[Z06] Alignment issues....woes up the a**
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
From: Moon Valley AZ
Alignment issues....woes up the a**
Some of you have followed my thread about alignment issues, and I just recently put on a set of 18/19s, and now the issue is even more pronounced. The alignment shop claims its done the job right, to spec, and I am at a loss. I have to constantly (CONSTANTLY) make corrections to the steering wheel. Upon accelleration/decellaration, as well as downshifting, the car yanks to the left/right, as if following the grooves in the road. It makes me look like a drunk driver, and I have to keep both hands on the steering wheel. My set-up.
Front bushings cut, new rear bolts.
18s with 245/45/18s up front
19s with 295/35/19s rear
Again, they claim its dead-on spec, but even the steering wheel is "cocked" a bit to one side. Anyone else experience this? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Alex
Front bushings cut, new rear bolts.
18s with 245/45/18s up front
19s with 295/35/19s rear
Again, they claim its dead-on spec, but even the steering wheel is "cocked" a bit to one side. Anyone else experience this? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Alex
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,003
Likes: 89
From: Indy IN
What you are describing is called "tramlining" and it is generally associated with a lot of toe out in the front or, more likely in your case, in the back.
The give-away is the ying/yanging going on with power on/off. That is indicative of something out of whack in the rear suspension, and it is resulting in toe change. It could be toe'd out in the back or it could be a bad bushing that is allowing your toe to change, and it doesn't show up since it isn't moving when the car is on the rack.
I would be looking for something loose in a bushing or tie rod end that is allowing your toe to change.....
The rear toe link is behind the wheel, so if, say the right rear tie rod end is loose, then the right rear wheel is going to steer to the left under power, and the car will dart right. Conversely, under deceleration it will toe the rear wheel out and that will pull the tail to the right and the car will dart left... Figure out what it is doing and then look for something loose that will give you that response....
The give-away is the ying/yanging going on with power on/off. That is indicative of something out of whack in the rear suspension, and it is resulting in toe change. It could be toe'd out in the back or it could be a bad bushing that is allowing your toe to change, and it doesn't show up since it isn't moving when the car is on the rack.
I would be looking for something loose in a bushing or tie rod end that is allowing your toe to change.....
The rear toe link is behind the wheel, so if, say the right rear tie rod end is loose, then the right rear wheel is going to steer to the left under power, and the car will dart right. Conversely, under deceleration it will toe the rear wheel out and that will pull the tail to the right and the car will dart left... Figure out what it is doing and then look for something loose that will give you that response....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,003
Likes: 89
From: Indy IN
Also a second thought...
You are obviously lowered,,,,,, a lot.....
How does the car ride?
Do you have stock shocks on it?
If you are on the bump stops in the back that could cause exactly what you are feeling. If you find the ride rough, you are likely on the rear bump stops. That's a
If you are that low you seriously need shorter shocks than stock....
You are obviously lowered,,,,,, a lot.....
How does the car ride?
Do you have stock shocks on it?
If you are on the bump stops in the back that could cause exactly what you are feeling. If you find the ride rough, you are likely on the rear bump stops. That's a
If you are that low you seriously need shorter shocks than stock....
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
From: Moon Valley AZ
Thank you for your help. It is lowered, but not hammerred (still plenty of gap left even with the 295/35s in the rear). This "tramlining" as you call it describes it perfectly. I will have a different shop take a look at the toe changes, and see if they can hunt it down.
Thanks
Alex
PS I will post as to what a different shop has found.
Thanks
Alex
PS I will post as to what a different shop has found.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Chandler AZ
I dont know where Moon Valley is, but Bob Jordan's alignment in Scottsdale is a really good place to go. On my other car I have basically full race suspension and it is hammered, and after they were done with it, it drives straighter than any lowered car I have ever driven. Stock-like
