Thanks to everyone for the input.
I do have a new tie-rod and tires and I have adjusted the play out of the
steering box.
Can not find anything else loose. I guess I am going to be forced to take
it to the dealer for $65.00 per hour.:-(
Thanks
Ron
----- Original Message -----
From: Ronnie Day <rday@airmail.net>
To: <rvedgar@bellsouth.net>
Cc: Roadster List <datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 1999 8:44 PM
Subject: Re: Cruising Speed & Alignment
> >Hi Ron,
> >
> >Well, here's a topic I guess I should know something about having gone
> >cross country twice in it.
> >
> >><snip>
> >>Tires are new, steering
> >>has the minimum 1" of play,
> >
> >I guess I would stop right there. I have a 14.5" diameter steering wheel
on
> >mine and I have approx 1/2" max play. Of course, this is after I had the
> >steering box worked on and the idler box bearing and shaft replaced.
(Thanks
> >Les and Barrie) A little play here can make things seem very sloppy very
> >quickly. I remember I let Tom Walter drive it when I stopped by his place
in
> >Texas and he was surprised I could drive it at all.
> >
> >The drive out was a "white knuckle" experience all the way and each time
a
> >semi blew by it was a real gut test. It felt more like I was nursing the
car
> >back to the center of the lane rather than driving it there.
> >
> >In addition, a road with a good crown on it was also an interesting
> >experience. Caster, as I recall, will make the car tend to want to steer
> >uphill, but I guess all the slop in the linkage just made it wander all
> >over.
> >
> >>computer alignment is the best the shop could
> >>do. Camber is .2deg left, .9deg right. Caster is 1.5deg left, 1.2deg
> >>right. Toe is -.01deg left, .07deg right. This is very close to spec.
> >
> >Won't comment on that. I know I had a little more aggressive alignment
than
> >normal (or so I was told) but I don't have the figures in front of me so
> >I'll pass on further comment.
> >
> >>So why at 65 to 70 do I fell like its not stable?? Is it just that I
have
> >>forgotten how much a small 2000lb car can be blown around or do I need
more
> >>adjustment???
> >
> >Winds can still be felt but nothing like before.
> >
> >>The tech said he could adjust it more but that I would get
> >>more tire wear. Should these roadsters cruise at 70 with very little
> >>steering adjustment
> >
> >Yes!!!
> >
> >or do you need to be
> >>correcting for wind and road continually at speeds over 55 ???
> >
> >No!!!
> >
> >I love the
> >>car it is a hoot to drive and at 45 to 55 its one hand and relaxed. At
70
> >>its two hands and not relaxed which on a long trip could prove very
tiring
> >>and frustrating. Feed back please.
> >
> >I find it's as much fun at 70+ now as it is at 55. However, I do use two
> >hands at those speeds just because it's a good idea and not because I
feel
> >like I have to.
> >
> >I'd check all the linkage joints for play especially the idler box on the
> >passenger side.
>
> I agree completely with Tom. Sounds like some thing(s) loose. I bought
> our '70 2000 originally to drive from Ft. Worth to school in Denton and
> back. Even in the days of 25 cent/gal gas, my '67 Impala was eating us
> out of house and home. At least two/three days a week on my way home on
> the then new I-35W, I'd be passed by a couple of guys in a Camaro and a
> Mustang, racing each other.
>
> One day when I saw them coming in my mirror, I said what the heck,
> dropped it into 4th and floored it. Needlessw to say , they were both a
> little surprised that this little yellow Japanese roadster was not only
> hanging with them but they began to hit the wall about 105. It took a few
> miles , but I did the car almost to an indicated 115.
>
> Long story, short point, but the car was rock solid. Of course it was
> less than a year old and probably had around 10K miles on it too. Not
> that I'm suggesting that you try this, but if you can cruise comfortably
> well above 70, something's not right.
>
> FWIW, Ron
>
> ________________
> Ronnie Day
> rday@airmail.net
> Dallas/Ft. Worth
> '71 510 2-dr (Prepared class autocrosser)
> '73 510 2-dr (Street Toy)
>
>
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