Crab Tracking

[gyrhead]

Hi Folks,

Just brought home my first `87 GN. It's a one owner car, basically stock but with high miles. I've wanted one of these cars since 1987 and look forward to learing about the technology behind the car.

The car is tired but runs OK - but I did notice that the car slightly "crab tracks" when driving straight. I am 100% certain the car has never been hit or crashed (it's been in my wife's family since new) so I'm not sure what's causing the car to track like this.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanking you in advance,

Tom

 

[Red Regal T]

I would think a search for worn front end parts and a wheel alignment would fix it.

 

[Mac in SD]

The other thing you might check is the alignment of the body on the frame. These cars are infamous for that. Mine's off about a 1/2 inch. Just haven't had the opportunity to get a bunch of strong-backs together to loosen the body mounts and lift it over.

 

[pacecarta]

front alaignment has nothing to do with it driving sideways
check the bushings in the rear contoll arms (uppers and lowers)

 

[gyrhead]

Thanks!

Thanks guys! I've been checking out your site - incredible voume of great info. I'd hate to become a pain in the butt, but you'll likely find me in here a lot asking rookie questions.

We've been playing around with carbureted big blocks for 30 years - I feel like a beginner all over again!

My plan is to completely go through the front and rear suspension this winter - including all the bushings. Under the car it looks pretty identical to my last 81 Chevrolet Malibu - so the suspension project should be pretty straightforward.

Just curious, but does the 93-02 Camaro Firebird front sway bar bolt into the Buick? Any benefit to be gained with a 32mm front 1LE bar if so?

Tom

 

[UNGN]

Sounds like upper control arm bushings. The downpipe cooks the passenger side UCA bushings and the car develops a mind of it's own.

93-up F-body swaybar won't fit. A 3rd gen bar, including the hollow 36mm front bar, should fit, however. This bar weighs about 12lbs less then the stock 32mm bar.

 

[Red Regal T]

Originally posted by UNGN
Sounds like upper control arm bushings. The downpipe cooks the passenger side UCA bushings and the car develops a mind of it's own.

I think that would come under worn front end parts if that's the problem. Also, if your front end is out of alignment, dogtracking could result. That's something akin to crab tracking, right?

 

[UNGN]

Originally posted by Red Regal T
I think that would come under worn front end parts if that's the problem. Also, if your front end is out of alignment, dogtracking could result. That's something akin to crab tracking, right?

That's true, but even low mile cars without "worn front end parts" will do this.

My 24K Mile '86 GN Has a cooked UCA bushing and it does this, but the rest of the suspension is like brand new. No sense replacing $400 worth of stuff, when the easily replaced UCA bushings (no spring removal required) usually fixes the problem.