Suggestions on stability...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 2
Suggestions on stability...
I need some advise!
I have a 94 ZF6 Vette.
When I drive it in a road that is not perfectly smooth, the car wil wander sideways. The more speed the more wandering.
It is sometimes very uncomfortable because I feel that I could hit another car sometimes.
This only happens when I am driving straight, when I am in a curve it feels stable unless there is some irregularity, and even then it does not get so uncomfortable.
The car has been aligned and it was not that bad.
Suggestions on this are really appreciated.
I have a 94 ZF6 Vette.
When I drive it in a road that is not perfectly smooth, the car wil wander sideways. The more speed the more wandering.
It is sometimes very uncomfortable because I feel that I could hit another car sometimes.
This only happens when I am driving straight, when I am in a curve it feels stable unless there is some irregularity, and even then it does not get so uncomfortable.
The car has been aligned and it was not that bad.
Suggestions on this are really appreciated.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,971
Likes: 9
From: The reason time exists is so everything doesn't happen at once
I'm not sure what you mean about the car wandering sideways, but the wide tires on these cars tend to grab any grooves in the road. I noticed when I changed the tires on my C3 from 225/70's to 255/60's that the car seemed more skittish on straight roads.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 2
I would describe it like the car moving sideways very violently and returning to a straight path. It is like if the car had a mind of his own and would decide to change lanes and inmediately return back. The sideway movement could be less than a foot.
Not confidence inspiring.
Not confidence inspiring.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
What kind of tires do you have (size. make & model),
how old are they.
How long has it been since you had a wheel
alignment? Did you get printouts of the before
and after settings - if so, what are the caster,
camber and toe specs.
How many miles on the car? Any accidents?
Any suspension mods (lowered)? What condition
are the tie rod ends, ball joints, control arm bushings
and joints on the intermediate shaft between the
column and the steering rack?
.
how old are they.
How long has it been since you had a wheel
alignment? Did you get printouts of the before
and after settings - if so, what are the caster,
camber and toe specs.
How many miles on the car? Any accidents?
Any suspension mods (lowered)? What condition
are the tie rod ends, ball joints, control arm bushings
and joints on the intermediate shaft between the
column and the steering rack?
.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Check for:
-cracked broken rear spring
-worn front tires
-tire inflation (try 35psi around)
-play in front steering/suspension
Get a good 4-wheel alignment.
My '88 runs on 175s around at 35psi and is straight & true even on grooved roads.
-cracked broken rear spring
-worn front tires
-tire inflation (try 35psi around)
-play in front steering/suspension
Get a good 4-wheel alignment.
My '88 runs on 175s around at 35psi and is straight & true even on grooved roads.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 2
Thanks guys, there is a lot to check.
I had the alignment done some months ago and it was within specs.
They told me that everything in there was all right.
I did a visual inspection and everything looked in place ( like the springs)
I have 245/45ZR 17 Yokohamas in front, and 285/40 ZR17 Goodyears in the rear.
I have been looking around for tires, but had no luck in Mexico.
I will be installing 245/55 ZR17 Goodyears, to replace the front that are another make and are worn. They look like slicks!
I have read that I should raise the car and shke the wheels to see if there is some free play indicating worn bearings. I did that and seem ok.
So far it seems that the front wheels could be the problem.
I thought that using wider tires on the front made this problem worse.
I will look for the alignment specs to see your recomendations on it.
Thanks
I had the alignment done some months ago and it was within specs.
They told me that everything in there was all right.
I did a visual inspection and everything looked in place ( like the springs)
I have 245/45ZR 17 Yokohamas in front, and 285/40 ZR17 Goodyears in the rear.
I have been looking around for tires, but had no luck in Mexico.
I will be installing 245/55 ZR17 Goodyears, to replace the front that are another make and are worn. They look like slicks!
I have read that I should raise the car and shke the wheels to see if there is some free play indicating worn bearings. I did that and seem ok.
So far it seems that the front wheels could be the problem.
I thought that using wider tires on the front made this problem worse.
I will look for the alignment specs to see your recomendations on it.
Thanks
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
Originally Posted by Kinkajou
... it was within specs. They told me that
everything in there was all right.
everything in there was all right.
specs. Old timers and the people they trained will
dial in different values for caster and camber on each
side in a misguided effort to try to adjust for road
crown.
When you go for an alignment
- Figure out what values you want, print two copies
and give one to the technician. Before the work
starts, determine whether the shop has an issue with
doing the work your way - if they do and they can't
give you a good reason, find another shop. - Request that both sides be set the same. It is not
uncommon for cars to have more range of adjustment
on one side - still get both sides the same, just to the
common value closest to what you asked for. - Ask for printouts of the before and after alignment
values. Check the 'After' values and keep the sheets
with your records. If necessary, make changes to the
values next time you get an alignment.
Originally Posted by Kinkajou
I have 245/45ZR 17 Yokohamas in front, [they]
are worn [and they] look like slicks! I will be installing
245/55 ZR17 Goodyears to replace them.
are worn [and they] look like slicks! I will be installing
245/55 ZR17 Goodyears to replace them.
problem. I have Goodyear GS-C's and like them but
these have been discontinued. I have seen favorable
comments about GS-D3s. There is nothing particulary
wrong with Yokohama. Nitto and Kumho are other
brands to consider - good performance and pricing.
If local sources are hard to find, can you import easily
from places like the Tire Rack?
You are right about narrower tires helping to reduce
the tendency to follow road imperfections. GM
switched from symetrical tires sizes (same fr/rr) to
asymetrical in the e-90's in part to reduce wandering.
.
Last edited by Slalom4me; Oct 20, 2005 at 01:02 PM.
