Amazon: - 123GT Amazon: Swerves to the right when braking

greaserleo · Dec 17th, 2020, 17:03

1968 Volvo Amazon 123GT
Right Hand Drive.
When driving if i take my hands off the steering wheel it will veer off gradually towards the right.
If I apply the brakes it seriously swerves to the right (unless I keep hold of the steering wheel).
I've raised the front wheels and they felt ok, perhaps a slight feeling of movement if turned all the way to the left or right, but cant tell if that's normal or not.
I replaced the Idler arm bush with a fancy steel and brass thing that I was hoping would rectify the issues. Feels better now but it's not solved it.
The tie rod ends felt fine.
Wondering if the brakes may not be working properly, perhaps there is air in the line on the left hand side, so the right piston is grabbing stronger and creating the swerve when braking, and the general tracking maybe off causing the gradual veering off when under normal driving?
I also have some replacement poly bushes for the rear torque arms and the pan hard rod but not yet installed.

Another thing which is odd is when Im going in a straight line the steering wheel is about 45 degrees off/turned anti clockwise but when stationary with wheels in the air the steering wheel looks to be in the correct position?

Advice Appreciated.

*I've also replaced the steering column bushes with new poly (the steering improved (less shopping cart) but the above issues continued as per before.

Burdekin · Dec 17th, 2020, 17:29

A mate was telling us last night of a story when he bought a P1800 and it did the same thing with the brakes. One calliper wasn’t working and was full of manky brake fluid. If one isn’t working bleed it and see if it makes a difference.

Toe in is probably out. Check the steering and tie rods aren’t bent. A rough check can be done with a tape measure between the inside tyres. Check what the spec is but think it might be about 1mm toe in. Do you have to really steer the car to keep it straight?

Burdekin · Dec 17th, 2020, 17:33

A few pics is always helpful. They have to be lower res to upload to the forum though.

greaserleo · Dec 17th, 2020, 17:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burdekin

Do you have to really steer the car to keep it straight?

I have to keep my hands on the steering wheel, not so much steering to keep it straight but lightly holding it in place or else it veers off towards the right.
If I apply the brakes it will make a definite swerve to the right.

Burdekin · Dec 17th, 2020, 20:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by greaserleo

I have to keep my hands on the steering wheel, not so much steering to keep it straight but lightly holding it in place or else it veers off towards the right.
If I apply the brakes it will make a definite swerve to the right.

Check your tie and steering rods. I had a bent one which caused it to steer off to one side.

I imagine something is wrong with the left brake, most likely calliper not working.

Underdrive · Dec 18th, 2020, 08:27

An important thing to know is if this problem has appeared suddenly or gradually or did you buy the car like this? Also the cause may not be at the front but caused by a problem with rear suspension/brakes.

Burdekin · Dec 18th, 2020, 08:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Underdrive

An important thing to know is if this problem has appeared suddenly or gradually or did you buy the car like this? Also the cause may not be at the front but caused by a problem with rear suspension/brakes.

Yeah that's a very good point. It's also probably a good idea to get a reputable shop to have a good look over things especially if you've just bought the car.

norustplease · Dec 18th, 2020, 10:24

The braking issue is possibly either a partially seized calliper or a blocked flexible. Suggest that you replace both sides. Most likely I would have thought, to be a partially blocked flexible that inhibits fluid flow to that side and means that the brake on the opposite side starts to work harder, sooner. I assume that you have also checked that the brakes actually release fully on the side that it drifts towards?
Tracking to one side or another 'hands off' could be a range of things. Drift to the left is usually down to road camber in the UK, so drift towards the crown of the road has to be something physically wrong with steering/ suspension. I assume that you have checked for broken springs, etc.? Steering geometry is the obvious place to go, but check your tyre condition and pressures as a starting point.

Derek UK · Dec 18th, 2020, 11:06

+1 to all that has been said so far. Bad calliper with one or more sticking pucks. Check the alignment. Wandering and vague steering can be caused by the steering box being adjusted a bit too tight. If tight it doesn't allow the steering to self centre properly. A warped disc can cause the car to go to that side. Warping can be caused by a sticking calliper so you could have gone full circle.

blueosprey90 · Dec 18th, 2020, 13:51

You probably have more than one problem, but check your tire pressure. An underinflated front tire will cause swerve on braking.

Dec 17th, 2020, 17:03	#1
greaserleo New Member Last Online: Nov 23rd, 2022 21:50 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: london	123GT Amazon: Swerves to the right when braking 1968 Volvo Amazon 123GT Right Hand Drive. When driving if i take my hands off the steering wheel it will veer off gradually towards the right. If I apply the brakes it seriously swerves to the right (unless I keep hold of the steering wheel). I've raised the front wheels and they felt ok, perhaps a slight feeling of movement if turned all the way to the left or right, but cant tell if that's normal or not. I replaced the Idler arm bush with a fancy steel and brass thing that I was hoping would rectify the issues. Feels better now but it's not solved it. The tie rod ends felt fine. Wondering if the brakes may not be working properly, perhaps there is air in the line on the left hand side, so the right piston is grabbing stronger and creating the swerve when braking, and the general tracking maybe off causing the gradual veering off when under normal driving? I also have some replacement poly bushes for the rear torque arms and the pan hard rod but not yet installed. Another thing which is odd is when Im going in a straight line the steering wheel is about 45 degrees off/turned anti clockwise but when stationary with wheels in the air the steering wheel looks to be in the correct position? Advice Appreciated. *I've also replaced the steering column bushes with new poly (the steering improved (less shopping cart) but the above issues continued as per before.

Dec 17th, 2020, 17:29	#2
Burdekin Chief Bodger Last Online: Yesterday 18:30 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Aberdeen	A mate was telling us last night of a story when he bought a P1800 and it did the same thing with the brakes. One calliper wasn’t working and was full of manky brake fluid. If one isn’t working bleed it and see if it makes a difference. Toe in is probably out. Check the steering and tie rods aren’t bent. A rough check can be done with a tape measure between the inside tyres. Check what the spec is but think it might be about 1mm toe in. Do you have to really steer the car to keep it straight? __________________ One day I will get rid of all of the rust.

Dec 17th, 2020, 17:33	#3
Burdekin Chief Bodger Last Online: Yesterday 18:30 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Aberdeen	A few pics is always helpful. They have to be lower res to upload to the forum though. __________________ One day I will get rid of all of the rust.

Dec 18th, 2020, 08:27	#6
Underdrive Senior Member Last Online: Apr 9th, 2024 10:10 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: stranraer	An important thing to know is if this problem has appeared suddenly or gradually or did you buy the car like this? Also the cause may not be at the front but caused by a problem with rear suspension/brakes.

Dec 18th, 2020, 10:24	#8
norustplease Junior Member Last Online: Apr 24th, 2024 21:24 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Preston	The braking issue is possibly either a partially seized calliper or a blocked flexible. Suggest that you replace both sides. Most likely I would have thought, to be a partially blocked flexible that inhibits fluid flow to that side and means that the brake on the opposite side starts to work harder, sooner. I assume that you have also checked that the brakes actually release fully on the side that it drifts towards? Tracking to one side or another 'hands off' could be a range of things. Drift to the left is usually down to road camber in the UK, so drift towards the crown of the road has to be something physically wrong with steering/ suspension. I assume that you have checked for broken springs, etc.? Steering geometry is the obvious place to go, but check your tyre condition and pressures as a starting point.

Dec 18th, 2020, 11:06	#9
Derek UK VOC Member Last Online: Yesterday 15:13 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chatham	+1 to all that has been said so far. Bad calliper with one or more sticking pucks. Check the alignment. Wandering and vague steering can be caused by the steering box being adjusted a bit too tight. If tight it doesn't allow the steering to self centre properly. A warped disc can cause the car to go to that side. Warping can be caused by a sticking calliper so you could have gone full circle.

Dec 18th, 2020, 13:51	#10
blueosprey90 Master Member Last Online: Apr 25th, 2024 13:36 Join Date: May 2017 Location: New Milford, Connecticut	You probably have more than one problem, but check your tire pressure. An underinflated front tire will cause swerve on braking.

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