Uneven pavement causing "swaying"
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 0
Uneven pavement causing "swaying"
Hey All,
My '01 has been sort of swaying a bit over uneven pavementlately, any suggestions how to eliminate this? Could I have some suspension bolts backing out on me? I'm still running the factory runflats (~12K miles).
I have the adjustable suspension (F45?), any suggestions what to look at would be most appreciated.
:seeya
My '01 has been sort of swaying a bit over uneven pavementlately, any suggestions how to eliminate this? Could I have some suspension bolts backing out on me? I'm still running the factory runflats (~12K miles).
I have the adjustable suspension (F45?), any suggestions what to look at would be most appreciated.
:seeya
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,699
Likes: 0
From: Rowlett TX
Re: Uneven pavement causing "swaying" (dads01dream)
Hello dads01dream,
I have a 2004 Coupe with the F55 adjustable suspension and I upgraded to the Z06 sway bars because the stock sway bars on my car were sooooo small! It made a huge difference in the handling of the car without sacrificing the ride comfort.
Here are a few pics of my mod so you can see the bigg difference in the size of the stock and Z06 sway bars.
FRONT SWAY BAR INSTALL
REAR SWAY BAR INSTALL
[Modified by Yellow2K4, 6:08 AM 10/31/2003]
I have a 2004 Coupe with the F55 adjustable suspension and I upgraded to the Z06 sway bars because the stock sway bars on my car were sooooo small! It made a huge difference in the handling of the car without sacrificing the ride comfort.
Here are a few pics of my mod so you can see the bigg difference in the size of the stock and Z06 sway bars.
FRONT SWAY BAR INSTALL
REAR SWAY BAR INSTALL
[Modified by Yellow2K4, 6:08 AM 10/31/2003]
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Remington VA
Re: Uneven pavement causing "swaying" (dads01dream)
I have an 01 with 19k and runflats. Mine sways side to side when hitting uneven pavement also. I just got the car last week and noticed that right away. It's not out of alignment but it'll pull to one side pretty hard when changing lanes on an uneven highway.
I don't have the adjustable suspension or the ride control I think it's called.
[Modified by staggarlee, 1:14 PM 10/31/2003]
I don't have the adjustable suspension or the ride control I think it's called.
[Modified by staggarlee, 1:14 PM 10/31/2003]
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 0
Re: Uneven pavement causing "swaying" (Yellow2K4)
Yellow2K4 - Man, those are some BEEFY sway bars for sure!! I thought the rear bars were all the same as the Z06 from the factory from 2001 on? Clearly from your pix I'm mistaken, but I thought GMpartsdirect told me not the get the rear bar as my car is an '01.
Did you have the same "swaying" problem I mentioned in my original post? I wouldn't think the sway bars would have eliminated that situation. Lemme know, please.
Staggerlee - I am experiencing EXACTLY what you're talkin' about. Do you think this is just normal for the car due to the hard rubber and wide tire profile? Or could something else be amiss :skep: ? This situation is really starting the dampen my enjoyment of the car.
Anyone else have some insights into this condition?
:seeya
Did you have the same "swaying" problem I mentioned in my original post? I wouldn't think the sway bars would have eliminated that situation. Lemme know, please.
Staggerlee - I am experiencing EXACTLY what you're talkin' about. Do you think this is just normal for the car due to the hard rubber and wide tire profile? Or could something else be amiss :skep: ? This situation is really starting the dampen my enjoyment of the car.
Anyone else have some insights into this condition?
:seeya
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 37,329
Likes: 12
From: Plano Texas
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
CI-VI Car Show Winner
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Re: Uneven pavement causing "swaying" (dads01dream)
Part of the issue may be associated with the runcraps. Cannot state that for sure as I also changed my sway- bars at the same time I went to non- runcraps.
However, with the above changes there was an significant change for the better in the problem you note.
Also note that my sway- bars are after market, not GM. They are significantly stronger, and weight much more, than GM's. Also, I changed the end links, and that contributes to the 'better' handleing than the OEM.
However, with the above changes there was an significant change for the better in the problem you note.
Also note that my sway- bars are after market, not GM. They are significantly stronger, and weight much more, than GM's. Also, I changed the end links, and that contributes to the 'better' handleing than the OEM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 56,381
Likes: 79
Re: Uneven pavement causing "swaying" (dads01dream)
I have many laps of the Nurburgring in my 02 Z06 and I have driven a C5 with the F45 suspension around the ring too (and will again over Thanksgiving!!!!!! :). He had Hotchkiss (sp?) anti-sway bars, poly bushings, and sticky tires and I really couldn't tell a difference between his and my car, and I was following this guy, a much better driver who was in my Z06; so I was driving very fast and hard. Start with at least the Z06 bars and then go to better tires when the run flats wear out and you should be happy.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Walla Walla WA
Re: Uneven pavement causing "swaying" (dads01dream)
My '02 coupe with F45 was improved by an alignment. The car wasn't tracking properly and I had them reduce the negative camber (more towards zero camber).
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 81
From: Bel Air MD
Re: Uneven pavement causing "swaying" (MarginalTraction)
I think the main problem is the GY runflats. I changed to the Michelin Pilot Sport runflats and there is a world of difference. Softer ride, less noise and the car doesn't track to the left or right when it hits the little ruts in the road.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,161
Likes: 5
From: Richmond VA
Re: Uneven pavement causing "swaying" (rwlc5)
I have the Z51 on my FRC and encounter the problem everyday when driving to work. It is not a sway bar issue, but just the stiff suspension and stock shocks riding on the Bad Year Run Craps (run flats).
would change tires and shocks and the swaying is annoying.
would change tires and shocks and the swaying is annoying.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 746
Likes: 1
From: salem or
Re: Uneven pavement causing "swaying" (Mehfoud)
It's not the tire make, it's the tire width and alignment.
The wide tires will always give you trouble when tracking in "ruts" and on uneven pavement. There's no way to totally get around it. The types of things that you can do to minimize the "wandering" will generally be detrimental to handling and tire wear.
Probebly the best way to go is to first check the alignment. While excessive negative camber and near zero toe will promote the tendency to "wander in the ruts", these features also promote good cornering...so changing these too far from stock might not be what you're after in a sports car. But, you can help your situation by increasing the caster to the max stock setting with only minor effects on handling (it will be less eager to turn in on cornering) and give you only a little extra tire wear. The increased caster angle will help the car track straighter.
If it still wanders, and you don't care about cornering, then start dialing out negative camber and start increasing toe in. If it still isn't good enough, then go to real narrow tires...now I'm just getting sick...it's all a compromise.
Good luck. sj
The wide tires will always give you trouble when tracking in "ruts" and on uneven pavement. There's no way to totally get around it. The types of things that you can do to minimize the "wandering" will generally be detrimental to handling and tire wear.
Probebly the best way to go is to first check the alignment. While excessive negative camber and near zero toe will promote the tendency to "wander in the ruts", these features also promote good cornering...so changing these too far from stock might not be what you're after in a sports car. But, you can help your situation by increasing the caster to the max stock setting with only minor effects on handling (it will be less eager to turn in on cornering) and give you only a little extra tire wear. The increased caster angle will help the car track straighter.
If it still wanders, and you don't care about cornering, then start dialing out negative camber and start increasing toe in. If it still isn't good enough, then go to real narrow tires...now I'm just getting sick...it's all a compromise.
Good luck. sj
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,488
Likes: 714
From: Sausalito CA
Re: Uneven pavement causing "swaying" (dads01dream)
12K mileage.
So I assume we have a wear & tear issue as opposed to a road surface change or other.
1 - Wheel Balance time
2 - Run Crap worn
3 - Tighten suspension front and rear. X member, a-arm mount bolts, sway bar mounting bolts.
4 - Look for a leaky shock.
If you find it let us know.
So I assume we have a wear & tear issue as opposed to a road surface change or other.
1 - Wheel Balance time
2 - Run Crap worn
3 - Tighten suspension front and rear. X member, a-arm mount bolts, sway bar mounting bolts.
4 - Look for a leaky shock.
If you find it let us know.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 46
From: Elizabeth City, NC
Re: Uneven pavement causing "swaying" (dads01dream)
The problem is the run flats, plain and simple. I can't give you the scientific explanation for this, but I do know I had the exact same problem on not too worn runflats. Once I changed the tires the car rides totally different. It's also alot quieter, the runflats make alot of road noise. :cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,834
Likes: 91
From: California
Re: Uneven pavement causing "swaying" (speedjohnson)
It's not the tire make, it's the tire width and alignment.
The wide tires will always give you trouble when tracking in "ruts" and on uneven pavement. There's no way to totally get around it. The types of things that you can do to minimize the "wandering" will generally be detrimental to handling and tire wear.
Probebly the best way to go is to first check the alignment. While excessive negative camber and near zero toe will promote the tendency to "wander in the ruts", these features also promote good cornering...so changing these too far from stock might not be what you're after in a sports car. But, you can help your situation by increasing the caster to the max stock setting with only minor effects on handling (it will be less eager to turn in on cornering) and give you only a little extra tire wear. The increased caster angle will help the car track straighter.
If it still wanders, and you don't care about cornering, then start dialing out negative camber and start increasing toe in. If it still isn't good enough, then go to real narrow tires...now I'm just getting sick...it's all a compromise.
Good luck. sj
The wide tires will always give you trouble when tracking in "ruts" and on uneven pavement. There's no way to totally get around it. The types of things that you can do to minimize the "wandering" will generally be detrimental to handling and tire wear.
Probebly the best way to go is to first check the alignment. While excessive negative camber and near zero toe will promote the tendency to "wander in the ruts", these features also promote good cornering...so changing these too far from stock might not be what you're after in a sports car. But, you can help your situation by increasing the caster to the max stock setting with only minor effects on handling (it will be less eager to turn in on cornering) and give you only a little extra tire wear. The increased caster angle will help the car track straighter.
If it still wanders, and you don't care about cornering, then start dialing out negative camber and start increasing toe in. If it still isn't good enough, then go to real narrow tires...now I'm just getting sick...it's all a compromise.
Good luck. sj
My Old Camaro SS had this problem with 275/40/17s setup with a hot alignment. Zero toe, Maximum equal negative camber. I get this on my 04, but i'm used to it.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 746
Likes: 1
From: salem or
Re: Uneven pavement causing "swaying" (LPDesRoche)
For the sake of debate, there may be a lot of reasons to change from runflats to Pilots. I have stock runflats on my '97 and Michelin Pilots on my '02. The Pilots are stickier, less noisy and wear out a little faster than the Goodyears.
However, let's not have this guy spend 1,400.00 on new tires that may not cure his tracking problems. He should have his basic alignment checked first.
Try this: Fronts 29# cold; Rears 33# cold. Front neg .5 degrees camber, 7 degrees caster and minus 1/16th toe in. Rear: .25 negative camber, minus 1/8th inch toe in.
This is a good first step and will only cost him 70.00.
However, let's not have this guy spend 1,400.00 on new tires that may not cure his tracking problems. He should have his basic alignment checked first.
Try this: Fronts 29# cold; Rears 33# cold. Front neg .5 degrees camber, 7 degrees caster and minus 1/16th toe in. Rear: .25 negative camber, minus 1/8th inch toe in.
This is a good first step and will only cost him 70.00.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,865
Likes: 0
From: Chicago il
Re: Uneven pavement causing "swaying" (CPT Z06)
Anytime you run tires as wide as our, they will have a tendency to follow the grooves in the road, for the most part it has nothign to do with suspension or tires.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 46
From: Elizabeth City, NC
Re: Uneven pavement causing "swaying" (speedjohnson)
For the sake of debate, there may be a lot of reasons to change from runflats to Pilots. I have stock runflats on my '97 and Michelin Pilots on my '02. The Pilots are stickier, less noisy and wear out a little faster than the Goodyears.
However, let's not have this guy spend 1,400.00 on new tires that may not cure his tracking problems. He should have his basic alignment checked first.
Try this: Fronts 29# cold; Rears 33# cold. Front neg .5 degrees camber, 7 degrees caster and minus 1/16th toe in. Rear: .25 negative camber, minus 1/8th inch toe in.
This is a good first step and will only cost him 70.00.
However, let's not have this guy spend 1,400.00 on new tires that may not cure his tracking problems. He should have his basic alignment checked first.
Try this: Fronts 29# cold; Rears 33# cold. Front neg .5 degrees camber, 7 degrees caster and minus 1/16th toe in. Rear: .25 negative camber, minus 1/8th inch toe in.
This is a good first step and will only cost him 70.00.
-Lee
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 0
Re: Uneven pavement causing "swaying" (speedjohnson)
Hey Mr. Speed.....
Thanks for lookin' out for my wallet!! I will give your suggestions a try first, then move on the tires. Heck, I've been itching to get out of the runcraps for some time now.
Keep up the great suggestions everyone, I really appreciate all of your input.
:cheers:
Thanks for lookin' out for my wallet!! I will give your suggestions a try first, then move on the tires. Heck, I've been itching to get out of the runcraps for some time now.
Keep up the great suggestions everyone, I really appreciate all of your input.
:cheers:
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 5
From: Bothell WA
Re: Uneven pavement causing "swaying" (Monster231)
Anytime you run tires as wide as our, they will have a tendency to follow the grooves in the road, for the most part it has nothign to do with suspension or tires.
- Mark
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 5,294
Likes: 2
From: Suffolk, Long Island NY
Re: Uneven pavement causing "swaying" (Monster231)
Anytime you run tires as wide as our, they will have a tendency to follow the grooves in the road, for the most part it has nothign to do with suspension or tires.
My Vette and Regal both do this, and the Regal doesn't have runflats. It's just a matter of wide tires on a crappy road causes this.