Floating front end

[Pancakeman173]

I just started up the 124 this afternoon it mechanically sounds great, a little starting fluid did the trick. I have a question, when i was driving last summer i notice a floating front end? any ideas on how to tight up the front end or what it could be? 1978 fiat Spyder, 2100 original miles, looking to get new top got a price around 600.00. sounded pissa today.

[RRoller123]

Check adjustment/lube of the two steering boxes, and inspect all the rubber bushings in the front end.

Make sure that this one on the passenger side is cleaned and filled with gear oil:



The one on the driver's side can be adjusted to tighten the steering, by loosening the locknut and slightly tightening the screw until there is minimal play at the steering wheel (~1" side to side). Don't overtighten or it will bind at steering extremity. Unfortunately I don't have a photo, but someone can post one.

[GeorgeT]

Tie rods worn, ball joints shot, alignment worn gear in the steering box (can be adjusted per previous post), worn out shocks: any or a combination can cause your issue, check each.

[BwBrown]

OR...

Don't want to be a pessimist, but if checking the normal wear points of the front end doesn't reveal the problem, you may need to check for rust, separation, or crushing of the (unitized) frame member where the steering box attaches. On my '70 this point is crushed and separated from the firewall.

Here's the worst possible scenario...I recently looked at a '71 (I think it was) on which not only was the steering box point compromised, but the passenger side frame member where the idler arm is bolted was also rusted away from the floor board up. On that one, watching from underneath, when the steering wheel was rocked back and forth, the whole front end moved sideways and back by nearly an inch. I walked away from that one.

Hope your solution is an easy one.
Bob;

[fiat218]

Stay out of the high winds