C4 Handling
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Fraser MI
C4 Handling
I have noticed that while on the freeway my
new to me '93/conv, FX3, will just want to
change lanes. Anything over 65 and the car
will suddenly drift to the left.
Now I have a "service suspension" light that
has been coded as a bad shock/actuator on the left
front. Had the actuator rebuilt by Aaron and
now have 2 new shocks for the front but not
yet installed.
I know this sounds like the no brainer reason
for the car doing this. However I think it's just
the adjustable part of the shock that is not working
and is otherwise doing fine. So after shock replacement
and erasing error code what would you folks
recommend? Four wheel alignment probably is
next step?
Car is otherwise fine at lower speeds.
Thanks,
Craig
new to me '93/conv, FX3, will just want to
change lanes. Anything over 65 and the car
will suddenly drift to the left.
Now I have a "service suspension" light that
has been coded as a bad shock/actuator on the left
front. Had the actuator rebuilt by Aaron and
now have 2 new shocks for the front but not
yet installed.
I know this sounds like the no brainer reason
for the car doing this. However I think it's just
the adjustable part of the shock that is not working
and is otherwise doing fine. So after shock replacement
and erasing error code what would you folks
recommend? Four wheel alignment probably is
next step?
Car is otherwise fine at lower speeds.
Thanks,
Craig
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,281
Likes: 50
From: Jacksonville, FL
St. Jude Donor '08 thru '25
I'm no mechanic so take my thoughts for what they're worth. On my C4 it has a tendency to "go with the crown" if it is "severe". It will for sure get caught in seams on concrete roads & if there are big ruts in asphalt with the 275's up front.
How is it on a flat road? Is the shock leaking badly, like really down on fluid? Other than those things...alignment & are the calipers okay, not sticking? Otherwise I'm with you on the new shocks & the alignment.
How is it on a flat road? Is the shock leaking badly, like really down on fluid? Other than those things...alignment & are the calipers okay, not sticking? Otherwise I'm with you on the new shocks & the alignment.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: MD
The adj. suspension shouldn't have anything to do with it. Once an actuator goes, the whole adj. susp. sys. shuts down and cannot be switched. However I had an 87 that needed a 4-wheel alignment. Only way I knew was when I would hit joints in concrete pavement, the rear would kick to one side. Once the alignment was done, that stopped.
I also agree that because of the wide tires on these cars, they can sometimes track the crown in the road.
I also agree that because of the wide tires on these cars, they can sometimes track the crown in the road.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Tramlining is the tendency of a car to follow ruts in the road.
It can be mitigated with changes in alignment settings.
I use VBandP "Advance Street settings" It virtually eliminated my tramlinning issues
http://www.vbandp.com/instructions/h...ruct/align.htm
It can be mitigated with changes in alignment settings.
I use VBandP "Advance Street settings" It virtually eliminated my tramlinning issues
http://www.vbandp.com/instructions/h...ruct/align.htm
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Originally Posted by mrmoore
The adj. suspension shouldn't have anything to do with it.
One bad shock...on any suspension...will not cause a sudden darting to one side.
I'd look at alignment (front and rear), ball joints, toe rods, tie rods, wheel bearings, and tires...in that order. Take the car to a good alignment shop and have them check these things.
Good luck and tell us what you find to be the cause.
Larry
code5coupe
Racer
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: Allen TX
I just had my car aligned using the VB&P advanced street settings and it definitely made a big difference...feels more secure at any speed and around corners. I think my old alignment was way out of wack.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 26,598
Likes: 0
From: Hampton, VA Yea, i'm a redneck... but you love it
Cruise-In 8-9 Veteran
aka/Trunk Monkey/Banned For Life/Corvette For Life
Originally Posted by 94Controller
I just had my car aligned using the VB&P advanced street settings and it definitely made a big difference...feels more secure at any speed and around corners. I think my old alignment was way out of wack.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Fraser MI
Wow, thanks guys!
I think the pavement has a lot to do with it and it does
also seem to happen when I stop accellerating. Gotta
keep both hands firmly on the wheel.
Will go to the alignment shop. Anyone know the best one
on the east side of Detroit?
Craig
I think the pavement has a lot to do with it and it does
also seem to happen when I stop accellerating. Gotta
keep both hands firmly on the wheel.
Will go to the alignment shop. Anyone know the best one
on the east side of Detroit?
Craig
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 920
Likes: 1
From: Shelby Township Michigan
How new or worn are your tires? Have you checked the air pressure on all (4) of them?
You can try a place called Jakes Automotive located in Sterling Heights. I don't know of any placed directly in Detroit.
Good luck,
Dino
You can try a place called Jakes Automotive located in Sterling Heights. I don't know of any placed directly in Detroit.
Good luck,
Dino
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 62
From: Columbia SC
I recently had the same issue with my 96 vert. I started with a 4 wheel allignment. Still drifted to the left. Pulled the tires off the front and swapped them for test only, yes I realize they are directional, and low and behold when I did it now pulled to the right. Put them back on the right side, went to the local tire Firestone dealer who pronounced that I had a bad left front. The tires were Firestone Firehawk SZ50's, which are now discontinued and have been replaced by the Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval. So after some dealing and a quote from tire rack the Firestone dealer matched the tirerack price and gave me a 50% credit on the bad tire.
Two new tires on the front and my baby now tracks stright and true, and the little drift left or right from the crown of the road is not a car problem its the road which is made like that for water run off.
Two new tires on the front and my baby now tracks stright and true, and the little drift left or right from the crown of the road is not a car problem its the road which is made like that for water run off.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
I'm having this issue. I just drive from CA to VA. My 95 goes to the right. I tried everything and still pulls. A CF member told me that it may have a bent frame 
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
From: Newport News VA
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Originally Posted by tomtom72
I'm no mechanic so take my thoughts for what they're worth. On my C4 it has a tendency to "go with the crown" if it is "severe". It will for sure get caught in seams on concrete roads & if there are big ruts in asphalt with the 275's up front.
How is it on a flat road? Is the shock leaking badly, like really down on fluid? Other than those things...alignment & are the calipers okay, not sticking? Otherwise I'm with you on the new shocks & the alignment.
How is it on a flat road? Is the shock leaking badly, like really down on fluid? Other than those things...alignment & are the calipers okay, not sticking? Otherwise I'm with you on the new shocks & the alignment.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Fraser MI
I live in Fraser a neighbor of Sterling Hgts.
Jakes, I will give them a call.
The front tires are a year old and Goodyears, rear tires new
Goodyears. Bout 2-3k on the fronts, they seem to be wearing
evenly.
First I will get the shocks in and go directly for a 4 wheel
alignment.
Craig
Jakes, I will give them a call.
The front tires are a year old and Goodyears, rear tires new
Goodyears. Bout 2-3k on the fronts, they seem to be wearing
evenly.
First I will get the shocks in and go directly for a 4 wheel
alignment.
Craig
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
Originally Posted by PLRX787
I'm having this issue. I just drive from CA to VA. My 95 goes to the right. I tried everything and still pulls. A CF member told me that it may have a bent frame
If he is right then you should have bad inside wear on your left steer tire and bad wear on outside of the right steer tire. I assume a good alignment shop has confirmed the bent frame theory? Your vette looks too nice to have such a problem.
Cruising
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: HoCo Maryland
It sounds like your tires are pretty new. What did you last set look like when you took them off?
Bent frame--it takes a lot to do this. You'd remember the incident, or it'd probably show up on a VIN report.