Donscrisisvette
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Donscrisisvette
I have a 2000 C5 and having trouble with front end steering, When driving and crossing over rough pavement or repair groove in the road the car follows the pattern. I have had the car to the shop recently and they checked all and said everything ok even did four wheel alignment and balancing. The faster you drive the more severe this is, when you turn and let go of the wheel it doesn't center back either. I haven't had a vette since 1972 when I owned a 66 stingray which was a totally different ride. Any help please! I have michelin 245/45/18 rear and 245/40/18 front.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,534
Likes: 432
From: Atlantic Beach FL.
It's called tram-lining. Some tires do it more than others.
The bushings in the suspension can get soft and allow excessive movement in the control arms. It will throw your alignment all over the place when hitting bumps etc. If the problem is bushings then there is no easy fix other than installing polyurethane bushings.
The stock rubber bushings are cast into the control arms. Replacing them means replacing all 8 control arms (which are out of production).
Keep in mind that a sports car with a stiff suspension will never handle bumps like a luxury cruiser or truck. If the car feels dangerous to drive then that's another story.
Old cars never really have the road feel of when they were new. A lot of that is due to the bushings.
The bushings in the suspension can get soft and allow excessive movement in the control arms. It will throw your alignment all over the place when hitting bumps etc. If the problem is bushings then there is no easy fix other than installing polyurethane bushings.
The stock rubber bushings are cast into the control arms. Replacing them means replacing all 8 control arms (which are out of production).
Keep in mind that a sports car with a stiff suspension will never handle bumps like a luxury cruiser or truck. If the car feels dangerous to drive then that's another story.
Old cars never really have the road feel of when they were new. A lot of that is due to the bushings.
Last edited by Rob 02; Oct 22, 2017 at 07:52 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
I AGREE!!!
Post those alignment numbers!
What Shocks are you running?????
How many miles on the car?????
With the car on a FLAT LEVEL Hard surface. Have an assistant turn the steering wheel slightly LEFT AND RIGHT,, just enough to cause the front wheels to move the slightest bit.
While they are doing that, YOU OBSERVE all the suspension / steering joints, bushings and mounts. Look for ANY excessive lost motion/flexing. There should NOT be any!
Take a good look at the tie rod ends coming out of the rack and see if there is any lost motion.
The rear wheel have some of the same flex joints but you will have to use a pry bar to see if any of the joints and rods have any excessive play.
Bill
Post those alignment numbers! What Shocks are you running?????
How many miles on the car?????
With the car on a FLAT LEVEL Hard surface. Have an assistant turn the steering wheel slightly LEFT AND RIGHT,, just enough to cause the front wheels to move the slightest bit.
While they are doing that, YOU OBSERVE all the suspension / steering joints, bushings and mounts. Look for ANY excessive lost motion/flexing. There should NOT be any!
Take a good look at the tie rod ends coming out of the rack and see if there is any lost motion.
The rear wheel have some of the same flex joints but you will have to use a pry bar to see if any of the joints and rods have any excessive play.
Bill
Last edited by Bill Curlee; Oct 23, 2017 at 04:58 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 375
From: San Jose, CA
I had fairly significant tramlining.
I did two things that are recommended:
1) Alignment to an aggressive street spec
2) New tires
Tramlining is now essentially non-existent.
Additionally, replacing the cheap crap anti-roll (sway) bar end links with new, upgraded metal ones will commonly improve this condition.
Additionally, you may just have worn out bushings, bearings, tie rods, etc.
I did two things that are recommended:
1) Alignment to an aggressive street spec
2) New tires
Tramlining is now essentially non-existent.
Additionally, replacing the cheap crap anti-roll (sway) bar end links with new, upgraded metal ones will commonly improve this condition.
Additionally, you may just have worn out bushings, bearings, tie rods, etc.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
I have a 2000 C5 and having trouble with front end steering, When driving and crossing over rough pavement or repair groove in the road the car follows the pattern. I have had the car to the shop recently and they checked all and said everything ok even did four wheel alignment and balancing. The faster you drive the more severe this is, when you turn and let go of the wheel it doesn't center back either. I haven't had a vette since 1972 when I owned a 66 stingray which was a totally different ride. Any help please! I have michelin 245/45/18 rear and 245/40/18 front.
You've already received a lot of good input so the only thing I might add is that when starting a new post, be sure to use the title of the post to briefly describe the subject of your post. In the case of this post, something like "How Do I Address Excessive Tramlining?"
Good luck, and again, welcome to the Forum... GUSTO
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
Mileage on car?
Brand and model of tires?
Date stamp on tires?
Any other mods (lowered, aftermarket end links, etc.)?
IMHO a 4 wheel alignment without a printout isn't acceptable.
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