1986 Ford Fiesta Conversion Swaying

[dchec]

Recently purchased a 1986 Ford Fiesta Conversion. It is a 350. I bought this with my mother in mind think I would let her use it as she pleased. I took it immediatly on a 1200 mile trip. I could barley control the beast. My hands were killing me from holding on so tight. It will harshly pull to the left and feels as if you will flip it if you bring it back too fast. I put new tires on before this trip. Does anyone have any solutions so I can have dear old ma take it on some shorter trips?

[omjones]

[Handbasket]

Alignment: Be sure they check the steering box (adjustable for wear) and wheel bearings (likewise); probably will, but good to ask.

Tires: Confirm size & load range from Ford door sticker. then load unit as for travel, get axle weight at Cat scales at truck top. Then visit your tire dealer or the tire maker's web site to get load / pressure chart. Check with a good gauge; one of my supposedly good ones was 10 psi off at 80.

Note also that a few folks, including yr. humble correspondent, have had steering / handling problems with Michelin LTX's, in M/S and A/S.

Shocks: Is it 'porpoising' or 'nodding it's head' over speed breakers, bumps, and RR crossings? Bilsteins are pricey, but a lot of folks here have had very good results.
Sway bar bushings: Esp. the front center ones deteriorate with age and exposure to oil spills & leaks.

Sway bars: May be able to upgrade front to larger diameter, and add a rear. Conversion hardware like generator may get in the way, and make one that fits hard to find.

Good luck, and welcome!

Jim, "Technology: No place for wimps!"


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'02 Roadtrek C190P , Bilsteins!
'99 Forester S ('HANDBSKT')
'95 Toyota SR5 V-6 4x4 pickup, ARB locker, Bilsteins, Warn hubs & M8000, etc...
'94 968, M030 swaybars ('DOPPLER')

[dchec]

Tires are more than enough to handle loads with this vehicle. I think? I'll check again. Has anyone ever heard of steer safe stabilizers? I saw them online and they looked to be a qucik solution to my problem. I am thinking of flying back east and then driving back here to Utah. I want to try to figure something out as soon as I can so I can arrange to have parts there when I fly in. I haven't told the wife yet, but I have a buyer for our old VW Westfalia. It needs to much work and having a toilet and shower on deck is so cool.