Question on ride problems

[62cutlassconvert]

Have my 62 convertible on the road now. New bushings/springs/shocks at the rear, new ball joints/fully cleaned and lubed tight bushings/new springs/shocks/sway bar bushings/good tie rod ends and drag link at front. Original steering box but it steers well without much of any play

I live in a rural area with bumpy roads and when hitting sharp bumps going slow or fast get a considerable rubbery jiggle in the car and steering.

Has no issue on smooth road, handles well.

Is this normal in the convertible?
If not, any real knowledge/experience of what the problem could be.
The obvious thought I have is the front subframe mounts but they seem to be in good original condition, Bolts are tight.

Thanks

[joe_padavano]

It’s called “cowl shake” and is common in convertibles, especially unibody ones. The 61-63 converts don’t have nearly as much additional stiffening as do new convertibles.

[62cutlassconvert]

I was afraid of that.

So pretty normal for these cars I guess?

I have had convertibles in the past, including american cars, and have a ’62 Jag convertible now and none have the amount of Cowl Shake, which involves considerable steering wheel shake in this car, as is present here. And it is a really tight car in good condition. Too bad, disappointing.

So nothing else to check?
Thanks Joe

[joe_padavano]

Keep in mind that the Jag has a real frame. The Y-body cars (along with the Corvair) were GM’s first production unibody cars. They had a lot of learning to do. With the roof cut off, there isn’t a lot of structure between the firewall and the rear quarters – just the rocker panels and those two little “frame rails” that are spot welded to the bottom of the floor pan.

[62cutlassconvert]

Yeah, I know, gotta accept the “vilntageness” I guess, still a little disappointing there’s so much shake. Had some early 60s Alfa converts that were unibody with frame stiffners and they were good as I recall. The Etype is a hybrid, full unibody with very deep sills firewall back with the front end a tube frame bolted to the firewall so I see your point. Too bad GM didn’t learn when the lessons were out there but that’s how the US lost the market to Japan in the 70s too.

[62oldsf85]

Joe, as usual, is correct. Completely rebuilt front end on mine and you get that, it seems. At least I do.

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