Author Topic: bump steer kit? (Read 557 times)

65-408 · « **on:** December, 14, 2009, 09:14:10 AM »

can someone explain the advantages of the bump steer kit? is it worth it for a primarily street driven car?

Shaun · « **Reply #1 on:** December, 14, 2009, 10:15:00 AM »

Bumpsteer is the wheel toeing in or out during suspension travel. Makes the car twitchy on bumpy or un-even roads. Measure how bad yours is by removing the spring and shock then jack the control arm up and down. Measure how much the front of the tire (3 o'clock position) moves compared to the back (9 o'clock) position.

By lowering the steering arm, you can reduce, sometimes eliminate, the toeing in and out. The kits include various size shims so you can find a combination that works best.

garner67 · « **Reply #2 on:** December, 14, 2009, 11:09:35 AM »

Reducing or eliminating bumpsteer is well worth the effort. Your car will drive more predictably and feel safer going down the road. Personally, I like the Baer Tracker bumbsteer kit.

http://www.streetortrack.com/files/images/baer/baer-tracker.jpg

Garage Potato · « **Reply #3 on:** December, 14, 2009, 08:39:53 PM »

People will sell you anything!
Unless you are prepared to buy a bumpsteer gauge and learn how to set bumpsteer, then don't waste your money on a bumpsteer "kit".

garner67 · « **Reply #4 on:** December, 14, 2009, 11:13:56 PM »

Can't an experience alignment professional handle setting up a bump steer kit correctly?

I can think of a couple local guys that know vintage iron. I'd imagine they could handle the job easily.

Shaun · « **Reply #5 on:** December, 15, 2009, 05:41:48 AM »

Quote from: Garage Potato on December, 14, 2009, 08:39:53 PM

People will sell you anything!
Unless you are prepared to buy a bumpsteer gauge and learn how to set bumpsteer, then don't waste your money on a bumpsteer "kit".

You don't need an expensive guage to measure. Early Mustangs are so bad you can see the toe change from across the room. A BIG room!

Opentracker · « **Reply #6 on:** December, 15, 2009, 07:22:37 AM »

Quote from: Garage Potato on December, 14, 2009, 08:39:53 PM

People will sell you anything!
Unless you are prepared to buy a bumpsteer gauge and learn how to set bumpsteer, then don't waste your money on a bumpsteer "kit".

No one here is trying to sell anything, just answering the question. Bump steer kits do help, you can get them from several places or you can make your own.

One easy and very cheap way to test bump steer is to strap a laser level to the side of your tire while the car is on jack stands. Remove the spring and shock, hold the steering wheel fast with a rope and cycle the suspension from top to bottom. With the laser level pointed at the wall in front of the car you can measure how much toe change there is. Adjusting the shims will lessen the amount of toe change. It works great and only cost $10. I had a photo of my rig but I can't find it.