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Rear steer when cornering
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Yukon OK
Rear steer when cornering
I am experiencing some rear steer during on and off throttle in sweeping corners. This is most noticeable under light on and off throttle in a sweeping right hand corner. When letting off of the gas, the car wants to turn tighter to the right when reapplying throttle, the car will head to the left. This would indicate that the left rear is moving forward under throttle and moving back when off throttle. It is not uncontrollable, but it is significant enough to keep you on your toes. I got under the car and did not notice anything obvious (breakage). I twisted the tie rod end back and forth and it did not give any noticeable play that would indicate wear, not always the best troubleshooting procedure, but it was nothing obvious. Being a 2004 and all original suspension components, I am sure replacing shocks and bushings and other wearable components are warranted. Before I started tearing into it and replacing parts, I thought I might hit up the pros around here and see if anyone has experienced this issue.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 136
Likes: 6
From: Lees Summit Missouri
I am experiencing some rear steer during on and off throttle in sweeping corners. This is most noticeable under light on and off throttle in a sweeping right hand corner. When letting off of the gas, the car wants to turn tighter to the right when reapplying throttle, the car will head to the left. This would indicate that the left rear is moving forward under throttle and moving back when off throttle. It is not uncontrollable, but it is significant enough to keep you on your toes. I got under the car and did not notice anything obvious (breakage). I twisted the tie rod end back and forth and it did not give any noticeable play that would indicate wear, not always the best troubleshooting procedure, but it was nothing obvious. Being a 2004 and all original suspension components, I am sure replacing shocks and bushings and other wearable components are warranted. Before I started tearing into it and replacing parts, I thought I might hit up the pros around here and see if anyone has experienced this issue.
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 107
Likes: 13
From: Fairview Hts. Illinois
rear steer
I am experiencing some rear steer during on and off throttle in sweeping corners. This is most noticeable under light on and off throttle in a sweeping right hand corner. When letting off of the gas, the car wants to turn tighter to the right when reapplying throttle, the car will head to the left. This would indicate that the left rear is moving forward under throttle and moving back when off throttle. It is not uncontrollable, but it is significant enough to keep you on your toes. I got under the car and did not notice anything obvious (breakage). I twisted the tie rod end back and forth and it did not give any noticeable play that would indicate wear, not always the best troubleshooting procedure, but it was nothing obvious. Being a 2004 and all original suspension components, I am sure replacing shocks and bushings and other wearable components are warranted. Before I started tearing into it and replacing parts, I thought I might hit up the pros around here and see if anyone has experienced this issue.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 234
Likes: 78
From: OH
What you have is normal when turning which is some times called steering with throttle. When you lift the throttle it puts more weight on the front tires so the grip is better and you will notice a slight increase in your turn in; just the opposite when applying the gas. Next time you think you are going wide in a turn slightly let off the gas and notice how the car turns in and will go back wide when the gas is on. They teach this at Ron Fellows driving school.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Yukon OK
DANGER WILL ROBINSON, DANGER.....seriously, you have one or more of your alignment bolts loose that holds your alignment. One of my HPDE students car experienced the ever same thing you are. Who ever does your alignment, have those alignment bolts torque, using a torque wrench. Make certain that as they torque your alignment bolts, the alignment setting does not change. Be careful driving your C5.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Yukon OK
What you have is normal when turning which is some times called steering with throttle. When you lift the throttle it puts more weight on the front tires so the grip is better and you will notice a slight increase in your turn in; just the opposite when applying the gas. Next time you think you are going wide in a turn slightly let off the gas and notice how the car turns in and will go back wide when the gas is on. They teach this at Ron Fellows driving school.
When did you attend Ron Fellows riving school? I bet that was a blast!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,470
Likes: 460
From: East Windsor NJ
I have a similar situation with my '00 FRC but with the front - gas on and it heads left - gas off and it heads right - one thing I'm going to check is control arm bushings. Also I may lower it a bit and if I do will take it to GM for an alignment (not Pep Boys!).
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,363
Likes: 429
From: Birmingham Al
If your Corvette is driving itself you have a problem something is worn out loose not aliened right or has moved from the right alignment to something else been driving the old Corvettes for over 50 years WOW ( getting old ) in geranial even the older ones are tight to a point and should go were you point them if they don't you have problem get it in the air and start looking ..What are you looking for movement the springs and shocks should go up and down other that all the other parts should be tight can't just grab with your hand and shake might need a little pry bar or something to put some pressure on the parts to get movement ,you don't want anything letting go at speed in the Corvette at first sign of something wrong start looking .. Finding yourself out in the cow pasture is not fun and the first thing you think of is : instead of washing it I should have been looking for the problem .. Been there.. Just saying..
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Yukon OK
. The wife hates sticks and I thought it would be nice if I bought something she could enjoy with me. As far as not lifting in the corners, some of those corners lead to stop signs... 
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Yukon OK
Problem Solved!
Been a busy month, but I finally got it jacked up. I was able to yank the left rear back in forth and found excessive play causing the "rear steer" issue. Unfortunately, it was not as simple as the tie rod end. While there was some play in the tie rod end as well, the Bearing was trashed and allowing additional play. Anyway, since I like to do everything in pairs, I replaced both rear wheel bearings and outer tie rod ends. I also made sure everything else was torqued to specs. Sure does feel nice to go through a corner and know that I am in control now . Thanks to all who gave advice!
. Thanks to all who gave advice!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Yukon OK
Timken 512153 Wheel Bearing Warning
I wanted to leave a note about wheel bearings. I hate paying the dealership prices if I can avoid it, so I purchased a pair of Timken 512153 rear wheel bearings from Rock Auto. I have used Timken on many cars in the past and I feel they are very good quality parts. However, be aware of this part number. I sent back the first pair I received because the Speed Sensor wire harness was not located in the correct location. The original wire harness comes off the bearing aligning with one of the bolt holes of the triangle hub mount, the first pair I received came off the between two of the three mounting holes. This might work on your car, but will be quite a stretch and stress on the wires to reach the connector clip on the parking break dust shield, if you can even get it to stretch that far. After receiving the second pair, one was correctly located and the other was not. I sent these back again and paid a little extra to get the correct OEM parts from GM Parts Direct. You may want to save yourself the aggravation I went through and pay a little extra for OEM.