Bad Shock

jaf2021 · 05-04-2021, 03:53 PM

Is it possible for a car with leaf springs,Cal-Tracs and stock shocks to pull to one side under acceleration of one of your shocks is bad?

Mike Pearson · 05-04-2021, 05:33 PM

I guess its possible but I would be looking at other things first. Check to see if the rear is square in the car. would be the first thing I would check. While you are under there you can loosen the bottom of the shocks and run them through the stroke to see if they feel like anything is going on with them. Check the adjustment on the bars to see if they are neutral. I would also give Caltracks a call to see what they have to say.

Jeff Stout · 05-04-2021, 05:34 PM

Make sure housing is on spring perches correctly. Also brackets on spring eyes could be flexing or cracked welds.

CMcAllister · 05-04-2021, 11:40 PM

Scales will help diagnose what is going on. Especially if the car had previously been baselined, numbers recorded, worked ok, and is now misbehaving.

Even if this wasn't done, corner weights are useful.

Bad shocks will make a car do stupid things. As stated, a good visual inspection is the first step.

GTX JOHN · 05-05-2021, 02:17 AM

All the Above.

Also check everything for tightness and condition
of all suspension stuff.

Jody Lang · 05-05-2021, 09:14 AM

First thing I would check is rear tire diameter to see if they’re the same.

Frank Bialas · 05-05-2021, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaf2021

Is it possible for a car with leaf springs,Cal-Tracs and stock shocks to pull to one side under acceleration of one of your shocks is bad?

what type of leaf spring also check your settings on bars, could of tighten or loosen up, this would cause it to pull.

340Cuda · 05-05-2021, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaf2021

Is it possible for a car with leaf springs,Cal-Tracs and stock shocks to pull to one side under acceleration of one of your shocks is bad?

I had a similar problem with a car with Cal-Tracks, mono leafs and Rancho shocks.

Chased a lot of things including taking it to the chassis shop and correcting some minor things.

It turned out it was a bad slick. M/T Radial, old but with not that many runs.

So you might try a different pair of tires if you have not done so already.

jaf2021 · 05-05-2021, 01:08 PM

Hey 340Cuda I do have some M/T radials that are old with about 20 passes on the car right now

340Cuda · 05-05-2021, 01:24 PM

That sure could be it.

I have never heard of anyone else having this problem but I would sure try changing them out.

05-04-2021, 03:53 PM	#1
jaf2021 Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: selmer,tn Posts: 111 Likes: 13 Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Bad Shock Is it possible for a car with leaf springs,Cal-Tracs and stock shocks to pull to one side under acceleration of one of your shocks is bad?

05-04-2021, 05:33 PM	#2
Mike Pearson VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,434 Likes: 608 Liked 1,903 Times in 571 Posts	Re: Bad Shock I guess its possible but I would be looking at other things first. Check to see if the rear is square in the car. would be the first thing I would check. While you are under there you can loosen the bottom of the shocks and run them through the stroke to see if they feel like anything is going on with them. Check the adjustment on the bars to see if they are neutral. I would also give Caltracks a call to see what they have to say. __________________ Mike Pearson 2485 SS

05-04-2021, 05:34 PM	#3
Jeff Stout VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: phoenix Posts: 1,484 Likes: 65 Liked 704 Times in 281 Posts	Re: Bad Shock Make sure housing is on spring perches correctly. Also brackets on spring eyes could be flexing or cracked welds.

05-04-2021, 11:40 PM	#4
CMcAllister Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Fulton County, PA Posts: 603 Likes: 15 Liked 890 Times in 248 Posts	Re: Bad Shock Scales will help diagnose what is going on. Especially if the car had previously been baselined, numbers recorded, worked ok, and is now misbehaving. Even if this wasn't done, corner weights are useful. Bad shocks will make a car do stupid things. As stated, a good visual inspection is the first step.

05-05-2021, 02:17 AM	#5
GTX JOHN VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boulder City, Nevada 89005 Posts: 2,719 Likes: 2,765 Liked 2,425 Times in 687 Posts	Re: Bad Shock All the Above. Also check everything for tightness and condition of all suspension stuff. __________________ John Irving 741 Stock 741 Super Stock

05-05-2021, 09:14 AM	#6
Jody Lang Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 306 Likes: 28 Liked 89 Times in 28 Posts	Re: Bad Shock First thing I would check is rear tire diameter to see if they’re the same.

05-05-2021, 01:08 PM	#9
jaf2021 Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: selmer,tn Posts: 111 Likes: 13 Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Bad Shock Hey 340Cuda I do have some M/T radials that are old with about 20 passes on the car right now

05-05-2021, 01:24 PM	#10
340Cuda VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 1,656 Likes: 3,793 Liked 756 Times in 328 Posts	Re: Bad Shock That sure could be it. I have never heard of anyone else having this problem but I would sure try changing them out.