration date : 2008-05-20
I had to cut one of those off mine and install a factory steering wheel, but I think my biceps grew a couple inches trying to steer with that little wheel! Get a stock wheel.
I'd love to get my hands on a horn ring! Would cost too much to ship it from there, I fear.
I'd love to get my hands on a horn ring! Would cost too much to ship it from there, I fear.
rev.chuck- Number of posts : 71
Location : st louis
Registration date : 2010-03-08
ive got one in farely good shape ill take pictures of it if you like could probably do one of them flat rate boxes.
as for the wheel its not so bad really ive had alot of none power steering cars with tiny wheels
as for the wheel its not so bad really ive had alot of none power steering cars with tiny wheels
rev.chuck- Number of posts : 71
Location : st louis
Registration date : 2010-03-08
sasktrini- Number of posts : 2067
Location : Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Registration date : 2008-05-20
A Falcon horn ring! If your van is a Falcon, there is no way I'd install an aftermarket wheel in there... Falcon trim is rare. You can't part with that.
rev.chuck- Number of posts : 71
Location : st louis
Registration date : 2010-03-08
my vans a falcon i have all but one piece of trim too that big flat piece passenger side rear panel that goes between the stainless. this beast has been through alot though so the original horn ring doesnt mean alot to me
it has a chevy v8 in it just for an example
it has a chevy v8 in it just for an example
sasktrini- Number of posts : 2067
Location : Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Registration date : 2008-05-20
roflmao 
rev.chuck- Number of posts : 71
Location : st louis
Registration date : 2010-03-08
im a chevy guy so i like it the way it is not that it wouldnt be cool stock. i tore a 1980 pinto apart for the front end for my 50 and if i had known id be getting my van back i would have saved the 4 cylinder for it but i didnt .......
the burnouts are unbelievable
the burnouts are unbelievable
donivan65- Governor
- Number of posts : 12220
Location : San Diego, California
Registration date : 2008-05-12
You need to get the alignment checked,,,,,,it will never drive right if the camber, caster or toe in are not correct,,,,,,and they will also check the ball joints, king pins and bushings. Do the tires seem like they are wearing normal?
rev.chuck- Number of posts : 71
Location : st louis
Registration date : 2010-03-08
tire wear seems fine it drives straight on a nicely paved road its the bumps it dont like
EconoUSAparts- Number of posts : 2198
Location : Ft Thomas,Ky
Registration date : 2008-05-17
rev.chuck wrote:tire wear seems fine it drives straight on a nicely paved road its the bumps it dont like
Check the shocks,shackles, and springs bushings in addition to the things Don mentioned. Theres a lot of things that affect handling and bump steer issues.
rev.chuck- Number of posts : 71
Location : st louis
Registration date : 2010-03-08
aside from the shocks i cant find anything really wrong with it steering and such seems to be tight
