Classic/Antique Car Repair/63 Chevy Impala

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Expert: - 7/12/2009


Question
I have restored a 63 Chevy Impala, 283 motor, automatic, no a/c.  New front end suspension installed, and front end alignment was done recently. Now, when I drive the car and make a right or left turn, my steering wheel does not come back, you have to manually, after the turn, turn the steering back to center. I replaced the whole saginaw power steering system. No leaks. Wheel turns easily, except after a right or left turn.

Answer
If the problem is only when the car is moving I would lean more to the caster and toe in settings than to the power steering problems. I would want to see the caster settings as close to 1 degree + as I could get them as it is caster that creates the self center action of the steering. The newer cars run upwards of +5 degrees of caster. If the toe in is set a little too much outside of specifications it too can cause the steering wanting to stay off center. Also radial tires which were not standard on this car require a bit more caster to get the self centering steering working. Radials tend to want to stay in the direction that they are pointed in.
Brad

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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