Front tires skip when in reverse
i know this is probably not what you have but by any chance do you have the tie rods in backwards? i know at work we had a big truck come in complaining of that and the inner tie rods were installed backwards
I had the same problem with 2 different types of tires. Car would also dart all over the place, especially when changing lanes that had any kind of groove.
The fix was a "second" front end alignment from another shop. Just remember there are incompetant people everywhere.
The fix was a "second" front end alignment from another shop. Just remember there are incompetant people everywhere.
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mine does this too, I noticed it when I switched over to 17x9.5's with used 275/40 tires up front. When I put new tires on up front, It went away a lot, but as these have worn, it's gotten worse again.
I'm 90% sure it has to do with the tire tread/ width of the tire.
I'm 90% sure it has to do with the tire tread/ width of the tire.
Staging Lane
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 83
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From: California
My 97 is doing this too. I first though it was the rocks in my driveway causing my tires to slip. It happens when I'm backing out of my driveway in reverse turning the wheel. It feels like a jerk on the front end. Its strange and I'm not sure what the problem is.
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
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Posts: 605
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From: Pineville, LA
Described exactly.
TECH Resident
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From: Holmes County (thats right Amish Country), OHIO
Is it still in four wheel drive. 
I'm just kidding. Have you turned the wheel completely to the stop to see if its anywhere near rubbing. Will it do this on any surface? Like have you made sure its not icy out.
I'm just kidding. Have you turned the wheel completely to the stop to see if its anywhere near rubbing. Will it do this on any surface? Like have you made sure its not icy out. 
My '84 Z28 did this with the IROC rims/tires, my 2002 does it also- from day one! Steering geometry has something to do with this. When you turn the wheel to the extremes, the angle between the two front wheels changes. That is, the inner wheel angle is tighter (I think) than the outside wheel to facilitate the tight turn and wide tires. The name of this angle escapes me, It's a dudes name.. could this be the cause? Like I said, this is normal for my car from my first owning BOTH of them and one only had 245-50-16s!
Staging Lane
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Hagerstown, Maryland
mine does this too, I noticed it when I switched over to 17x9.5's with used 275/40 tires up front. When I put new tires on up front, It went away a lot, but as these have worn, it's gotten worse again.
I'm 90% sure it has to do with the tire tread/ width of the tire.
I'm 90% sure it has to do with the tire tread/ width of the tire.
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (6)
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Pineville, LA
Does it turned all the way, halfway, and even just a tad bit turned. Did it in the summer, fall, and winter. The tires aren't rubbing anything. When I first got it, I had no problems and that was over 3 years ago and I put the rims and tires on around that time also and just started happening.
My car recently did the same thing. I had a wheel that was bent and didn't know it, so I swapped both fronts out with new tires and two c5 wagons I had lying around. About a week later I replaced all 4 calipers, pads, and rotors. My fronts especially with braided lines and I noticed the issue disappeared. Your issue could be different but I think mine was either the bent wheel or worn/damaged brake setup.
Like others...not trying to insult ya here. But have you double checked that there are no inside mounted wheel weights getting caught on your tie rods when you turn? I had that happen on my 87. Going forward didnt matter because the wheels were being pushed, and it just wore the weights down real quick. But going in reverse, it was like a sharks tooth. Would let the wheel rotate forward, but not backwards. And it would get caught up a little. Ended up getting stick on weights.
If thats not it...Im going to say its a brake binding issue. Have you checked your pads for even wear? Make sure they arent wearing like wedges. If it doesnt matter what angle you have your wheel at, or how fast you are going, something has to be binding you up.
Have you jacked up a corner and tried spinning the wheels by hand? To make sure the wheel bearings arent going bad?
It'd be cool if you could get a video of it happening. Even cooler if you could find a way to attach the camera under the car to look at the spindle area while reversing.
J.
If thats not it...Im going to say its a brake binding issue. Have you checked your pads for even wear? Make sure they arent wearing like wedges. If it doesnt matter what angle you have your wheel at, or how fast you are going, something has to be binding you up.
Have you jacked up a corner and tried spinning the wheels by hand? To make sure the wheel bearings arent going bad?
It'd be cool if you could get a video of it happening. Even cooler if you could find a way to attach the camera under the car to look at the spindle area while reversing.
J.
My 97 is doing this too. I first though it was the rocks in my driveway causing my tires to slip. It happens when I'm backing out of my driveway in reverse turning the wheel. It feels like a jerk on the front end. Its strange and I'm not sure what the problem is.
My '84 Z28 did this with the IROC rims/tires, my 2002 does it also- from day one! Steering geometry has something to do with this. When you turn the wheel to the extremes, the angle between the two front wheels changes. That is, the inner wheel angle is tighter (I think) than the outside wheel to facilitate the tight turn and wide tires. The name of this angle escapes me, It's a dudes name.. could this be the cause? Like I said, this is normal for my car from my first owning BOTH of them and one only had 245-50-16s!
TECH Regular
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 400
Likes: 2
My 88 IROC did this in reverse and going forward too at parking lot speeds. The TA I have now started doing it after I lowered it. I think it has a lot to do with too much negative camber. It's more noticeable on cold pavement.