Car hard to push in neutral looking for suggestions
 

I have a 68 Mustang that I bracket race and it is VERY hard to push in Neutral. Just looking for suggestions as to what the problem could be. I know you stocker guys are masters about free things up so i figured i would ask here.

Re: Car hard to push in neutral looking for suggestions
 

a few easy checks, with the front wheels raised, do they spin freely?

Next, are the rear brakes completely released?

Also, try pushing with the drive shaft removed. These experiments will let you tune in on the problem system.

Post your findings after performing the above checks.

Re: Car hard to push in neutral looking for suggestions
 

Good suggestions by Dragsinger, particularly the one to disconnect the driveshaft.

If your brakes aren't binding and its still hard to push, good chance you have a bent rear axle housing. I've seen this once before and heard of several other cases with the same root cause.

Good luck and please do post your findings.

Re: Car hard to push in neutral looking for suggestions
 

If you have front disk brakes you might start there. My 67 had problems with the factory setup.

Re: Car hard to push in neutral looking for suggestions
 

If the car has a spool in it, the rear can be bent causing the car to loose ET. That's if all the other standard stuff doesn't work.
Casey Miles
248H

Re: Car hard to push in neutral looking for suggestions
 

If the rear is bent how much ET could it be costing me. I only run 1/8th mile and the car runs 6.80's.

Re: Car hard to push in neutral looking for suggestions
 

My old stock eliminator '73 Duster 340 had the stock disc brakes on it
and I never could get them to spin freely. I understand the new aftermarket
disc brakes solve this problem.

My currant bracket car also has stock disc brakes (all new pieces) and it
does spin freely, so I hope I have eliminated that problem area.

Re: Car hard to push in neutral looking for suggestions
 

You should try pushing some comp cars. I work turnaround at the Houston nats and most of those cars are a )(*^^ to push.

Re: Car hard to push in neutral looking for suggestions
 

Any car with a spool and big tires is hard to push when the wheels are turned. Most comp cars roll on there own, You have to keep and eye on them so they don't take off on there own.

Re: Car hard to push in neutral looking for suggestions
 

When you free up any brake issues, and remove the shaft try this. (wheels off...housing on jack stands)
1. place a 3 ft. straight edge (put a mark @ 18 inches) on the axle flange with your mark at the center of the hub. Use a plum-bob to mark a spot on the floor off of each end of your straight edge. Repeat that on the other side, now measure the distance between the front two marks on the floor and compare that to the distance between the back two marks. If your housing is bent, the measurement in between the front two marks will be less that the rear marks. That is an easy first step as apposed to taking the rear out for an alignment bar.
2. Do the straight edge thing on the front also, but this time place the straight edge along the tire (actually with a small spacer, place the straight edge against the wheel because the wheel should have less run-out for a more true measurement) with the car at ride height. Also check the camber with a level at vertical. A toe-in or toe-out issue is most likely your problem.
3. Check all suspension points for worn parts, they will cause you suspension settings to change without notice.
4. Align your front with consideration of ride height under acceleration (down track)

Re: Car hard to push in neutral looking for suggestions
 

I had the car out in the driveway ths weekend and I loosen the brakes up.
The car pushed a little easier but not much.
Next I took the driveshaft out and pushed the car and it was almost the same as when it was in the car.
someone told if the rear end is set up to tight would that make the car hard to roll.

Re: Car hard to push in neutral looking for suggestions
 

Try Wades advice. A tight rearend wouldn't make that big a difference unles somethings really wrong. Must be some thing out of alignment.

Re: Car hard to push in neutral looking for suggestions
 

checking pre-load for pinion bearings and side bearings is your next move.

You will find differences of opinion on the amount of bearing pre-load used with differential setups. Personally, I like to run very light bearing pre-loads for the pinion bearings and spool bearings.

For the pinion bearings, I use a solid sleeve [factory crush sleeve is not used] and experiment with shims at the solid sleeve until a very slight amount of drag is felt. For me, it is a "feel job" I suspect it would just register with an inch pounds wrench, maybe 2 inch pounds.

The side bearings will be only slightly tighter [more pre-loaded] than the pinion bearings. Again, a "feel job" that comes with experience. I think you mentioned having a 8.8 Mustang rear? If so, the side bearing shims will "tap, tap, tap" in place without much effort, using a small hammer.

The above steps require patients, expect to change both pinion and side shims several times while sneaking up on the amount of pre-load. Of course, all the while arriving at the proper gear mesh pattern.

And speaking of personal experience, I have successfully used this method for many years in many applications. Also, never experiencing any shortened gear life nor breakage.

Once the gear/bearing setup is complete, before installing the axles, you can VERY easily turn the pinion flange. To my thinking, anything tighter is wasting power.

Re: Car hard to push in neutral looking for suggestions
 

With the rear tires and brakes off in the rear , turn the pinion nut with a beam type inch lb. torque wrench you should see no more than 30 in. lbs of torque to rotate the rear end this measures both the pinion preload and side bearing preload at the same time. I'm more inclined to think the axle housing is bent at the ends and is creating a toe in condition for the rear tires which will make it very difficult to push. The gentleman who suggested you use a square and check for rear toe is most likely correct, it is a simple operation and will give you a definate result.Good luck Joe

Re: Car hard to push in neutral looking for suggestions
 

Have you found the problem?

Re: Car hard to push in neutral looking for suggestions
 

I just had 4 wheel alignment done they found rear end 1/8 out of square adjustable 4 link chevelle. Also replaced VW tires with moroso ds2 28 inch car has slight tow in sitting yet none at 4 inch. With 15 lbs in 28/10.5 mt. weighing 3600 lbs I can pull car forward with one hand by the door handle. Night to day difference. My disc brakes turned the sliders in drill press polishing with sand paper release good. Good luck











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Re: Car hard to push in neutral looking for suggestions
 

On the topic of disc brakes, on gocarts (JrDragsters) we had disc brake calipers that you could adjust with a set screw to back them away from the disc. Maybe someone needs to "invent" something like that to reduce drag.