Handling feels a bit squirrely
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 0
From: The Usual Suspects Yorba Linda Chapter
Handling feels a bit squirrely
Just got 2 new rear tires on the C5. Michelin Pilot sport AS ZP. Had the same before. Replaced rears only. Still have good tread on the front.
Now it feels a little like the car is floating. Also on hard braking the rear end does not feel as stable as before. Hard cornering is also a bit flaky.
Any ideas?
Now it feels a little like the car is floating. Also on hard braking the rear end does not feel as stable as before. Hard cornering is also a bit flaky.
Any ideas?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 0
From: The Usual Suspects Yorba Linda Chapter
Mine has gotten much better over time. I don't drive the car daily anymore (picked up a daily driver), so I don't add to the miles all that much....but as the miles add up the problem is getting much less of an issue. Maybe it's just due to the new tread as compared to the less amount of tread on the front. I'm at about 4/32 on the front.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,799
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
St. Jude Donor '08
Just got 2 new rear tires on the C5. Michelin Pilot sport AS ZP. Had the same before. Replaced rears only. Still have good tread on the front.
Now it feels a little like the car is floating. Also on hard braking the rear end does not feel as stable as before. Hard cornering is also a bit flaky.
Any ideas?
Now it feels a little like the car is floating. Also on hard braking the rear end does not feel as stable as before. Hard cornering is also a bit flaky.
Any ideas?
Here is why I ask. New rubber is fresh and has better grip than old rubber because as tires are used and aged they get harder. It sounds like your rear tires are gripping better now relative to the fronts. When you brake you want the fronts to lock up before the rears but with the greater traction in the rear now they maybe doing more of the braking than before.
You may be getting understeer in turns because the front tires have less grip than the rears.
Just an idea.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 84
Likes: 1
Mine has gotten much better over time. I don't drive the car daily anymore (picked up a daily driver), so I don't add to the miles all that much....but as the miles add up the problem is getting much less of an issue. Maybe it's just due to the new tread as compared to the less amount of tread on the front. I'm at about 4/32 on the front.
I don't daily drive mine either so I'll probably notice it for while
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 0
From: The Usual Suspects Yorba Linda Chapter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
You mentioned, "had the same before," does that mean just EMTs or the exact same Michelin tire?
They are directional tires are then installed correctly?
Re-check that tread on the fronts are you sure they are still good? This may be because of the difference.
I'm running the same tire, and don't get that behavior at all.
They are directional tires are then installed correctly?
Re-check that tread on the fronts are you sure they are still good? This may be because of the difference.
I'm running the same tire, and don't get that behavior at all.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Niagara Region Ontario
I just put brand new Toyo TR1's at all four corners and it feels squirrely in the corners too. The rear slide out like nothing. And yes the air pressure is correct. Maybe they just need time time break in.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,046
Likes: 324
From: Lynnwood Washington
It's called tread squirm. When you have a new tire with deeper tread blocks they move around because they are not as stable when they are deeper (taller). As they wear down they (tread blocks) are not as tall and stabilize (get stiffer). I think you will get used to it as you drive it more. The only other option is to throw some new fronts on it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,167
Likes: 5
From: Holly Ridge North Carolina
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 0
From: The Usual Suspects Yorba Linda Chapter
You mentioned, "had the same before," does that mean just EMTs or the exact same Michelin tire?
They are directional tires are then installed correctly?
Re-check that tread on the fronts are you sure they are still good? This may be because of the difference.
I'm running the same tire, and don't get that behavior at all.
They are directional tires are then installed correctly?
Re-check that tread on the fronts are you sure they are still good? This may be because of the difference.
I'm running the same tire, and don't get that behavior at all.
I'll double check the directionality of the tires.
Just measured front tread depth at 4/32.
thanks for the input!
