Another Bump Steer/Shock Question
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2004
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From: Santa Maria CA
Another Bump Steer/Shock Question
I just got back from taking the Vette on a 400 mile trip, mostly freeway driving. I noticed a lot of what I think is called "Bump Steer" when I hit bumps and broken pavement. It's really very annoying to be driving along and feel the front of car get very loose and seem to jump around when hitting rough spots in the road. This car does it more than any other I've had including a couple c3's.
Does anyone know if the shocks may be causing this problem? My car is a 96 LT4 with base suspension and 55k miles. When I bought the car the original Bilsteins were removed because the owner thought they were too floaty. The car now has Gabriel Pro Ryders. The ride is not bad, maybe a little stiff but I'm wondering if putting on Bilstein Sport shocks will help with the Bump Steer. Does anyone have any experience with this? Thanks for any advice you can give me.
Does anyone know if the shocks may be causing this problem? My car is a 96 LT4 with base suspension and 55k miles. When I bought the car the original Bilsteins were removed because the owner thought they were too floaty. The car now has Gabriel Pro Ryders. The ride is not bad, maybe a little stiff but I'm wondering if putting on Bilstein Sport shocks will help with the Bump Steer. Does anyone have any experience with this? Thanks for any advice you can give me.
Last edited by Fick; Jan 27, 2006 at 11:44 PM.
Le Mans Master
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From: Myrtle Beach SC
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
From what I have read the main cause is either alignment or worn parts and not necessarily shocks.If you have a zero toe on the front try going to 1/32 toe in it is supposed to help.
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
This is not really what's called 'bump steer', but I know the problem you're describing. Bump steer is a condition that more or less of, is designed into the basic geometry of a given suspension system because of the compromises necessary for a certain purpose. Any system though, can be adjusted and/or modified to reduce this effect. Bump steer is the effect that a given amount of suspension travel has on the steering geometry while a car is cornering. This being said, it's quite possible that worn or inadequate shocks could be causing the problem you describe.
Team Owner
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From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I'd bet on all or a combo of all the suggestions above. First, you've got a (close to) ten year old set of Gabriel shocks. They may or may not be working as they did in the beginning. Second, as red sez, you could have worn parts (equally as likely as worn shocks) which could be reacting in combo with worn shocks. Finally, you don't mention if your alignment's been done recently, but I'd guess probably not. Most people don't check/change their alignment until there's a problem, such as the one you're having or worn tires, replace shocks, etc. Final-finally, how old are your tires and what condition are they in? It could be they're past their prime even if lots of tread is showing. Tell us how it all turns out.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 712
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From: Santa Maria CA
Thanks for the help; your responses may have saved me $300 on shocks that won't solve the problem. I think that I should first have the suspension checked and an alignment done. Hopefully the tires are ok, they're Pilot Sports with plenty of wear left. Now I just need to find the time and right place to take it.
Team Owner
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Originally Posted by Fick
The car now has Gabriel Pro Ryders.
Read this post
Last edited by JrRifleCoach; Jan 28, 2006 at 12:22 AM.
Le Mans Master
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From: Myrtle Beach SC
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
One last piece of advice.I replaced the shocks,balljoints and tie rods but still had this issue.It was solved by the RD Crossframe.The Cowl shake/flex was what was allowing the car to wander on rough roads.The Crossframe really tightened it up.
Le Mans Master
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
All of the above will contribute to your condiction. Our cars have a condiction called frame/body flex. There are many products that will correct this problem. Crossbrace/crossframe brace will stiffen up the frame. What worked for me was purchasing a harness brace. Once installed, the condiction stopped. Good luck.
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by elefkow
All of the above will contribute to your condiction. Our cars have a condiction called frame/body flex. There are many products that will correct this problem. Crossbrace/crossframe brace will stiffen up the frame. What worked for me was purchasing a harness brace. Once installed, the condiction stopped. Good luck.
should be here in a few days. I'm totally pumped about that! Anything that stiffens the frame is a tremendous asset to handling. It helps to take chassis flex out of the equation and lets the suspension do the job it was designed for in a more predictable and precise manner.