2008 possible suspension problem?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 1
From: Deerfield beach Fl
2008 possible suspension problem?
When driving the past couple of days, I notice when I slow to around 65 on the highway, then drop to third and nail it, the car gets weird in the steering. Almost like the front gets light and I get a bit of torque steer like you get with FWD cars. Is this normal or do I have a problem?
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 619
Likes: 0
From: North Texas
Could be a combination of things:
1. Weather is getting colder, therefore, less traction from cold tires.
2. With alot of torque on tap, it wouldn't suprise me the Vette gets a little squirly.
3. Alignment, but I doubt this is the problem as you can check for uneven tire wear or you have jerkiness when driving around town.
1. Weather is getting colder, therefore, less traction from cold tires.
2. With alot of torque on tap, it wouldn't suprise me the Vette gets a little squirly.
3. Alignment, but I doubt this is the problem as you can check for uneven tire wear or you have jerkiness when driving around town.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
Likes: 136
From: Short Hills, NJ
Could be a combination of things:
1. Weather is getting colder, therefore, less traction from cold tires.
2. With alot of torque on tap, it wouldn't suprise me the Vette gets a little squirly.
3. Alignment, but I doubt this is the problem as you can check for uneven tire wear or you have jerkiness when driving around town.
1. Weather is getting colder, therefore, less traction from cold tires.
2. With alot of torque on tap, it wouldn't suprise me the Vette gets a little squirly.
3. Alignment, but I doubt this is the problem as you can check for uneven tire wear or you have jerkiness when driving around town.
4. There's a problem with some 2008's front suspension/steering...see, the LS2s are better!
Just kidding of course.
I would continue testing it under the same (controlled) conditions to see if you come up with definitive, repeatable symptoms. Of course please wear your seatbelt while doing this LOL.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 1
From: Deerfield beach Fl
...or
4. There's a problem with some 2008's front suspension/steering...see, the LS2s are better!
Just kidding of course.
I would continue testing it under the same (controlled) conditions to see if you come up with definitive, repeatable symptoms. Of course please wear your seatbelt while doing this LOL.
4. There's a problem with some 2008's front suspension/steering...see, the LS2s are better!
Just kidding of course.
I would continue testing it under the same (controlled) conditions to see if you come up with definitive, repeatable symptoms. Of course please wear your seatbelt while doing this LOL.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
Likes: 136
From: Short Hills, NJ
Also try it at different speeds maybe.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Santander Santander
When driving the past couple of days, I notice when I slow to around 65 on the highway, then drop to third and nail it, the car gets weird in the steering. Almost like the front gets light and I get a bit of torque steer like you get with FWD cars. Is this normal or do I have a problem?
Tuning the suspension of the car, you can change only the speed of this weight transfer: if you choose a stiff setup, the transfer will be fast (the car will feel more responsive), and if you choose a soft setup the transfer will take more time. But with the suspension you cannot change the amount of the weigh transfered.
So, what you are experimenting in your car can be quite normal. I feel the same in my car. If you want to reduce this, you can lower your car. If you want the transitions to be quicker, then stiff your suspension.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 1
From: Deerfield beach Fl
I think I forgot to mention, this is a z51 car. I don't remember it doing this when I first bought it. Maybe because it was so much hotter out.
Every time you accelerate any car, there is some weight transfer to the rear tyres, unloading the front tyres. This weight transfer depends on the hard you accelerate, the weigh of the car, the height of the CG (center of gravity) and the wheelbase.
Tuning the suspension of the car, you can change only the speed of this weight transfer: if you choose a stiff setup, the transfer will be fast (the car will feel more responsive), and if you choose a soft setup the transfer will take more time. But with the suspension you cannot change the amount of the weigh transfered.
So, what you are experimenting in your car can be quite normal. I feel the same in my car. If you want to reduce this, you can lower your car. If you want the transitions to be quicker, then stiff your suspension.
Tuning the suspension of the car, you can change only the speed of this weight transfer: if you choose a stiff setup, the transfer will be fast (the car will feel more responsive), and if you choose a soft setup the transfer will take more time. But with the suspension you cannot change the amount of the weigh transfered.
So, what you are experimenting in your car can be quite normal. I feel the same in my car. If you want to reduce this, you can lower your car. If you want the transitions to be quicker, then stiff your suspension.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,670
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From: merritt island fl
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Drifting
Joined: May 2007
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From: Canton/Detroit Michigan
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Santander Santander
That makes sense. In colder conditions you have more HP on your right foot, so more weight is transfered when you accelerate, and the front is more unloaded, so you feel a lighter steering.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 1
From: Deerfield beach Fl
Just to clarify, this isn't just lighter steering. with my both hands on the wheel, I can feel the front end moving side to side. But there is no play in the steering. It was worse the other day. I think maybe the other day the road was still slightly damp, the more power scenario does make sense, but I expect my car to be fully planted at all times. If its doing this at 85MPH, what happens on a race track??
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,939
Likes: 448
From: CHOCOWINITY NC
Just to clarify, this isn't just lighter steering. with my both hands on the wheel, I can feel the front end moving side to side. But there is no play in the steering. It was worse the other day. I think maybe the other day the road was still slightly damp, the more power scenario does make sense, but I expect my car to be fully planted at all times. If its doing this at 85MPH, what happens on a race track??
Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 608
Likes: 1
From: LZ IL
A few things to note:
Make sure tire presure is up 32 psi cold for high speed stuff. Low tire presure at speed causes tire to loose shape.
No reason to have active handling off at high speeds use competative mode. Helps alot with the weight shift at no loss to forward performance.
And last I have never seen a GM car that was aligned right from the factory. within specs but not close enough for high speed travel.
Hope this helps.
Make sure tire presure is up 32 psi cold for high speed stuff. Low tire presure at speed causes tire to loose shape.
No reason to have active handling off at high speeds use competative mode. Helps alot with the weight shift at no loss to forward performance.
And last I have never seen a GM car that was aligned right from the factory. within specs but not close enough for high speed travel.
Hope this helps.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area CA
When the front end gets light, camber changes so it may not track as well...Also the LSD may be hunting for engagement and traction, making slight power shifts from one rear wheel to the other. best advice is avoid this condition. On a race track with a good driver, power application is generally (at least it should be) smoother. I don't think anything is wrong with your car...
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,939
Likes: 448
From: CHOCOWINITY NC
I love the (numerous) posts here about guys who get sideways, break traction, hit the guardrail, do massive unintended powerslides, yada yada and all they did was give it a "little" gas...The fast line and good car control ALWAYS comes from being smooth with your inputs...
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Santander Santander
With so much torque and power available, smoothness is the key. In my vette, at the exit of slow corners I can sometimes spend 2-3 seconds on the throttle until flat. You have to be patient with the throttle, if not you will probably get a spin.