Rear of car swerves, on deceleration

Jon B

When driving my '37 Terraplane, if I suddenly let off on the accelerator, the rear of the car pulls a tiny bit to the right. This has gone on for some time, and it's just a minor annoyance to me. But I wondered if this indicates any deeper problem I should be concerned about. I'm thinking that there may be some minor looseness in the differential so that the axle on one side starts to decelerate before the other axle. So, while one tire is slowing the car down, the other is merely going along for the ride. But that's just a guess.



Any ideas?

rambos_ride

If theres not an accompanying "clunk" when the car shifts - my thought would be you might have the brake shoes dragging on one side?

Other than that I'd be sure to do a visual inspection of the suspension mounts and frame.

[Deleted User]

Jon B wrote:

When driving my '37 Terraplane, if I suddenly let off on the accelerator, the rear of the car pulls a tiny bit to the right. This has gone on for some time, and it's just a minor annoyance to me. But I wondered if this indicates any deeper problem I should be concerned about. I'm thinking that there may be some minor looseness in the differential so that the axle on one side starts to decelerate before the other axle. So, while one tire is slowing the car down, the other is merely going along for the ride. But that's just a guess.



Any ideas?

Check to torque on the U bolts on the rear springs. You may have one side loose. Walt.

[Deleted User]

Check your emergency brake. You could have a shoe dragging. You might want to eyeball all of your brake shoes and associated hardware before the Terraplane takes off for Detroit.



Kevin C.

Jon B

Thanks for the good ideas, folks! The dragging brake never occurred to me, but that would be a good possibility. I'll also make sure that the rear axle isn't about to part company with the car frame!

Richard E.

Jon, I have one more for you, check the tightness of your lugbolts! My rear wheel fell off of my '36T after experiencing increasingly bad swerving of the rear end. All 5 lug bolts were in the hubcap???? It is still a mystery as I had driven almost 1,000 miles since that wheel had been put on the car and I know that the lugbolts were on tight. It has even been suggested to torque them down, which I have never done on any car that I have owned.

Lee ODell

Jon B wrote:

When driving my '37 Terraplane, if I suddenly let off on the accelerator, the rear of the car pulls a tiny bit to the right. This has gone on for some time, and it's just a minor annoyance to me. But I wondered if this indicates any deeper problem I should be concerned about. I'm thinking that there may be some minor looseness in the differential so that the axle on one side starts to decelerate before the other axle. So, while one tire is slowing the car down, the other is merely going along for the ride. But that's just a guess.



Any ideas?

Jon you might check the tear end tracking. Sometimes the center bolt in the spring breaks or if it has been loose and the u bolts were loose they can bend allowing the rear end to dog track. Also, check for a broken leaf in the rear springs. Good luck. Lee

Clutchguy

Jon,there are several good recommendations here. The rear axle U-bolts need to be checked,and for sure check for loose lugs bolts. If these are in good working order and tight,look real close at the front leaf spring mounting rubber. These are usually gone just because of age,and knowing how long you have been driving that old "Clunker":rolleyes:are probably missing at this point:eek: these bushings are availble at KGap. I would think if the brakes were hanging up you would notice the smell of brake material and also notice the usual brake pedal being real spongy,not to say this couldn't be the culprit. Good luck

Jon B

Thanks for these additional thoughts. I will of course check the spring conditions, but all springs were NOS and installed within the last ten years, so that "angle" will be somewhat down the list of possible culprits.