Twitchy steering problem
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Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 37
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From: 1650 jonathan terrace ca
Twitchy steering problem
After having 2, C4's and 2, C5's and now having a C6, I have noticed that the steering on the C6 is extremely sensitive to a point of being twitchy. It is hard to smoothly traverse a sweeping highway curve without sawing slightly on the wheel. This was not the case with any of my other cars. It is not my imagination as my wife who drives the car frequently noticed the same thing without my even mentioning it to her. I have checked the alignment front and rear and it is OK. Is anyone having this problem and did GM speed up the steering ratio on the C6?? This is not a Z51 car, just a std. auto with stock tires.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,375
Likes: 1
From: Northern CA
Bad wheel alignment can do that, particularly too little toe-in. Front or rear.
Several people have had their alignment checked and found the factory job was less than stellar.
Was your alignment checked by a shop that really knows alignment as opposed by a crank-em out the door shop?
Power steering problems can also cause that problem.
The demo cars I drove tracked very well on all types of corners (I didn't try any high G manuvers). They went around corners like spit through a trombone. Very stable with no steering wheel sawing required.
Several people have had their alignment checked and found the factory job was less than stellar.
Was your alignment checked by a shop that really knows alignment as opposed by a crank-em out the door shop?
Power steering problems can also cause that problem.
The demo cars I drove tracked very well on all types of corners (I didn't try any high G manuvers). They went around corners like spit through a trombone. Very stable with no steering wheel sawing required.
Last edited by xs650; Jan 26, 2006 at 12:10 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 52
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From: Waldorf MD
Mine, new, was very stable but at about 10,000 miles I noticed the inside of the front tires showing wear. I took it in to the dealer, (first time), and they said the alignment was way off, they aligned it and now it is much more twitchy.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 5,529
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From: Austin Texas
Originally Posted by xs650
Bad wheel alignment can do that, particularly too little toe-in. Front or rear.
Another thing not mentioned by others, adjust the tire pressures within 0.5 PSI of each other before getting anything in the alignment checked (0.2 PSI prefered). Vette suspensions are very sensitive.
Go big or don't go...
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,569
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From: Georgetown TX
http://www.corvetteforum.net/c5/toom...6alignment.htm
I aligned in the moderate column and it' runs great; love the response and it loves the track!!
JK
I aligned in the moderate column and it' runs great; love the response and it loves the track!!
JK
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Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Arizona
Also could be tires.
My C5 was like that til I went to Firestones.
Try the same highway, but run just 25, or as much as 35lbs of air (esp the fronts) and see if anything changes.
Easy to do and see.
My C5 was like that til I went to Firestones.
Try the same highway, but run just 25, or as much as 35lbs of air (esp the fronts) and see if anything changes.
Easy to do and see.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,208
Likes: 2
From: Long Beach CA
Originally Posted by jkonkle
http://www.corvetteforum.net/c5/toom...6alignment.htm
I aligned in the moderate column and it' runs great; love the response and it loves the track!!
JK
I aligned in the moderate column and it' runs great; love the response and it loves the track!!
JK
isnt toe out negative toe?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,375
Likes: 1
From: Northern CA
Originally Posted by 99FewteRC5
Toe out (positive)??as stated from above link
isnt toe out negative toe?
isnt toe out negative toe?
I think it's best to say in or out instead of positive or negative. Avoids confusion.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,208
Likes: 2
From: Long Beach CA
i was taught back, out and in are positive settings.
positive caster top of wheels laid back
positive camber top of wheels laid out
positive toe wheels point in.
Old timer taught me this so i could remember.
He said its like going to the out house. "out back and in the hole" positive!
positive caster top of wheels laid back
positive camber top of wheels laid out
positive toe wheels point in.
Old timer taught me this so i could remember.
He said its like going to the out house. "out back and in the hole" positive!
Go big or don't go...
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,569
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From: Georgetown TX
Originally Posted by 99FewteRC5
Toe out (positive)??as stated from above link
isnt toe out negative toe?
isnt toe out negative toe?
http://www.ozebiz.com.au/racetech/theory/align.html
*shrug*
With toe I want the tires pointing slightly into the car's center to keep it where I want around the curve. It may hunt a little on long straights; but two hands keeps it straight no worries (plus caster).
With camber I want the tires leaning into the car at the top so on turns my traction is better
With caster i just want the number manageable under the camber/toe settings - you'll see caster change with toe. Toe works against caster when keeping the car straight; positive camber can keep the car in straight line. I think my current caster setting (8.0) makes the car react more appropriately with the magnasteer.
Camber is ultimately the black art!
JK
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,375
Likes: 1
From: Northern CA
Originally Posted by jkonkle
http://www.ozebiz.com.au/racetech/theory/align.html
*shrug*
With toe I want the tires pointing slightly into the car's center to keep it where I want around the curve. It may hunt a little on long straights; but two hands keeps it straight no worries (plus caster).
JK
*shrug*
With toe I want the tires pointing slightly into the car's center to keep it where I want around the curve. It may hunt a little on long straights; but two hands keeps it straight no worries (plus caster).
JK
Go big or don't go...
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,569
Likes: 1
From: Georgetown TX
Originally Posted by xs650
That's backwards. Toe in gives straight line stability, tow out tends to hunt hunt on the straights.
Well I figured it was the caster foward that was doing the job of keeping it straight. I guess Toe out would tend to pull to the right or left depending on how the steering might drift; but the same could be argued for toe in. I'll take your word on it!!
Like I said when I started *shrug*
JK
