Is odd handling just part of the convertible?
07-08-2016, 10:31 PM
#1
Is odd handling just part of the convertible? I've noticed that my 00 WS6 handles kinda funky. It tends to follow bumps in the road and overall doesn't like to go straight. I've checked all of the front end parts and I see nothing worn out. The rack/tie rods are brand new on it. I've checked the K member and nothing seems wrong there. My tires are wearing pretty evenly.
I drove a coupe today and it drives really nice. Alignment is next on my list, but I am wondering if this is something common to the convertibles? If not, then I have SOMETHING wrong in the front end, just haven't found it yet.
I drove a coupe today and it drives really nice. Alignment is next on my list, but I am wondering if this is something common to the convertibles? If not, then I have SOMETHING wrong in the front end, just haven't found it yet.
07-08-2016, 10:46 PM
#2
Staging Lane
'Vert handling Mine was perfect on 10 year old tires...almost no miles, however. Then I bought new tires. Couldn't keep it straight on I95, and it followed every bump/imperfection in the road. An alignment solved all problems...
Hope this helps?
Hope this helps?
07-09-2016, 12:58 AM
#4
Staging Lane
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JC316, I don't have a convertible but I have a 1996 Z28 T-Tops
It has 17x9.5 rims on all 4 corners and it definitely follows ruts/dips in the road if they are bad enough. It isn't the car as the alignment is perfect and suspension is fine as well.
When I had the factory 16" rims on it the car handled the ruts way better. When I switched over to the bigger/wider rims it was noticeably worse. Can be a handful at times and makes driving interesting, lol
(there is a lot of heavy equipment on our highways and streets so they can get pretty bad where I am from)
It has 17x9.5 rims on all 4 corners and it definitely follows ruts/dips in the road if they are bad enough. It isn't the car as the alignment is perfect and suspension is fine as well.
When I had the factory 16" rims on it the car handled the ruts way better. When I switched over to the bigger/wider rims it was noticeably worse. Can be a handful at times and makes driving interesting, lol
(there is a lot of heavy equipment on our highways and streets so they can get pretty bad where I am from)
07-09-2016, 01:34 AM
#5
JC316, I don't have a convertible but I have a 1996 Z28 T-Tops
It has 17x9.5 rims on all 4 corners and it definitely follows ruts/dips in the road if they are bad enough. It isn't the car as the alignment is perfect and suspension is fine as well.
When I had the factory 16" rims on it the car handled the ruts way better. When I switched over to the bigger/wider rims it was noticeably worse. Can be a handful at times and makes driving interesting, lol
(there is a lot of heavy equipment on our highways and streets so they can get pretty bad where I am from)
It has 17x9.5 rims on all 4 corners and it definitely follows ruts/dips in the road if they are bad enough. It isn't the car as the alignment is perfect and suspension is fine as well.
When I had the factory 16" rims on it the car handled the ruts way better. When I switched over to the bigger/wider rims it was noticeably worse. Can be a handful at times and makes driving interesting, lol
(there is a lot of heavy equipment on our highways and streets so they can get pretty bad where I am from)
07-09-2016, 07:59 AM
#6
I have a 99 SS vert.... Took some work but mine drives straight as an arrow, does very well on corners and no shaking, squeaking, etc that you typically get with these convertibles. I will tell you that was NOT the case when I first bought the car. It rode and drove horribly almost to the point of me selling it. I am glad that I didn't. It's tight and rides, drives nicely.
When I purchased, It had shave bump stops ( to the metal), Eibachs, Bilsteins, adj lca's heavy aftermarket ZR1 wheels ( 17x9,17x11). Rode and drove HORRIBLE!!!
I changed everything... Bilstein HD, BMR weld in SFC's, BMR lowering springs, BMR LCA's ( non adj), OEM Bumpstops ( cut evenly just a little) rear BMR sway bar, BMR STB, Chrome OEM 10 spokes w BFG Sport comps,..... Night and day difference. I would encourage anyone who owns a Vert to go over the suspension if you are experiencing what the OP is experiencing. To be clear, this is MY experience. Planning on adding a 4 pt roll bar soon. Hope this helps.
When I purchased, It had shave bump stops ( to the metal), Eibachs, Bilsteins, adj lca's heavy aftermarket ZR1 wheels ( 17x9,17x11). Rode and drove HORRIBLE!!!
I changed everything... Bilstein HD, BMR weld in SFC's, BMR lowering springs, BMR LCA's ( non adj), OEM Bumpstops ( cut evenly just a little) rear BMR sway bar, BMR STB, Chrome OEM 10 spokes w BFG Sport comps,..... Night and day difference. I would encourage anyone who owns a Vert to go over the suspension if you are experiencing what the OP is experiencing. To be clear, this is MY experience. Planning on adding a 4 pt roll bar soon. Hope this helps.
07-09-2016, 08:45 AM
#7
TECH Junkie
It is not a convertible issue. It sounds like you have tramlining issues with your tires. I have never experienced what you have experienced, and I bought my 'vert new. It is still 'stock'. I 've always had quality tires, from the initial Goodyear GS-C, then Goodyear GS-D3, and now BFG G-Force (my least favorite but no issues). My T/A has handled incredibly well. I've tackled all the mountain roads here in western NC including the Tail of the Dragon. I can compare the T/A to other fine handling cars that I have owned as well. A 911 and a BMW Z3. This T/A is no slouch and doesn't take a back seat to anyone. It isn't quite Z3 handling but the drop off is not severe.
Getting back to the tires, many inexpensive tires start having those tramlining issues once past the half way point of the tread life. Sometimes, if mongrel brand, right from the get go. Does that apply with your situation at all? If not, I would next check the alignment and front end suspension again. I hope your issue is just simple. Keep us posted if you feel like it. We all can learn.
Getting back to the tires, many inexpensive tires start having those tramlining issues once past the half way point of the tread life. Sometimes, if mongrel brand, right from the get go. Does that apply with your situation at all? If not, I would next check the alignment and front end suspension again. I hope your issue is just simple. Keep us posted if you feel like it. We all can learn.
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07-09-2016, 12:02 PM
#8
I have a 99 SS vert.... Took some work but mine drives straight as an arrow, does very well on corners and no shaking, squeaking, etc that you typically get with these convertibles. I will tell you that was NOT the case when I first bought the car. It rode and drove horribly almost to the point of me selling it. I am glad that I didn't. It's tight and rides, drives nicely.
When I purchased, It had shave bump stops ( to the metal), Eibachs, Bilsteins, adj lca's heavy aftermarket ZR1 wheels ( 17x9,17x11). Rode and drove HORRIBLE!!!
I changed everything... Bilstein HD, BMR weld in SFC's, BMR lowering springs, BMR LCA's ( non adj), OEM Bumpstops ( cut evenly just a little) rear BMR sway bar, BMR STB, Chrome OEM 10 spokes w BFG Sport comps,..... Night and day difference. I would encourage anyone who owns a Vert to go over the suspension if you are experiencing what the OP is experiencing. To be clear, this is MY experience. Planning on adding a 4 pt roll bar soon. Hope this helps.
When I purchased, It had shave bump stops ( to the metal), Eibachs, Bilsteins, adj lca's heavy aftermarket ZR1 wheels ( 17x9,17x11). Rode and drove HORRIBLE!!!
I changed everything... Bilstein HD, BMR weld in SFC's, BMR lowering springs, BMR LCA's ( non adj), OEM Bumpstops ( cut evenly just a little) rear BMR sway bar, BMR STB, Chrome OEM 10 spokes w BFG Sport comps,..... Night and day difference. I would encourage anyone who owns a Vert to go over the suspension if you are experiencing what the OP is experiencing. To be clear, this is MY experience. Planning on adding a 4 pt roll bar soon. Hope this helps.
It is not a convertible issue. It sounds like you have tramlining issues with your tires. I have never experienced what you have experienced, and I bought my 'vert new. It is still 'stock'. I 've always had quality tires, from the initial Goodyear GS-C, then Goodyear GS-D3, and now BFG G-Force (my least favorite but no issues). My T/A has handled incredibly well. I've tackled all the mountain roads here in western NC including the Tail of the Dragon. I can compare the T/A to other fine handling cars that I have owned as well. A 911 and a BMW Z3. This T/A is no slouch and doesn't take a back seat to anyone. It isn't quite Z3 handling but the drop off is not severe.
Getting back to the tires, many inexpensive tires start having those tramlining issues once past the half way point of the tread life. Sometimes, if mongrel brand, right from the get go. Does that apply with your situation at all? If not, I would next check the alignment and front end suspension again. I hope your issue is just simple. Keep us posted if you feel like it. We all can learn.
Getting back to the tires, many inexpensive tires start having those tramlining issues once past the half way point of the tread life. Sometimes, if mongrel brand, right from the get go. Does that apply with your situation at all? If not, I would next check the alignment and front end suspension again. I hope your issue is just simple. Keep us posted if you feel like it. We all can learn.
07-09-2016, 12:16 PM
#9
Staging Lane
Join Date: May 2016
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RE: Tramlining.
Never heard of this before so I looked it up. Good read below.
You learn something new every day!
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=47
Never heard of this before so I looked it up. Good read below.
You learn something new every day!
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=47
07-09-2016, 04:15 PM
#10
I had front tires that pulled to one side from sitting during winter storage. thought it was an alignment issue. got new front tires and it drives like a cadillac now, except it goes around corners and its fast, LOL
I'd invest in some sub frame connectors (3 point) if you haven't already. They are a HUGE improvement in these cars
I'd invest in some sub frame connectors (3 point) if you haven't already. They are a HUGE improvement in these cars
07-09-2016, 05:26 PM
#11
I have a 99 SS vert...
I changed everything... Bilstein HD, BMR weld in SFC's, BMR lowering springs, BMR LCA's ( non adj), OEM Bumpstops ( cut evenly just a little) rear BMR sway bar, BMR STB, Chrome OEM 10 spokes w BFG Sport comps,..... Night and day difference. I would encourage anyone who owns a Vert to go over the suspension if you are experiencing what the OP is experiencing. To be clear, this is MY experience. Planning on adding a 4 pt roll bar soon. Hope this helps.
I changed everything... Bilstein HD, BMR weld in SFC's, BMR lowering springs, BMR LCA's ( non adj), OEM Bumpstops ( cut evenly just a little) rear BMR sway bar, BMR STB, Chrome OEM 10 spokes w BFG Sport comps,..... Night and day difference. I would encourage anyone who owns a Vert to go over the suspension if you are experiencing what the OP is experiencing. To be clear, this is MY experience. Planning on adding a 4 pt roll bar soon. Hope this helps.
07-13-2016, 06:53 AM
#12
Yes, it did w the crappy Chinese ZR1's that were on it. Currently running the OEM 10 spokes and I love driving the car. I'll look into the Strano bump stops when, if these wear out. I really don't drive the car enough for that to happen though. It's an every now and then cruiser as I own 4 cars...
Nothing in my trunk except perhaps some golf clubs ( every now and then) and the wind stop...
Nothing in my trunk except perhaps some golf clubs ( every now and then) and the wind stop...
Wondering why you cut bump stops, car still hit on bmrs I assume? You know Strano sells other bump stops for our cars, some shorter too and and some made from real rubber, also some generic jeep poly ones, fwiw. I am on bmrs too almost same stuff you have and mine hit. However I keep a lot of stuff in my trunk for shows and cruise inns like two folding chairs, a small ez up too, so I went back to stock rear springs for now until I can install my konis and other bump stops.
