Re: '71 Squareback front end

["Alan W. Presley" <awpresley@earthlink.net>]

The 30 MPH shake.

Kinda like the Macerena,...    with caffiene.

You didn't mention, DOES it quit when you get ABOVE 30?

It's probably your steering dampner and/or your ball joints (suspension
or tie rod ends).

First, I would go to a "Brake Check"-type place that will check your
front end for free. 

Tell them your problem, let them put it on the lift where you can see it
too.  They have the levers and the tools to check these points.

Let them quote the job (and an alignment afterwards). Now you can decide
what you want to do verses what you would rather them do. If you want to
do it, tell them you will have to consider it, have them take it off the
rack (they shouldn't have taken apart anything) and take it home or to
the parts store to get the parts. 

Whatever the problem is, you will probably need to replace the dampner.
(That's the easy part) If you've run it long with this problem, the
dampner will now be weak. It's the thin shock absorber that goes across
the back side of your front beam.  but replace it after the other parts
are checked/replaced.

If it's the ball joints, you will have to consider if the cost outweighs
the effort of replacing them. The tools aren't that expensive, but it's
a lot of wailing with a sledge hammer. 

The tie rod ends are easier, standard tools can do it. It also depends
on the rustyness of your front end. A good propane torch can solve that
problem. 

After you replace any joints you will need an alignment. If it's just
the tie rods replaced, you can give yourself a damnear perfect alignment
using the Muir alignment procedure. (Don't have the Muir book? GET IT!
or else why are you doing this yourself?) If it's the suspension ball
joints, you will probably need a professional shop to do it right, but
you can get it close enough to drive it there.

Good luck
Big Al
awpresley@earthlink.net