Odd problem on the highway.. Is this normal?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,178
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From: Bahston Mass.
Odd problem on the highway.. Is this normal?
I've been noticing this more and more each day - Now I'm at the point that I'm wondering if I'm LOOKING for something to be wrong.
Ok, when I'm on the highway, doing 65, if the roads turning gradually to the left, and I hit a small bump, the wheel kind of pulls to the right(steering wheel). Today I noticed it about 10X in a row, the wheel will MOVE in my hands when I'm driving, and the car feels like hell. I've got a Camber Brace, and fairly new shocks, so now it's got me concerned.. This has got to be more then "belt steer" like NTB told me I had(285's in the front). The wheel just doesn't feel TIGHT like it should... Any suggestions???
Ok, when I'm on the highway, doing 65, if the roads turning gradually to the left, and I hit a small bump, the wheel kind of pulls to the right(steering wheel). Today I noticed it about 10X in a row, the wheel will MOVE in my hands when I'm driving, and the car feels like hell. I've got a Camber Brace, and fairly new shocks, so now it's got me concerned.. This has got to be more then "belt steer" like NTB told me I had(285's in the front). The wheel just doesn't feel TIGHT like it should... Any suggestions???
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Re: Odd problem on the highway.. Is this normal? (JB666)
Those are very wide front tires... they'll magnify any bad effects, whether it be misalignment, or toe out (which is good for racing).
I assume your suspension is stock, so it can't be bump steer. My vette doesn't track as well as before, and the steering wheels likes to follow lumps in the road ever since I put 1/8" of toe out. I only have 255s though.
I assume your suspension is stock, so it can't be bump steer. My vette doesn't track as well as before, and the steering wheels likes to follow lumps in the road ever since I put 1/8" of toe out. I only have 255s though.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Bahston Mass.
Re: Odd problem on the highway.. Is this normal? (CentralCoaster)
Those are very wide front tires... they'll magnify any bad effects, whether it be misalignment, or toe out (which is good for racing).
I assume your suspension is stock, so it can't be bump steer. My vette doesn't track as well as before, and the steering wheels likes to follow lumps in the road ever since I put 1/8" of toe out. I only have 255s though.
I assume your suspension is stock, so it can't be bump steer. My vette doesn't track as well as before, and the steering wheels likes to follow lumps in the road ever since I put 1/8" of toe out. I only have 255s though.
One thing I am curious on, you say factory suspensions can't have bump steer?? Isn't that associated most with lowered suspensions/wider tires? If that's the case, I'm only 50% there(wide tires), but I've lowered the rear a little over an inch.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Fairmont WV
Re: Odd problem on the highway.. Is this normal? (JB666)
On my 94 Corvette with 285"s all around the steering wheel is tight. If I hit a bump like you are describing I do notice maybe a little movement, but basically the whole car moves a little. I would not think that the steering wheel should feel loose.
Believe there is something about this in the achives. Yes there is, Type in "steering wheel" in the archived topics.
Believe there is something about this in the achives. Yes there is, Type in "steering wheel" in the archived topics.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Bahston Mass.
Re: Odd problem on the highway.. Is this normal? (Richard G)
I'll go check it out now - Thanks! 
For the record, my wheel does feel loose.. It jumps to the opposite direction that I'm driving, then jumps back to the direction I'm going.. All in about a seconds time.
Edit: Well, I check out the post(s) I think you were referring to. Unfortunately, most are chiming in that either new shocks, or a Camber Brace will alleviate the problems. In my case, both of those have been done, and the car is aligned... That's why I'm confused, the front end SHOULD be a lot tighter then this. I'm 1/2 tempted to stop at a dealership and test drive another 95-96 just to see how it feels!!!
[Modified by JB666, 9:41 PM 6/23/2004]
For the record, my wheel does feel loose.. It jumps to the opposite direction that I'm driving, then jumps back to the direction I'm going.. All in about a seconds time.
Edit: Well, I check out the post(s) I think you were referring to. Unfortunately, most are chiming in that either new shocks, or a Camber Brace will alleviate the problems. In my case, both of those have been done, and the car is aligned... That's why I'm confused, the front end SHOULD be a lot tighter then this. I'm 1/2 tempted to stop at a dealership and test drive another 95-96 just to see how it feels!!!
[Modified by JB666, 9:41 PM 6/23/2004]
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Denham Springs Louisiana
Re: Odd problem on the highway.. Is this normal? (JB666)
Hey JB...my Vette does the same thing while in a curve...the steering wheel kinda jumps. What's weird is that the car doesn't seem to jump...just the steering wheel. I've seen others on here talk about it...maybe with the stiff suspension of the Vette...it just does that...who knows? My wife's Honda Accord sport coupe does it a little...a lot less force though. 
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
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Re: Odd problem on the highway.. Is this normal? (TorchRedXCVI)
Hey JB...my Vette does the same thing while in a curve...the steering wheel kinda jumps. What's weird is that the car doesn't seem to jump...just the steering wheel. I've seen others on here talk about it...maybe with the stiff suspension of the Vette...it just does that...who knows? My wife's Honda Accord sport coupe does it a little...a lot less force though.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 10,864
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From: Southern CA
Re: Odd problem on the highway.. Is this normal? (vader86)
Cowl shake? Trolly tracking? If it feels tight on smooth flat track it's prolly those 285's on the front. Magnify everything. Borrow a friends 255's & compare.
[Modified by froggy47, 10:57 PM 6/23/2004]
[Modified by froggy47, 10:57 PM 6/23/2004]
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Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Re: Odd problem on the highway.. Is this normal? (froggy47)
I wasn't saying factory suspensions don't have bump steer, actually they do, when the suspension is compressed, the steering tie rods get effectively shorter.
Basically, I was just saying, your bump steer won't be any different from factory (which never posed a problem) You'd have to rework lots of stuff to affect the bump steer.
Maybe you have a dead shock or something.. Beats me. I was told the only way to identify a dead shock from the drivers seat, is to remove one.. and drive without it so you get familiar with how it affects the car.
Basically, I was just saying, your bump steer won't be any different from factory (which never posed a problem) You'd have to rework lots of stuff to affect the bump steer.
Maybe you have a dead shock or something.. Beats me. I was told the only way to identify a dead shock from the drivers seat, is to remove one.. and drive without it so you get familiar with how it affects the car.
Race Director
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Re: Odd problem on the highway.. Is this normal? (JB666)
How long have you had the 285's and what did you have on there before? Factory 255's?
In 1993 GM started with the 255/285 combo instead of 275's all the way around. This was to make the car more "street friendly" by reducing tracking and such. The problem is that, according to all the automobile mags anyway, it played hell with the car's handling and made it a lot more twitchy and unpredictable in the handling department. GM continued to offer 275's all the way around as part of the performance handling package.
I'm willing to bet that there is absolutely nothing wrong with your car, rather you're just not used to the new setup. Somebody with a 92 or older would probably think it drives just fine.
In 1993 GM started with the 255/285 combo instead of 275's all the way around. This was to make the car more "street friendly" by reducing tracking and such. The problem is that, according to all the automobile mags anyway, it played hell with the car's handling and made it a lot more twitchy and unpredictable in the handling department. GM continued to offer 275's all the way around as part of the performance handling package.
I'm willing to bet that there is absolutely nothing wrong with your car, rather you're just not used to the new setup. Somebody with a 92 or older would probably think it drives just fine.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,178
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From: Bahston Mass.
Re: Odd problem on the highway.. Is this normal? (Nathan Plemons)
Yup, before these, I had the 255's. I put the 285/315 combo on last Spring, but I REALLY don't drive the car that much. Lately, I've been going from my truck, to the Mustang, to the Vette and have been noticing this. This morning, I noticed my air pressure running at 35 lbs cold, so I drove to work, taking note of what it was doing. I'm going to lower to 32 at lunch and see if I notice a difference..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Re: Odd problem on the highway.. Is this normal? (JB666)
Any chance it is bump steer from the frame flexing. My 1996 will do this when
I hit a bump. When on the highway and I hit a bump on the right, the car
wants to go right. I thought it was the frame flexing.
I hit a bump. When on the highway and I hit a bump on the right, the car
wants to go right. I thought it was the frame flexing.
