I have had my 98 vette for just a couple days and i would like to find out why the thing will all of the sudden pull right or left real hard.
My guess is tires. It has the goodyear run flats and they are 85% worn.

Is this a tire issue or is it a corvette issue?

I am torn on what tires to replace with. I like the idea of a runflat but so many of you hate them.

Is there a tire that will make the car not wander soooo bad in a runflat or should i go non run flat? Also a tire that will make highway driving a little quieter would be nice.

I know this topic has been beat to death. I just need some fresh help.

 

Michelin Pilots are great if money is not a concern. I would stay away from the run flats. Nitto is also a CF favorite.

 

Either a tire or brake issue as most C5's don't do that!

 

What speed is this happening at? If your going fairly slow, Corvettes have wide tires and will track on any uneven pavement. OEM runflats are notorius for this, and it can pull the sterring wheel hard. Usually wont happen at speed, so thats why i asked what speed. New tires will help a little, but remember, youve got wide tires that track the grooves.

 

It seems like lower speed is worse. However on the exspessway at 75mph she wants to move around a bit.

Steering feels great. Nice and tight. Brakes also are great.

 

Get rid of the run flats. Get a four wheel alignment. Set up the front with minimum negative camber, and close to zero toe. Unless you need agressive cornering, you will like this set up. Tracks straight and true. It worked for me.

 

And make sure the alignment guy sets the caster at or very close to the factory spec too. It's usually in the 6 to 7.5 degree range. Proper caster settings help a lot to prevent the "tracking" problems you mentioned. Caster involves shims and some alignment guys don't want to fool with this part. Toe and camber settings are fairly easy for them though and some of them want to get you in and get you out in a hurry. Most alignment shops have a print out of the before and after settings along with what the factory settings call for. HTH

 

Also, require that the alignment tech matches the numbers side to side. Some don't want to do it as it takes a few tries to get it right. There is an acceptable range, but if each side is at the opposite end of the range the difference is unacceptable in my book. Talk to the tech before you make an appointment to see if he will accomadate you. Then, be there to be sure they don't tear off your rocker panels.

 

Great info. Thanks


So what non run flat should i be looking at.

Michelin Pilots were mention however i see from discountire.com they have many Michelin Pilots. Need more specs.


Does a non run flat hurt resale value

 

You can make it better just by getting the alignment done to spec and not accepting the tolerances in the alignment spec. Also make sure there is just a shade of toe in Vs the zero toe of the spec. The Firestone Run Flat is softer than the original GY version and is causes less wander. The newer C6 style GY run flats may behave better since they are supposedly softer than the original.
Bill

 

You have an alignment issue and maybe some worn suspension parts!! C5 corvettes do NOT normally handle like that! How are your tires wearing? Are there any spots that are worn more than other areas or do you have any cupping? Tire wear tell me a lot about your suspension and alignment.

If you have any doubt as to what a C5 should drive like, go to a dealer that has a few C5 on the lot and take a couple for a test drive!

Prior to the alignment and new tires, you should inspect your suspension for any worn or damaged parts and replace anything that proves to be out of tolerance. Wheel bearing (HUBS) are an item that can cause issues like you speak of.

I ditched the run flats on my 98 and got Pilot sports. I also purchased a plug and patch kit and a small air pump from Walmart. Just like in the Z06. Tires are expendable items. I would NOT worry about what it will do to resale! Get what you like and get the alignment issue fixed. Then you will only be worried about not being able to drive it enough!!!

Most all cars with very wide tires will track off to the left or right when going over irregular road surfaces like at an inner section where there are ruts in the road from heavy traffic. My C4 was really bad and the suspension was in good condition and it was properly aligned!! On a normal road surface it should drive straight and stop straight!

Make a post in you regional forum section (ie. NORTHEAST SECTION and see if there are any forum members who live close that will let you compare rides. You will learn TONS of info and may make a couple of new friends. Where do you live??

Bill Curlee

 

I don't think it was mentioned above, and it will be automatically done when you go for the alignment, but have the tie rod ends checked, any slack in there and one wheel can shift direction alittle bit and pull the car!! Good luck!! Dan

 

The car is a 1998 so the shocks probably really need to be replaced. I have 65,000 miles on my 98 and two of them were leaking and all four were shot. I replaced them with 2004 ZO6 shocks, I also just bought Michelin runflat tires at Discount tire for $1,210 installed. I had Firestone FireHawk runflats that lasted 33,000 miles and were just as quit worn out as they were when new. I probably would have used the Firestones again but I just wanted Michelins this time. My goodyears were awful. If you are smart you will stick with the RunFlat tires (Firestone or Michelin) because if you ever get stuck on the road you may not be able to get that vette on a lift to repair a tire without damaging the body panels. Not all lifts will work with a C5 Corvette.

 

00247 is on the mark. I had the same problem with my 99. Changed to Nitto non-run flats and got an alignment with specs as mentioned above. No more darting and the ride is alot quieter and smoother. From what I've been told and read about on this fourm is that factory spec's on the alignment will cause the front tires to wear out quicker on the inside ( One of my problems).

 

Here's another tip... IF you do any real spirited driving, and don't mind a little extra tire wear, you might want to get a more aggressive suspension setting.

Mine is as follows and I get above 20K miles (At 24K right now on the fronts) out of a set of Kumho Ecsta MX tires:

Front
Caster 7.0+
Camber 1.2-
toe +1/32 to 0

Rear
Camber 1.0-
Toe -1/32 - 1/16-

Rake and ride height are near stock. Car didn't previously handle as well when it was lowered over 1inch below stock and didn't rotate as well around high speed corners.

Regardless of the tires you end up with, I'm with Bill Curlee. You have an alignment issue.

Mike

 

have you ever driven any other car with wide low profile tires and very stiff suspension with almost no travel at low speeds?
I'm in the boston area and out roads are so worn and cupped that stoplights on a lot of the secondary highways have 2" deep depressions down every travel lane from wear. This is normal and is what every car with wide tires and stiff suspension does. Dont waste your money on an alignment if your tire wear pattern is not all messed up or if on a new low pitched road the thing tracks straight.

 

Bill Curlee asked where i am from. I live just outside of Grand Rapids
Michigan in Hudsonville.

I would love to talk to a couple Vette freaks in my area.

I will check the wear pattern on the tires tonight. It seems it was
pretty flat all the way across but not sure. I can say the front tires
have only 1/32 to 2/32 tread depth.

If i go 4 new firestone runflats i will have two rears for sale.
How much could i sell them for. I think they have less than 5000
miles on them.

 

To me this is normal with a wide high performance tire... I had a Cobra with 275's all around on 17x9" wheels and now I have 275/35's up front on my Z06 w/ an 18x9.5" front wheel... I also have an agressive allignment like Mike put up specs for... the car will pull hard when it hits ruts or uneven spots the the road... there's nothing wrong with my car it's just how it is.

 

Well i took her for a ride tonight. I went down a couple new roads to check out the sway. I dont think i have an allignment issue becuase on a good road i let go of the wheel and the car tracks strait for a very long time.

I did notice on roads that are cupped she seemed to pull around a bit.

Maybe what i am feeling is normal??????

 

Normal to a degree. I have a section of road that I drive everyday to work. It is a challenge to drive my Silverado 2500HD down it straight. The Vette with the runflats was a handful on it. 22,000 miles with slight inner tire wear. I put on Kumho ASX's and the car drove totally different. There still was slight wander on the rough uneven blacktop. After the planned alignment to the specs I mentioned before, there was only the slightest hint of a wander on the same road. That I attribute to the wide tread. The old alignment was still within the specification range. If I was doing it over I would go with slight toe in (.02) and I'll bet that slightest hint would be gone.