1976 Pulls to the right very hard.

[socor7]

I am looking at a 1976 corvette and am wondering why it would pull so hard to the right. I am not sure if it is just the allignment or if it would ential redoing the entire front end. From bushing and ball joints, just wondering if any one else has had a simular idea. I am also wondering about the value. it is a 1976 milage is unknown. The engine has been replaced some time ago, with an chevy 350 with a block from the correct era I checked the stamping. it is a 4speed and no ac. The interior is very clean and matches the paint code. it is white, but the paint code is for a mahogany metallic. it drives well and the clutch is very tight. I looks like the paint is very new the owners tell me it was with when they purchased it 3 years ago and they are the 3rd owner. The frame is very clean and rust free. The only issue is the hard pull to the right.


thanks

 

[bossvette]

It could also be brakes, If you are not a DIY type take it to an alignment shop to get it checked out it will need a 4 wheel alignment.

 

[socor7]

that could be the just replaced the master cylander 3 months ago I wonder if there is any corelation? thanks for the idea

 

[joe1975]

Brakes!

 

[bossvette]

Best bet is to get it on a lift.
if one of the brake calipers are sticking it will pull to that side. Parts are easy to come by there is a huge market of Corvette parts if that is a concern to you. As for value I payed $4500 for mine (1999) but it was not running; and have put 4 times that into it since then.the 76 is the "Rodney Dangerfield " of Corvettes it gets no respect but I still love the lines.

 

[socor7]

any way I can test to see if it is the breaks with out a lift?

 

[arctic fox]

My 76 was pulling to the right when I bought it. I did brakes all around but the part that corrected the pull I think, was new bushings in the upper and lower a frames.
Take a good look at the bushings and make sure the bushing inner sleeve is tight against the shoulder of the a arm shaft.

 

[lucky76]

Has the power steering been worked on recently?
When I got my 76 in August it had new tires and had new a frame bushing but it pulled to the left slightly. I figured it had be aligned with the work already done on it. I then read somewhere that the power steering had to be adjusted if it had been replaced. I was given a lots of receipts with it and I found one where the power steering had been replaced about 6 months before I got it. I found the adjusting screw, disconnected the cylinder rod, turned the screw to center the rod and it fixed the pull to the left. Check it out.

 

[bossvette]

any way I can test to see if it is the breaks with out a lift?

yes jack one wheel at a time and check to see if it spins by hand, then remove the wheel and visibly inspect the rotors for wear/grooves and the pads for wear.

the post above about the power steering is also a valid point, if the valve is not adjusted properly it will cause it to pull. Do a search of the C3 tech forums for the adjustment procedure; I don't want to go from memory its been a long time since I did mine.

 

[jdp6000]

If you are not applying the brakes and it its pulling hard it could be the steering control valve. i had this problem with my 77.

an easy way to check is by getting the front two wheels off the ground. start the motor. If the steering goes to the right it probably is that valve.

Jim

 

[Stallion]

Unless you hear any grinding or feel anything of that sort, I would say that it probably isn't the brakes if it just rolls down and pulls right without any brake on your part. Sounds like steering to me.

 

[bradfordsvettes]

like the posts said before p/s valve not adjusted correctly,sticking caliper but it usually has a pull when braking also probably to the opposite side, worn bushings or other suspension parts, do not over look tires if one has shifted cords they will pull like crazy even if the alignment is dead nuts on if you cross the front tires and the pull goes to the other direction most likely a tire problem.put it on a lift and have the front and rear suspension checked and for any frame damage Steve

 

[vette-dude]

All the above suggestions are good ones for sure. I just want to add that you would want to check the brake hoses also. Old hoses collapse inside from time to time and will create a pulling to one direction or the other dependent on which hose has gone bad. If I was replacing the calipers on this year of car and the hoses were original--I would put on new ones just to be sure.

Randy

 

[pasvorto1]

I had the same problem on my '78. I thought I had a sticking brake caliper or an alignment problem. I took it in for an alignment. Turns out the thing had been in a wreck and the right side of the frame was pushed back a few inches. After the frame was straightened it tracked true. Go figure.

 

[74bigblock]

If you have ruled out the brakes and power steering.... jack up one side of the car. Put your hands at 6 and 9 on the wheel/tire (Check for bad tie rod ends). Jiggle forcefully back and forth. Is there any play in the wheel? Do the same in the 6 and 12 position (Checks for bad A arm bushings/ball joints). Any play? Are your tires more worn on the inside vs outside on either the right or left tire (If so your Camber is off)? If all else fails... take it to the shop and have them do a lifetime allignment (This means you pay for it once, and they allign your car for as long as you own it). If this still doesn't find your problem, I would check the interface between the seat and the steering wheel.

p.s. I really don't think it's your brakes. If it was, the issue would be exasorbated every time you hit the brakes.