[Healeys] Steering Jiggle on and off throttle resolved

[JONAS PAYNE]

Thank you to everybody who provided advise.

Got it up in the air on Friday and saw evidence that the driver side spring/shackle locating pin/bolt had sheared and that the bottom leaf of the spring was sliding back and forth.  Not sure how I missed this on previous inspection,  it was pretty obvious.

Got the spring out today, locating pin/bolt had sheared  and fallen out, top part was about 1/2" long and remained in place by gravity.   All of the leafs were kind of moving fore and aft and side to side independently of one another.

Fabricated a new pin/bolt using a grade 5 bolt and the welder/bench grinder, put it back together and the test drive was a resounding success.

Jonas
________________________________
From: Healeys <healeys-bounces at autox.team.net> on behalf of Michael Salter <michaelsalter at gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, August 15, 2024 10:16 AM
To: Bob Spidell <bspidell at comcast.net>
Cc: healeys at autox.team.net <healeys at autox.team.net>
Subject: Re: [Healeys] Steering Jiggle on and off throttle

I agree with all that Bob has said however I would add that rear wheel drive cars can exhibit a type of "torque steer" when the spring center bolt head is not correctly engaged in the hole in the spring mount plate of the rear axle.
I realize that the subject vehicle is a BJ8 so the following comment is really directed at BN1 owners and is not applicable in this case however, the head of the center bolt of the currently available 100 rear springs is not long enough to protrude through the axle alignment wedge and engage in the axle locating hole in the spring mounting plate of the rear axle. This can, particularly if the spring "U" bolts have loosened off, result in the axle sliding back under heavy braking with disastrous consequences.

M


On Thu., Aug. 15, 2024, 9:41 a.m. Bob Spidell via Healeys, <healeys at autox.team.net<mailto:healeys at autox.team.net>> wrote:
No one's tackled this yet, so I'll take a stab. This sounds a little bit like 'torque steer' that some FWD cars have (though it's been largely eliminated in newer FWD cars). Healeys, of course, are RWD so it's not that, and I've not experienced nor heard of this problem in a Healey. The front suspension isn't linked to the drive train in any way, so I'd check engine mounts; it's conceivable, but not likely the rocking of the engine could cause it to hit the steering column (the carbs are pretty close to it). If the chassis is somehow tweaked it might cause some tracking issues, though it would likely be under all conditions. Presumably, you've checked to assure the steering box is properly anchored?

That's all I got.

Bob

On 8/14/2024 7:45 PM, JONAS PAYNE wrote:
I have an early BJ8 that has been thoroughly gone through.  Pretty much new everything.  Recently I have experienced a jiggle/pull in steering when getting on and off throttle, admittedly with a heavy right foot.   Doesn't necessarily pull to one side or the other, just jiggles a moment.  It's an on/off throttle thing, doesn't do it when braking.

I've checked the rear - everything seems tight, and all bushings have been replaced.  motor mounts are good, transmission tension rod/bushings are good.  little or no play in the front end, all new there too.    Front end alignment appears to be good.  Steering box is properly adjusted and has normal "play" for a cam and peg box as with my TR3's and Morgan + 4's.

  It isn't dangerous, but it doesn't feel right.  That said, for all I know, it's part of the "vintage healey experience".  I have 5 other vintage british sports cars and each has their own issues that are part of their charm.

Would appreciate anybody's experiences thoughts.

Jonas





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