23 T Altered Front Wheel Death Wobble

[Defiance]

Just changed my Altered steering from a rack and pinion to a Strange Altered box and Mark Williams steering setup kit.  The car is a 116 inch wheel base with 10 degrees caster, zero camber and 1/8 toe.  Took the car to the track and immediately had a violant front wheel wobble.  Never had it with the rack.  Any thoughts on where to look for the problem?

[GlennLever]

Just changed my Altered steering from a rack and pinion to a Strange Altered box and Mark Williams steering setup kit.  The car is a 116 inch wheel base with 10 degrees caster, zero camber and 1/8 toe.  Took the car to the track and immediately had a violant front wheel wobble.  Never had it with the rack.  Any thoughts on where to look for the problem?

See if you can contact http://www.frontenginedragsters.org/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=262 Don a member here. He had the same problem. I did send him an e-mail to see if he could help you.

[Defiance]

Thanks for the POC. I will contact him and see if he can assist.

[Van]

With only 10 in the kingpin, I would run 1/4 toe & use a Honda MC steering damper.

[dreracecar]

going foward or backing up??

[Defiance]

Going forward.

[PSweeney]

had this on an altered,  it was in my view a culmination of play in the whole steering assembley, exaggerated in my case by fitting taller rear tires and losing some castor.  Kingpin bushes had some play, rods ends were old, and steering box had some play too.  It all gets magnified back at the wheel, i used to get it coming out of a rolling burnout (off the pedal)

There is a technical description as to why it happens and it's related to the gyroscopic effect a spnning wheel has but I've not delved into that too much.  A damper does mask the problem, but make sure all steering components are as they should be, and the wheels / tires are balanced up and pressures evenly matched. 

[BK]

Can I ask why you switched from a rack to a box. 

[Defiance]

Had two issues.  Too many joints in the steering shaft causing excessive play.  Secondly, the rack would always oversteer when I made a correction. 

[BK]

Thanks. I bought a Spitzer Altered with a rack in it. It does have a lot of joints but didn't feel loose. Hopefully it feels ok when I get it running.

[Defiance]

Thanks for everybod's input.  In particular, thanks to S&W Racing.  We spent a lot of their time discussing this issue.  Their input and willingness to help goes above and beyond.  A top notch, truly professional orgonization.  Bottom line, is we discovered our pitman arm was too long.  Secondly, we added a steering stabilizer and moved the location of the steering box.  Although we have not done a test and tune, I will make a few passes this weekend before Coastal Plains has their big race.  Ill keep everybody posted on the results.  Again, thank you.

[Rodchucker]

Thanks. I bought a Spitzer Altered with a rack in it. It does have a lot of joints but didn't feel loose. Hopefully it feels ok when I get it running.

U should be OK.
My Spitzer has s rack, with multiple uni joints and it has gone into the 7.20's @ over 180mph.
Steers real nice.

[BK]

Thanks. I bought a Spitzer Altered with a rack in it. It does have a lot of joints but didn't feel loose. Hopefully it feels ok when I get it running.

U should be OK.
My Spitzer has s rack, with multiple uni joints and it has gone into the 7.20's @ over 180mph.
Steers real nice.

Can I ask what your car has for a steering wheel? Mine has a D shaped wheel. I haven't been down the track yet but it feels like it's going to steer too quick.

[Defiance]

It also has a small D shaped wheel.

[Defiance]

Not so good news. Was getting the car ready for T&T.  Lost oil pressure.  Checked the oil and found metal.  Looks like ill be missing a few races.  Update will have to come later.