Passenger Tire Turns Too Much
 

I bought an '83 300D three weeks ago. 202,000 miles, no rust, everything except A/C and cruise control works.

About a week ago when I was backing-up and turned hard to the right (passenger side), there was a jolt in the steering. I got out and it looked like the passenger wheel was turned too far. It happened again Friday. (Last time I drove it.)

I jacked it up to look for loose components/wheel play. Everything was rock solid. I did notice some bushings were shot and that there was a slight positive camber on the wheel.

The car handles great at all speeds-no shakes or vibrations, steering is quite responsive.

I was planning on replacing most of the suspension components in the spring, but in the meantime-

Does anyone know what is causing the wheel to "over-turn?"

And-Is it safe to drive?

This is my first post-I looked all over for a previous mention of this and didn't find anything. So, if I missed it, or I'm posting in the wrong place, please ridicule me and point me in the right direction.

Thanks!
Rich

When I back up while turning the steering wheel to the left [or is it right?], my tire hits the tie rod and locks my steering. Very abrupt and scary. I had a front end rebuild, then alignment, and I'm guessing the alignment was bad. Guide rod on passenger side is adjusted waaaay different than drivers side, and I think that is causing the problem. Pulls hard to the right too....(still :( )

btw, congrats on the new car. You will enjoy it, and you will always have a way to kill any free time......:D

if it just looks too far and you arent experiencing any problems with it i suspect it is just normal. because of the caster in the front end, which is a lot more than most cars, when it is turned over to one side it looks pretty radical. but when cornering hard this angle, after the car is leaned over hard, the angle of the tire and road will be optimal for traction. at low speeds or stopped though it looks really odd...til you get used to the idea it is ok.

tom w

Don't forget the inside tire has to turn a tighter radius than the outside tire.

Does the drivers tire do the same when you turn the other direction?

Which bushings? If there is a slight positive camber, you will notice strange steering, especially when the caster and camber combine to odd angles. Depending on how much, you may/may not notice a difference in highway driving.

(I found this out when trying to develop a DIY alignment procedure.)

Check the upper control arm bushings and swaybar pivot bushings AND mounts. When you brake does it pull toward the side that overturns?

Hey-thanks for all the replies and good wishes! I hope this thread can solve Jimmy's problem, too.

In response to the replies:

The car brakes fine, does not pull, shake, or make noise even under hard braking.

I think it's more than a wierd visual-the tire hits a rod (strut?) in the wheel well and it takes a good tug on the steering wheel to get the tire back. It's never done this while turning left. I don't want to try it again under load for fear of it staying that way or damaging the power steering.

I will get it up on jacks this weekend and try it in both directions. Also, manuals should be here tomorrow so I can properly identify bushings and other components. (Many thanks for your patience!)

And..uh...oops, that would be negative camber on the front passenger wheel-tilting out at the bottom. BTW-tire wear is even on all wheels.

Rich

the tire should definately not be hitting anything. so you have some kind of a problem. you will just have to start wiggling everything. you need to unload the suspension in a particlular way to check the ball joints though.

good luck

tom w

Mine doesn't hit in the wheel well, but under the suspension. The tie rod for sure. The guide rod threads had huge differences in the amount of threads used......

I have returned with an update on my over-achieving wheel and another question.

First-all 4 tie rod bushings are shot, so I will replace both rods. I found a good thread on doing this, should be no sweat if I can locate a ball joint removal tool.

Second-I noticed that the passenger side tie rod was adjusted out a bit more than the driver's side (about 5-6 threads total). Might explain the toe out.

Third- The tire hits the rod going from the frame to the lower A arm. (Horizontal support rod? Sorry, I can't find it labeled anywhere.)

So my plan is to replace the the tie rods and have an alignment and see where I am after that. Any comments/suggestions?

Here's my question-what stops the steering linkage from travelling left or right? Is it something in the steering box? A detent somewhere else?

All help is greatly appreciated!
Rich