Handling
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 9
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From: Autaugaville AL
Handling
A Vette Newby here. I need some input from some old hats.
My 91 really dances, pulls and darts when I drive over uneven pavement. It's really bad where big trucks have made ruts and road snakes in the asphalt. Is this something I've got to live with or could I have shock or tire problems?
My 91 really dances, pulls and darts when I drive over uneven pavement. It's really bad where big trucks have made ruts and road snakes in the asphalt. Is this something I've got to live with or could I have shock or tire problems?
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,833
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From: Orange County California
Can you give us some more info? Like what you think the problem might be? Tires, wheels, steering, suspension, shocks, alignment... It could be any of those things. Where are you from? If theres a knowledgable member close by, Im sure they would mind taking a look at it for you.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 18,721
Likes: 708
From: Bergen County, NJ
Originally Posted by Luna
My 91 really dances, pulls and darts when I drive over uneven pavement. It's really bad where big trucks have made ruts and road snakes in the asphalt. Is this something I've got to live with or could I have shock or tire problems?
But I think that C4's "sideslip" [I think thats the word], when making fast curves over bumpy road. I know mine does.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 27
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From: IRVING TX
i have had this same problem and i think there is a post on here somewhere about coil over suspensions and it touches on the sidestep
I know my '89 coupe does it here in Dallas home of the biggest pot holes in America.
Kevin
I know my '89 coupe does it here in Dallas home of the biggest pot holes in America.
Kevin
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 89
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From: Sachse TX
Originally Posted by KEVS_L98
i have had this same problem and i think there is a post on here somewhere about coil over suspensions and it touches on the sidestep
I know my '89 coupe does it here in Dallas home of the biggest pot holes in America.
Kevin
I know my '89 coupe does it here in Dallas home of the biggest pot holes in America.
Kevin
My car does pull on some of these roads...I noticed it more when I put wider tires on the front....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,818
Likes: 2
From: Alive and well in Burlington NC
As Ken stated, alot of it has to do with wheels,tires and suspension. The General tried to address this "issue" in later models (92-96) by softening the FE1 Soft ride suspension an using a 17 x 8.5 rim in the front (vs the 17 x 9.5 rim on all corners). My 91 does the same thing. It's the nature of the beast.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,794
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From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
How is your front end aligned?
My '88 "tramlined" alot ( followed the ruts) . Following up on a number of posts, I had the front end aligned to Advanced Street settings and the problem was almost completely eliminated.
I got the settings from the web site http://www.vbandp.com/instruct/align.htm
Good luck
My '88 "tramlined" alot ( followed the ruts) . Following up on a number of posts, I had the front end aligned to Advanced Street settings and the problem was almost completely eliminated.
I got the settings from the web site http://www.vbandp.com/instruct/align.htm
Good luck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,556
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From: Jenison MI
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
what is your front tire size?
My car is aligned and it still does what yours does. But I know that it's from the 275's I have up front. It didn't do that when I had the 255's up there.
My car is aligned and it still does what yours does. But I know that it's from the 275's I have up front. It didn't do that when I had the 255's up there.
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,345
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Beside checking the car's alignment, you may need new shocks.
Beyond that, wide tires & stiff suspensions contribute to the 'nervousness' of a Corvette. You'll never eliminate it completely.
Larry
Beyond that, wide tires & stiff suspensions contribute to the 'nervousness' of a Corvette. You'll never eliminate it completely.
Larry
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,032
Likes: 4
Originally Posted by fsr402
what is your front tire size?
My car is aligned and it still does what yours does. But I know that it's from the 275's I have up front. It didn't do that when I had the 255's up there.
My car is aligned and it still does what yours does. But I know that it's from the 275's I have up front. It didn't do that when I had the 255's up there.
Those wide tires are gonna find the groves in the rode...
Try finding a newer/smoother rode... do you experience the same problems?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Autaugaville AL
Continuation to my earlier post.
I live in the Montgomery AL area. She has Sumitomo (315/35ZR17 Rear - 275/40ZR17 Front) tires and Bilstein shocks. The suspension/steering is tight. An alignment is on the agenda, "IF" I can find someone who knows what he's doing. A few years ago (18 acually) I was an ASE certified technician working for Porsce,Audi, VW dealerships. So...when I ask a Chevy dealer if they can align my Vette and I get an answer like.."Do you align the rear end on those?"....I tend to shy away. From all the replies I've determined that my concern is basically the "nature of the beast". But I'm going to change shocks and get her aligned anyway. Thanks ya'll for all the input.
I live in the Montgomery AL area. She has Sumitomo (315/35ZR17 Rear - 275/40ZR17 Front) tires and Bilstein shocks. The suspension/steering is tight. An alignment is on the agenda, "IF" I can find someone who knows what he's doing. A few years ago (18 acually) I was an ASE certified technician working for Porsce,Audi, VW dealerships. So...when I ask a Chevy dealer if they can align my Vette and I get an answer like.."Do you align the rear end on those?"....I tend to shy away. From all the replies I've determined that my concern is basically the "nature of the beast". But I'm going to change shocks and get her aligned anyway. Thanks ya'll for all the input.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,556
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From: Jenison MI
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
yup the 275's will do that. If you were to put on the 245's that the C5's run you would not have this problem anymore.
I like my 275's to much to do that, so I'll just hold onto the wheel a little better.
I like my 275's to much to do that, so I'll just hold onto the wheel a little better.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
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From: El Paso Texas
Originally Posted by Luna
. So...when I ask a Chevy dealer if they can align my Vette and I get an answer like.."Do you align the rear end on those?"....I tend to shy away. .
It does seem to be the nature of the beast, but you can reduce it. Explain the crowning problem to your alignment tech, and he may be able to recommend some different toe settings to address the issue. Also play with your tire pressures and see if changing them helps reduce it.
Good luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Just before I had new rubber installed on my '88 I was beginning to notice some wandering on grooved highways.
After the new 275/40 Eagles went on around, along with a stock spec. 4-wheel alignment, tracking is dead on.
Check tread depth and replace if it's time, check inflation and 4-wheel alignment.
After the new 275/40 Eagles went on around, along with a stock spec. 4-wheel alignment, tracking is dead on.
Check tread depth and replace if it's time, check inflation and 4-wheel alignment.
