Handling problem???
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
Handling problem???
For a car that close to 60k I am dissatisfied with the cars handling. On certain highways, my car will pull(left or right) very hard when riding on grooves caused by tractor trailers. My G35 Sport Coupe can ride over the same stretch of highway, at the same speed with no pull whatsover. My vette has a little over 15k on the clock and new back tires. What gives???
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,762
Likes: 4
From: Chandler Arizona
Originally Posted by Thanos
For a car that close to 60k I am dissatisfied with the cars handling. On certain highways, my car will pull(left or right) very hard when riding on grooves caused by tractor trailers. My G35 Sport Coupe can ride over the same stretch of highway, at the same speed with no pull whatsover. My vette has a little over 15k on the clock and new back tires. What gives???
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
What you describe is unusual, I suspect, and probably easily fixed. It sounds like alignment, probably caster which helps wheels self-center after turns and gives directional stability at speed. It may be steering related, or even suspension problems. But it isn't likely a design issue as you suggest. My C6 runs true, and I belong to a group with other C5 and C6 owners. I've not heard of this problem.
I'd suggest you take it to someone who specializes in Vette alignment, possibly a good local tuner.
I'd suggest you take it to someone who specializes in Vette alignment, possibly a good local tuner.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,436
Likes: 4
From: Everett Wa
Originally Posted by mishlvr
What you are experiencing is called "tramlining". You can google it up for a number of articles about it. They can explain it better then I can.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by TMyers
I agree. The Vette tires are wider than most cars on the road in addition to being high performance tires. They are going to grab those ruts and want to jump all over the place.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,408
Likes: 145
From: Northcentral, Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '09-'11
You said it was only on certain roads under certain conditions, so I don't think it is alignment. The tires are very wide, and because of this you can't avoid those grooves.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,022
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
The C6 Z51 seems less inclined to tramlining than other cars I've owned in the past, but the problem still exists. Just check that your alignment is correct, then keep your hands on the wheel. The price we pay for high cornering G.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 1
From: Burlington County NJ
I have had the same exact problems. I thought it was the alignment, but I have almost 11k tires on the front and they do not show any signs of bad alignment. Incidentally, I also just changed my rears. I have the z51.
I asked a service guy at the dealership about the "pulling" and said it was because of the roads. But I agreee, my other car does not do this, so it must have to do with the tires and maybe the torque doesnt help??
I asked a service guy at the dealership about the "pulling" and said it was because of the roads. But I agreee, my other car does not do this, so it must have to do with the tires and maybe the torque doesnt help??
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 222
Likes: 2
From: Peachtree City GA
I had a minor problem as you describe when my Z51 tires were worn, just before replacing them. The rears were the first to need replacement and the control problem increased dramatically right after the new rears went on. Once the new fronts were on, there is no pull at all - drives like a dream again.
John
John
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,762
Likes: 4
From: Chandler Arizona
Originally Posted by Gearhead Jim
The C6 Z51 seems less inclined to tramlining than other cars I've owned in the past, but the problem still exists. Just check that your alignment is correct, then keep your hands on the wheel. The price we pay for high cornering G.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
an alignment to exact, not in a range +/- nothing.
re-center your steering wheel, if needed. done with the alignment
check you air pressure.
Rember roads are crowned to allow water to run off, plus the cracks and depressions do to the heavy trucks, so roads are not flat at all, cars natuall tend to drift to the right.
Find a flat or relativly flat parking lot and go drive on it.
re-center your steering wheel, if needed. done with the alignment
check you air pressure.
Rember roads are crowned to allow water to run off, plus the cracks and depressions do to the heavy trucks, so roads are not flat at all, cars natuall tend to drift to the right.
Find a flat or relativly flat parking lot and go drive on it.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,436
Likes: 4
From: Everett Wa
Originally Posted by Thanos
Thats pretty dangerous. I was going about 65mph and the car rode over one of those grooves , and it really pulled the car hard. I'm glad i was holding the wheel with both hands. If i was going faster on an unfamiliar road it could have caused an accident.
The best thing I have found to handle this is find the point where you need to put a little input into the wheel to travel a straight line. When the road is like that use 2 hands at all times and be aware of the traffic around you. While not relaxing and it can be tense at times with heavy traffic at speed I have never had a problem. As the link said it is the price we pay for having a car that can pull 1g in the corners.
