alignment
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Bellevue WA
alignment
I've noticed that the steering of my 1998 coupe is very sensitive to
the crown of the road or worn areas of the road, particularly on
concrete roads. On a flat road, the car tracks perfectly, but when I
encounter a road with an uneven surface, the car wants to veer off
from the raised portion of the road's surface. I know some of this
is to be expected, but it seems excessive, compared to my Pontiac
Bonneville. Does this suggest a need for realignment or is it
typical of a covettes steering? This is my first Vette and I've only
had it a month.
the crown of the road or worn areas of the road, particularly on
concrete roads. On a flat road, the car tracks perfectly, but when I
encounter a road with an uneven surface, the car wants to veer off
from the raised portion of the road's surface. I know some of this
is to be expected, but it seems excessive, compared to my Pontiac
Bonneville. Does this suggest a need for realignment or is it
typical of a covettes steering? This is my first Vette and I've only
had it a month.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 774
Likes: 2
From: Arizona
Re: alignment (mgjohn817)
I can't speak for the alignment of yourt particular car, obviously but I will say that comparing a C5's tracking to that of a Bonneville is definitely comparing apples and pumpkins.
The C5 will and should track pavement anomolies to an extent (this is communication that is tuned out of the family rides). The Bonnie is setup for play/absorption in the steering to smooth transitions (read numbness) as that's the market segment to which it's aimed. The C5 on the other hand is aimed at a market that desires a much more neutral handling experience.
Don't get me wrong, if it seems truly excessive or your tires are wearing strangely, you could definitely have an alignment issue. Too much toe or not enough caster could cause wandering. If on perfect pavement, it may not always wander even though it's not to spec. When there are grooves in the pavement from years of traffic, and your car is aligned properly, it should track those grooves. That's actually the way you want it.
Am I helping or only confusing matters?
The C5 will and should track pavement anomolies to an extent (this is communication that is tuned out of the family rides). The Bonnie is setup for play/absorption in the steering to smooth transitions (read numbness) as that's the market segment to which it's aimed. The C5 on the other hand is aimed at a market that desires a much more neutral handling experience.
Don't get me wrong, if it seems truly excessive or your tires are wearing strangely, you could definitely have an alignment issue. Too much toe or not enough caster could cause wandering. If on perfect pavement, it may not always wander even though it's not to spec. When there are grooves in the pavement from years of traffic, and your car is aligned properly, it should track those grooves. That's actually the way you want it.
Am I helping or only confusing matters?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 4
From: Slidell La
Re: alignment (carpe dm)
:chevy I also has a wandering issue w/99 Nassau Blue. Alignment will fix the issue. Too much toe in and neg. camber can cause this problem and cause tire wear. I used 0 deg. camber and .060" toe in or less and it tracks true with no wander. :steering:
