Steering wheel uncentering itself automagically

[65cruiser]

I noticed something strange[}] when I was driving my Cruiser this weekend. My wife and I were driving down I-65 and I noticed that the steering wheel wasn't straight, it was turned to the left. I thought maybe it was the way the road was banked, but it stayed with me all night. Then, Sunday morning I had 6 people in the car going to church and it was even worse. When I got home, I checked the pressure in the tires but everything was okay.

This morning when driving to work (just me), it's perfect. So, what would cause the steering wheel to uncenter itself when there are passengers aboard? I've never noticed this before, but mostly it's just me in the car. The front end of the car has been rebuilt and the tires aren't wearing funny[]

________________________
Mark Anderson

http://home.alltel.net/anderm

1965 Studebaker Cruiser

[Dwain G.]

It is very likely a condition of 'camber thrust'. As a car is loaded the camber setting goes farther toward negative camber (tire leaning inward at the top). Most cars are unloaded when aligned, so specifications commonly call for a specified amount of positive camber (tire leaning outward at the top) so that the tire will be more straight up-and-down when the car is occupied.
If there is appreciably more negative camber in the right front of a loaded car two things happen. The right front wheel wants to turn in an arc to the left, somewhat like a cone, and the tire tread tries to 'thrust' left. This action also has an effect on the toe setting. Maybe your car has a weaker spring in the right side causing it to sag more under added weight. An alignment shop should check to see if the camber changes significantly when the car is loaded.

Dwain G.

[curt]

Could it be a heavy person on the right? Could the stearing wheel be sliping on the shaft?

[65cruiser]

Thanks everyone. Another user on the "other" forum suggested I check the lower control arm bolts. I will do that today. Beyond that I think I'll hit the alignment shop and have them check the alignment with passengers and see if the camber is off. The steering wheel it not loose as the car drives perfectly with just "me" behind the wheel.

________________________
Mark Anderson

http://home.alltel.net/anderm

1965 Studebaker Cruiser

[65cruiser]

Okay, I just crawled all under the Cruiser. Nothing amiss, all bolts tight and the springs look good. Looks like I need to visit a good alignment shop.

________________________
Mark Anderson

http://home.alltel.net/anderm

1965 Studebaker Cruiser