1958 buick wagon goes from one side of the road to the other?

[brutee]

As I am redoing my charging system .I want to tell you about my test drive in my 56 buick wagon after replacing the motor and transmission . She ran good and shifted great , but went from one side of the road, go straight then go to the other side of the road .I jacked up the front end under the tires and shook the tires . Everything felt tight . It has about some 20 grease fittings and they all still took grease . I wonder if I should start with the center steering link ? They only sell a rebuilt kit for that year, maybe I should rebuild the front end after 20years of poor storage? . Any input and answers would be welcomed . Thanks in advance. Bruce.

[brutee]

Any help would be welcome. Thanks . Bruce.

[TexasJohn55]

Bruce,

Try this. Jack up one front wheel at a time. Push and pull at the top and bottom to check the kingpins. Push and pull alternately at the front and rear of the tire to check steering slack. You may need a helper to do the latter while you lay underneath and watch to see where the movement is. Do both sides. Also inspect the swing arm bushings.

[brutee]

John, I tried that and it felt tight . I will try it again with a helper and recheck it. Swing arm bushings? Is that in the front end or is that the bars that run to the rear end?Thanks Bruce.

[raycow]

Bruce, put your jack under the lower control arm on each side. this will take the spring load off the outer control arm bushings and make it easier to see or feel any looseness.

Ray

[raycow]

Bruce, the only bushings in the rear suspension are for the panhard bar. if you have a rear anti-sway bar it will have bushings, but if those are bad they will just make noise. They won't cause a feeling of looseness.

Ray

[brutee]

Ok Ray so what are the swing arm bushings you were talking about?Thanks Bruce

[raycow]

Bruce, that wasn't me talking about swing arm bushings, because a stock 56 Buick doesn't have any swing arms. Besides, I can't think of any parts on the rear suspension that might even wrongly be called swing arms either.

Ray

[telriv]

Worn panhard bar bushings in the rear will cause what you are talking about also. It connects from the frame of the car to the rear axle. Does your car have P/S??? The center link has an adjustment on it that can cause MUCH play if they are out of adjustment. Remove the cotter pin & tighten the adjustment till it won't go any more then back off 1 1/2 -2 turns. There is one on each side.


Tom T.

[brutee]

John, what the heck are the swing arm bushings?


Thanks Bruce.