[Healeys] Steering Jiggle on and off throttle resolved

Sun Aug 18 14:23:50 MDT 2024

Nice outcome!  Glad you found the problem.

From: Healeys <healeys-bounces at autox.team.net> On Behalf Of JONAS PAYNE
Sent: Sunday, August 18, 2024 3:34 PM
To: Michael Salter <michaelsalter at gmail.com>; Bob Spidell
<bspidell at comcast.net>; kags at shaw.ca; healeys at autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [Healeys] Steering Jiggle on and off throttle resolved

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
<mailto:healeys-bounces at autox.team.net> > on behalf of Michael Salter
<michaelsalter at gmail.com <mailto:michaelsalter at gmail.com> >
Sent: Thursday, August 15, 2024 10:16 AM
To: Bob Spidell <bspidell at comcast.net <mailto:bspidell at comcast.net> >
Cc: healeys at autox.team.net <mailto:healeys at autox.team.net>
<healeys at autox.team.net <mailto: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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