Wanders on freeway
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 153
Likes: 16
From: Issaquah Washington
Wanders on freeway
I took my 2013 GS on a short road trip this week (650 mile round trip). I've owned it for a year and this was my first chance to get it on the road. I noticed that it seemed to wander no matter what the condition of the pavement was. It has 6,000 miles with the original tires still on it. I seem to remember from my high school days that a car with toe-in would "wander" while minor toe-out helps to keep it in a straight line. Is this my problem? Does this sound like too little toe-out?
Last edited by BillBarkerville; Sep 14, 2018 at 07:38 PM. Reason: corrected mileage
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 24,129
Likes: 1,038
From: The Beautiful Pacific Northwest
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09, '14-'15-'16-'17-'18
Check the wear on the inside portion of the front tires. I'll bet it's more worn on the inside than on the outside which you can easily see. I know this from experience from when I had my C6. Couldn't figure out why it wandered so much until I discovered the excessive wear on the inside of the tires. Soon as I got new tires, problem went away.
YRMV.
YRMV.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,227
Likes: 4,355
From: Chirper Island
Regardless of the tire wear, those shoes are starting to get old. Time for new ones (especially since were talking GY).
There are much better tires out there (starting with Michelin or Bridgestone, IMO). Whether you pick RFs or not.
Most likely (as Ex Red says) the alignment is off.
There are much better tires out there (starting with Michelin or Bridgestone, IMO). Whether you pick RFs or not.
Most likely (as Ex Red says) the alignment is off.
Last edited by owc6; Sep 13, 2018 at 11:58 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,035
Likes: 3,569
From: Central MO
Both the OEM Goodyear tires and aggressive OEM alignment contribute to tramlining and/or wandering. My Centennial GS did it until I replaced the tires with Bridgestone Potenza runflats and got a Pfadt "street" alignment that is more neutral and encourages long tire life, versus wringing out every last smidgen of handling.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 4,425
Likes: 1,377
From: SC
Actually, toe out causes the wander and toe in keeps it tracking straight. If the tires are worn it's because the alignment is bad, not the other way around. It should track nice and straight on smooth, flat pavement. Get the Pfadt street alignment as mentioned above. And drive that Vette more!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 153
Likes: 16
From: Issaquah Washington
Great comments. I really appreciate it.
I checked my tires and the insides of both of them ARE worn more than the outer edges. Hummm.... I think that "proves" that they are toed-out.
So it sounds like my suspicion about alignment was correct. But it should have a tad more toe-in, and not toe-out.
I am seriously tempted to just go to the dealer tomorrow and look at the 2019's. Our credit union is offering 1/2 percent off this weekend only.
Again... thanks. I really appreciate the serious and intelligent responses. This really bugged me over 12 hours of driving earlier this week.
I checked my tires and the insides of both of them ARE worn more than the outer edges. Hummm.... I think that "proves" that they are toed-out.
So it sounds like my suspicion about alignment was correct. But it should have a tad more toe-in, and not toe-out.
I am seriously tempted to just go to the dealer tomorrow and look at the 2019's. Our credit union is offering 1/2 percent off this weekend only.
Again... thanks. I really appreciate the serious and intelligent responses. This really bugged me over 12 hours of driving earlier this week.
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Pro
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 744
Likes: 314
From: Grand Rapids, MN
Tire wear on the inside edges can be caused by two things. Toe of course but also camber. Excessive toe will wear the inside edges much faster than camber however. A good first step is checking alignment. Also monitor and see if it happens all the time. Older roads get grooves worn and can cause tramlining even if all else is good. Wide tires like on our cars are more subject to tramlining. More aggressive track alignments also increase tramlining hence the reason the Pfadt street alignment helps.
My sports cars regardless of brand always wore front and rear tires on the inside more than the outside. Older 911's really wear the rears on the inside as they needed the camber to keep the rear end from coming around.
My sports cars regardless of brand always wore front and rear tires on the inside more than the outside. Older 911's really wear the rears on the inside as they needed the camber to keep the rear end from coming around.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 167
From: Frederick, MD
Most likely the crap tires that are also old now. However I would definitely get an alignment. You really have to be careful with the toe setting as too much in and pretty much any out will kill your tires in a heart beat.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 520
Likes: 89
OP has a 13 GS with 6,000 miles. It needs a wheel alignment and that has him thinking of getting a 2019 C7, and the credit Union has 1/2% interest rates? Men, you gotta love our reasoning. 
Last edited by weezon; Sep 15, 2018 at 09:52 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 7,001
Likes: 988
From: lake havasu city arizona
My 11 GS did the "tramlining" (sp?) even after getting an alignment, had Nittos on it that were in decent shape, also had a small vibration at 80mph after balancing.
Then I put Hankooks on it with road force balance, alignment and all's good, goes straight and no vibration
NSF
Then I put Hankooks on it with road force balance, alignment and all's good, goes straight and no vibration
NSF
