Lane drift on the highway
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 142
Likes: 2
From: Centerport NY
Lane drift on the highway
I have a 1990 C4 with 62k miles on it. When I change lanes on the highway and go over the joint between the lanes, the front wheels tend to track on the joint slghtly until crossing into the adjacent lane. Other than that the steering is tight but the front wheels sometimes wonder a little when I go over a bump. A little scary when I'm on on the gas!
When I have experienced this before with other vehicles, it has been the upper control arm bushings that require replacement.
Are the upper control arm bushings the most likely culprits or are there other items in the front end that may cause this? Which component would be the best to start with?
Thanks
When I have experienced this before with other vehicles, it has been the upper control arm bushings that require replacement.
Are the upper control arm bushings the most likely culprits or are there other items in the front end that may cause this? Which component would be the best to start with?
Thanks
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 509
Likes: 8
From: Livonia Michigan
What size rim front and back? I have 9.5 all around and have heard that can cause the "tracking".
I have a 1990 C4 with 62k miles on it. When I change lanes on the highway and go over the joint between the lanes, the front wheels tend to track on the joint slghtly until crossing into the adjacent lane. Other than that the steering is tight but the front wheels sometimes wonder a little when I go over a bump. A little scary when I'm on on the gas!
When I have experienced this before with other vehicles, it has been the upper control arm bushings that require replacement.
Are the upper control arm bushings the most likely culprits or are there other items in the front end that may cause this? Which component would be the best to start with?
Thanks
When I have experienced this before with other vehicles, it has been the upper control arm bushings that require replacement.
Are the upper control arm bushings the most likely culprits or are there other items in the front end that may cause this? Which component would be the best to start with?
Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 15
From: Wallingford Vermont
Easy enough to visually check suspensions parts. Jack it up. I would first look at tie rod ends for movement both outer and inner (on the rack). Front wheel bearings would be next guess, followed by ball-joints (I'm still on my OE ball joints!). Look at ALL your bushings for anything abnormal. Don't forget the rear too. How's you're alignment?
But keep in mind these cars have some w-i-d-e rubber and on certain roads will feel really quirky.
I used to commute on Rte 2 in Massachusetts. There's an area where a large construction firm exits on to the highway and their heavy equipment has worn deep grooves in the asphalt. A lane change in this area is a frightening, white knuckle experience, as a Vette (even my buddies SS Silverado) will literally LEAP out of the lane into the next
Just the nature of wide tires and our degrading highway infrastructure.
But keep in mind these cars have some w-i-d-e rubber and on certain roads will feel really quirky.
I used to commute on Rte 2 in Massachusetts. There's an area where a large construction firm exits on to the highway and their heavy equipment has worn deep grooves in the asphalt. A lane change in this area is a frightening, white knuckle experience, as a Vette (even my buddies SS Silverado) will literally LEAP out of the lane into the next
Just the nature of wide tires and our degrading highway infrastructure.
Last edited by DanZ51; Sep 4, 2012 at 11:11 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 27,118
Likes: 135
From: Montgomery, Alabama
2017 C6 of Year Finalist
Might be obvious but have you checked tire pressure? My 92 did it and when checking I found the left front down about 10#s on pressure. Had a slow leak in the tire fixed and have barely notice the tracking since.
Another possibility is that the pavement has been grooved. They have a couple sections of the interstate here in town that are grooved and that is mainly where I have been noticing the tracking lately.
Another possibility is that the pavement has been grooved. They have a couple sections of the interstate here in town that are grooved and that is mainly where I have been noticing the tracking lately.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Best to have the front & rear suspension checked.
Concentrate on the rubber bushings. Worn, oil soaked (soft) and overall condition.
Wide tires have a life of their own on uneven surfaces.
Roads that have been grooved by studded winter tires are the worst when changing lanes.
Water grooves at speed are unnerving as well.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,351
Likes: 222
From: Delta B.C. Canada
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
2015 C4 of Year Finalist
Another thing that could cause this is worn tires. On my 92 with 275's all around, nearing the end of their life, highway lane changes could get exciting. When I replaced the tires recently, the problem was almost eliminated.
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