Horrible Handling... HELP! :(
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Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 565
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From: Ft. Bragg, NC
Horrible Handling... HELP! :(
So I have two problems that I want to get corrected...
One being that when on the freeway and sometimes surface streets, if I hit a groove or some kind of crease parallel to my driving line with the tires... the wheels and steering wheel will act as if it wants to cut hard to the left or right (this is with a firm grip on the steering wheel)
Second being that when mostly on the freeway if I hit an unleveled surface or groove that's perpendicual to my driving line the back wheels will skip out (almost like wheel hop) and the back end of the car will get sideways, this is more common when going around turns at highway speeds
So... the car is lowered as I will be replacing the stock shocks here soon with bilsteins sports and replacing the z-51 sway bars with some T1's but what else can calm all this unwanted and uncontrolable motion? I will also raise it back up too, so it's only dropped about an inch or so. My LS1 f-body handled better than this '99 FRC
One being that when on the freeway and sometimes surface streets, if I hit a groove or some kind of crease parallel to my driving line with the tires... the wheels and steering wheel will act as if it wants to cut hard to the left or right (this is with a firm grip on the steering wheel)
Second being that when mostly on the freeway if I hit an unleveled surface or groove that's perpendicual to my driving line the back wheels will skip out (almost like wheel hop) and the back end of the car will get sideways, this is more common when going around turns at highway speeds
So... the car is lowered as I will be replacing the stock shocks here soon with bilsteins sports and replacing the z-51 sway bars with some T1's but what else can calm all this unwanted and uncontrolable motion? I will also raise it back up too, so it's only dropped about an inch or so. My LS1 f-body handled better than this '99 FRC
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,868
Likes: 770
From: Kelso Washington
St. Jude Donor '09, '13, '15
Sounds like you are experiencing common Corvette C5 idiosyncrasies with the stock suspension. Mine's the same way. A bit more tire pressure helps with grooves but I wonder if an alignment would also help. Just haven't done that yet.
The wheel hop on turns also sounds familiar. I think a change in spring rate and better shocks would improve. But I also get the feeling it's an inherent problem maybe because of the single transverse composite spring. It's just something I get ready for when I read the road right.
Hopefully some others can weigh in with suspension improvements.
The wheel hop on turns also sounds familiar. I think a change in spring rate and better shocks would improve. But I also get the feeling it's an inherent problem maybe because of the single transverse composite spring. It's just something I get ready for when I read the road right.
Hopefully some others can weigh in with suspension improvements.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 761
Likes: 1
From: Glendale, CA
You say it's lowered. The uncontrollable bounce is probably from the lowering. Get shorter shocks. You're probably hitting the bump stops.
As for following grooves in the road: get used to it. Wide front tires, aggressive allignment, it's the nature of the beast.
As for following grooves in the road: get used to it. Wide front tires, aggressive allignment, it's the nature of the beast.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,799
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
St. Jude Donor '08
The problem you are encountering with the parallel grooves is due to the wide tires, which is why you should always drive with both hands on the wheel.
The other problem appears to be suspension related. I agree with other posters about lowering being a problem. Also, since you have a 99 your sway end links are plastic. I have a 99 frc and when I put on Pfadt sway bars (nothing else done) the handling improved markedly.
What you are encountering is called bump steer. It is not wheel hop.
The other problem appears to be suspension related. I agree with other posters about lowering being a problem. Also, since you have a 99 your sway end links are plastic. I have a 99 frc and when I put on Pfadt sway bars (nothing else done) the handling improved markedly.
What you are encountering is called bump steer. It is not wheel hop.
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From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I agree - tires could be a big contributing factor....what are they and how worn out are they?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 469
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City Utah
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 7,683
Likes: 3
From: La La land cali
St. Jude Donor '09
[QUOTE=Oh 2 Fun;1563521320]Sounds like you are experiencing common Corvette C5 idiosyncrasies with the stock suspension.
Definitely C5 idiosyncrasies...
Gotta get used to it. Nature of the beast, no doubt.
Cold tires make a HUGE difference.
I always figured this stuff went with the territory. Gotta hold that wheel tight. If you are on a long drive, you will feel it.
After a few years you will be a great arm-wrestler
Definitely C5 idiosyncrasies...
You say it's lowered. The uncontrollable bounce is probably from the lowering. Get shorter shocks. You're probably hitting the bump stops.
Too low, yep!
As for following grooves in the road: get used to it. Wide front tires, aggressive allignment, it's the nature of the beast.
Too low, yep!
As for following grooves in the road: get used to it. Wide front tires, aggressive allignment, it's the nature of the beast.
The problem you are encountering with the parallel grooves is due to the wide tires, which is why you should always drive with both hands on the wheel.
The other problem appears to be suspension related. I agree with other posters about lowering being a problem. Also, since you have a 99 your sway end links are plastic. I have a 99 frc and when I put on Pfadt sway bars (nothing else done) the handling improved markedly.
What you are encountering is called bump steer. It is not wheel hop.
The other problem appears to be suspension related. I agree with other posters about lowering being a problem. Also, since you have a 99 your sway end links are plastic. I have a 99 frc and when I put on Pfadt sway bars (nothing else done) the handling improved markedly.
What you are encountering is called bump steer. It is not wheel hop.
I always figured this stuff went with the territory. Gotta hold that wheel tight. If you are on a long drive, you will feel it.
After a few years you will be a great arm-wrestler
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,628
Likes: 397
From: Madison Wi
The problem you are encountering with the parallel grooves is due to the wide tires, which is why you should always drive with both hands on the wheel.
The other problem appears to be suspension related. I agree with other posters about lowering being a problem. Also, since you have a 99 your sway end links are plastic. I have a 99 frc and when I put on Pfadt sway bars (nothing else done) the handling improved markedly.
What you are encountering is called bump steer. It is not wheel hop.
The other problem appears to be suspension related. I agree with other posters about lowering being a problem. Also, since you have a 99 your sway end links are plastic. I have a 99 frc and when I put on Pfadt sway bars (nothing else done) the handling improved markedly.
What you are encountering is called bump steer. It is not wheel hop.
Bump Steer? Really? I thought bump steer was when the suspension's design geometry was flawed in a way that causes the toe to change as the suspension moves. for example, if you push down in the nose both front wheels toe in.
This should not be a problem on a modern car with stock suspension and steering. It's a matter of correct design geometry from the factory.
That being said, I have experienced the problem the OP described and I've heard people commonly refer to it as "rut wander" because the car has a tendency to want to track poorly on badly rutted roads. As others have said, this is caused by having wide tires on the front of the car. Narrower front tires will reduce the symptoms.
Ever notice high performance cars have narrower front tires? This is one of the main reasons why. Drivability.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,050
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles CA
I had C6Z shocks put in mine and lowered at the same time. Before that handling was great, compared to my Lincoln. After that handling is awesome! I still get the wheel wanting to turn left or right sometimes. I don't know if it's the problem but I am running runflats. I will see if that changes sometime later in the year when I replace them. I just get used to the turning left or right thing. It usually happens when I slow down. In past vehicles that meant a bad wheel hub but it would always turn the same direction. My car is in good shape cause it's been at the shop a couple times and they have looked over it quite well. So I just figure it as part of the nature of the beast.
Overall with the new shocks I can feel more of the road. On a smooth road that's fine. On some crappy pothole roads it's hell. But that's part of owning a sports car. You are going to feel the road. The best part is I feel totally in control on almost any twisty road. That's really where I feel the improvement. Before it might hop a bit and just let loose too much.
Overall with the new shocks I can feel more of the road. On a smooth road that's fine. On some crappy pothole roads it's hell. But that's part of owning a sports car. You are going to feel the road. The best part is I feel totally in control on almost any twisty road. That's really where I feel the improvement. Before it might hop a bit and just let loose too much.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 7,683
Likes: 3
From: La La land cali
St. Jude Donor '09
Bump Steer? Really? I thought bump steer was when the suspension's design geometry was flawed in a way that causes the toe to change as the suspension moves. for example, if you push down in the nose both front wheels toe in.
This should not be a problem on a modern car with stock suspension and steering. It's a matter of correct design geometry from the factory.
That being said, I have experienced the problem the OP described and I've heard people commonly refer to it as "rut wander" because the car has a tendency to want to track poorly on badly rutted roads. As others have said, this is caused by having wide tires on the front of the car. Narrower front tires will reduce the symptoms.
Ever notice high performance cars have narrower front tires? This is one of the main reasons why. Drivability.
This should not be a problem on a modern car with stock suspension and steering. It's a matter of correct design geometry from the factory.
That being said, I have experienced the problem the OP described and I've heard people commonly refer to it as "rut wander" because the car has a tendency to want to track poorly on badly rutted roads. As others have said, this is caused by having wide tires on the front of the car. Narrower front tires will reduce the symptoms.
Ever notice high performance cars have narrower front tires? This is one of the main reasons why. Drivability.
Now this is a guy I would like to have answer all of my questions...
I don't wanna hijack this thread, but TRACE Z, you sound like a cool resource for info...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 866
Likes: 5
From: Jensen Beach FL
The issue of the car pulling to one side or the other on a rutted road is often referred to as “trammeling”. This is a common occurrence on all performance vehicles with wide front tires and short side walls. Basically the tires are trying to seek level ground at the top of the rut.
The other issue of the rear end skipping when hitting an expansion joint etc. is mostly caused by the runflat tires. Worn out shocks can also play a role. As noted above this condition is not “bump steer”.
The other issue of the rear end skipping when hitting an expansion joint etc. is mostly caused by the runflat tires. Worn out shocks can also play a role. As noted above this condition is not “bump steer”.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 479
Likes: 2
From: Hollywood Maryland
C6Z06 Shocks helped
Newbie with a '99FRC. DID NOT LIKE the feeling when going over grooves, bumps, etc. Read about the C6Z06 shocks as having a great design that limits some of those bad C5 handling characteristics. Ordered and installed a set. MUCH BETTER ride. Still wants too jump once and a while but a lot less surprise. Now handles most road conditions without skittishness. Much nicer car to drive. I'm running C6Z06 shocks, stock wheels/tires, Z51 stock suspension, Road Force balanced the wheels and had the alignment set for street use. Not lowered so I can't help you there. Also, I drive in the winter. Summer performance tires in 28 degrees don't ride very well. It's 72 degrees here today and she's riding beautifully. Lot's of factors on ride quality. Looks like you're going down the right path, shocks, alignment, but also get your tires Road Force Balanced. Check your control arm ball joints also. Makes a difference.
