Charliebates

I took my C3 in for the out of province inspection and I need to correct the "wandering"
Since it has less than 15,000 miles & nothing is worn or loose.

I read this to correct wandering
"The single best handling improvement on my 82 was to install new steering cylinder assist bushings on the rod end to frame bracket."

I would appreciate any advice about wandering correction or this "new steering assist bushing"

Thx again, John

whitehause

Does it have new tires or 82 tires? Those old tires will wander all over.

U17

Replacing the trailing arm bushings stopped mine from doing that...

Charliebates

Has the orginal 1982 tires.

Charliebates

Will do a read on the trailing arm bushings.
Thx

Brcmpbl

Maybe the bushings. Only other thing I can think of is differential side yokes.

whitehause

Ok....first off, replace those tires!
Your running 31 year old tires that are bound to have flat spots and weak side walls. If you think small 31 year old rubber bushings with 15,000 miles might be the cause, imagine how much large 31 year old rubber tires (probably bias ply) are flexing.

You should replace them anyway, and you might be very surprised at how much wandering will go away.

Charliebates

Thx for that Whitehause. My 86 year old Dad keeps telling me the same,...LOL
I do realise the issues with 31 year old rubber and will replace, but it means a lot to me to introduce the car w the original tires.

This really takes me back! They are Uniroyal,Tiger Paw 225/75R15 steel belted radials with the Royal Seal and crown image in the 1-1/2" white walls. All measure 8mm of tread at the inspection,...Unbelievable.

I'm going to need a lot of advice to get this car to where I want it. I'll check out all the suggested fixes and will keep u posted.

I'm away for 10 days but have computer access.

Thx for all the suggestions guys.
Much appreciated,...John

Aussie79

I rebuilt the entire front and rear suspension on mine including new rear spindles and that helped a lot, I then rebuilt all of my steering, every piece was re-furbished or replaced, that helped some more but you know what helped the most? just recently I replaced my rag joint and I now have tight steering, the best it has ever been after 16 years of ownership, I should have done this first. BTW, a horrible job, takes quite a few beers and swearing to get the job done.

Shark Racer

1982 OEM tires would have been steel-belted radial.

Regardless, a 31 year old tire is going to be scary. I just looked at the 10 year old tires on my 78 and found some cracking where the tread blocks meet the sidewall...

New tires on the way...

roscobbc

Rubber is way, way past its sell-by date! - ten years is pushing it - less if car stands outside in open air - lucky to still be alive buddy. Some weeks ago in Europe and coach with perfectly legal but 'old' rubber had a major blowout as a result - several people died as a result!

DC3

Get a second set of tires and wheels for driving and keep the originals just for show. Until then you are risking a blowout every time you drive the car. Be safe 1st.

DC

gcusmano74

Tire companies say a tire is safe for six years.
My DD is a 1996 Ford Crown Vic. This spring, I was going to check the tire pressure in the origional (16 year old) spare tire. I was flabbergasted to find it had exploded in the trunk. The treads and casing looked like shredded wheat.
A 31(!) year old tire is not to be relied upon.

RDCRIS

You will NOT like the outcome should one of those tires comes apart at speed. Buy new tires or get another set of wheels and new tires for them and store the original ones for special events. Like a trailer show.

Just my .02