Why did GM go to front steer in the mid 70's?

[aggressive male]

I was just wondering, is front steer always better than rear steer? If so is it a lot better? I was looking back at old threads where people ask how to convert to front steer and I was wondering if it is done just so it will clear the oil pan of a different engine or if they do it so maybe the car has less steering slop?

[matthimself456]

In a perfect world with no flex in bushings or linkages the only difference is in packaging. In the real world, however, a front-steer configuration will convert and small deflections in steering linkages or control arms into a slight understeer condition. Rear steer will oversteer slightly given the same deflections. Generally understeer is less disconcerting to the driver and easier to get used to. General Motor's reasoning was probably mostly for packaging but there is the engineering behind it.

[David Pozzi]

There is a retired Saginaw engineer who posts over on Team Chevelle, and Team Camaro. He mentioned GM having some problems aligning the steering column and steering boxes on rear steer cars like the first gen Camaro. The front steer cars are much more forgiving about steering shaft alignment because the shaft is so long.

Long ago I recall reading that front steer linkage is generally in tension and rear steer is under compression. Tension has less deflection.
David

[MonzaRacer]

The tension and deflection was one way but also GM was getting the steering linkage angles on a smoother plane AND it made room for bigger oil pans and less clearance problems for exhaust mods.
Many cars got things changed, but as a front end tech I have seen another thing, with a more positive caster design fromt end the rear steer would have came under a weird stress cycle and it doesnt make a good handling car either.
I had a lady drive into the parking lot with a tie rod dragging loose on the ground and she was driving straight down the road.
She couldnt turn but it drove straight ok.
This is the design of the front end. If you break a tie rod on front wheel drive it will toe out and lock, most older cront steer cars will still naturally steer straight unless acted upon by a greater force.
Partially its packaging and partially it helps on handling. The ability to build proper handing into the steering linkage and to achieve proper toe out on turns etc. is much better on a front steer set up.
With out putting up some very detailed engineering diagrams its hard really explain but front steer is a better idea.
Good luck.