Steering Issue for Newbie!!!
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Saint Lucie, FL
Steering Issue for Newbie!!! I have a 99 ss with the FE4 option. I have replaced the rack both inner and outer tie rod ends and both front hub assembly's. The issue is when I am driving straight the car just seems to jolt to the left or the right. Happens on diffrent roads. The steering feels tight not sure what else it could be? I have had 2 alignment's. Could this be ball joints? Thanks in advance.
it could be ball joints, but having had an alignment the first thing any competent shop would check is the condition of your ball joints because if there is any slop you can't set alignment that well it'll keep changing. but if the ball joints are tight then i suggest making sure your alignment is such that you have close to 4° of positive caster or more, and even caster both sides or zero cross caster. some places will put more caster on the right wheel to compensate for road crown which can cause problems because not all roads slope to the right. more positive caster will want to keep the car going straight and make the steering wheel heavier and make the wheel return to center after a turn. more toe in or positive tow will help with the car going straight at speed, when they set toe closer to zero or if it goes negative at all then you can get over steer and the car can get squirly on roads with ruts.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Saint Lucie, FL
Found the ladt print or from the alignment shop it reads
Left Front. Right Front
Camber. -0.8 maxed out? Camber -0.1
Caster. 4.5. Caster. 5.5
Toe. -0.1. Toe. 0.00
Rear Left. Rear Right
Camber. -0.5. Camber. 0.3
Toe. .20. Toe. 0.22
He said the left front Camber was maxed out? Not sure how to fix that. However with the toe negative on the front left and zero on the front right do you think this could be the problem? How do the rest of those numbers look to you? Thank you in advance for all your help.
Left Front. Right Front
Camber. -0.8 maxed out? Camber -0.1
Caster. 4.5. Caster. 5.5
Toe. -0.1. Toe. 0.00
Rear Left. Rear Right
Camber. -0.5. Camber. 0.3
Toe. .20. Toe. 0.22
He said the left front Camber was maxed out? Not sure how to fix that. However with the toe negative on the front left and zero on the front right do you think this could be the problem? How do the rest of those numbers look to you? Thank you in advance for all your help.
Launching!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: WI
My car was doing this, and getting progressively worse. Suspension wise everything was in great shape. When I replaced my old tires it was an immediate improvement, handled like I remembered it did in the past. The old tires weren't completely shot, just kinda past their prime. YMMV
After replacing all those front end parts, you may be dealing with some improper wear on your front tires that you are now fighting.
After replacing all those front end parts, you may be dealing with some improper wear on your front tires that you are now fighting.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Saint Lucie, FL
My car was doing this, and getting progressively worse. Suspension wise everything was in great shape. When I replaced my old tires it was an immediate improvement, handled like I remembered it did in the past. The old tires weren't completely shot, just kinda past their prime. YMMV
After replacing all those front end parts, you may be dealing with some improper wear on your front tires that you are now fighting.
After replacing all those front end parts, you may be dealing with some improper wear on your front tires that you are now fighting.
Teching In
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Wichita, KS
Found the ladt print or from the alignment shop it reads
Left Front. Right Front
Camber. -0.8 maxed out? Camber -0.1
Caster. 4.5. Caster. 5.5
Toe. -0.1. Toe. 0.00
Rear Left. Rear Right
Camber. -0.5. Camber. 0.3
Toe. .20. Toe. 0.22
He said the left front Camber was maxed out? Not sure how to fix that. However with the toe negative on the front left and zero on the front right do you think this could be the problem? How do the rest of those numbers look to you? Thank you in advance for all your help.
Left Front. Right Front
Camber. -0.8 maxed out? Camber -0.1
Caster. 4.5. Caster. 5.5
Toe. -0.1. Toe. 0.00
Rear Left. Rear Right
Camber. -0.5. Camber. 0.3
Toe. .20. Toe. 0.22
He said the left front Camber was maxed out? Not sure how to fix that. However with the toe negative on the front left and zero on the front right do you think this could be the problem? How do the rest of those numbers look to you? Thank you in advance for all your help.
What did you drive before? Iv had my ws6 for 8 years now and it takes awhile to get used to. Most of the guys on here talk about tracking and wide tires. This is actually a pretty normal complaint. I dont drive my car much now but when I do i have to remember the tracking.
Search in the tires/suspension section.
Good Luck and welcome
Search in the tires/suspension section.
Good Luck and welcome
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Saint Lucie, FL
What did you drive before? Iv had my ws6 for 8 years now and it takes awhile to get used to. Most of the guys on here talk about tracking and wide tires. This is actually a pretty normal complaint. I dont drive my car much now but when I do i have to remember the tracking.
Search in the tires/suspension section.
Good Luck and welcome
Search in the tires/suspension section.
Good Luck and welcome
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On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Weymouth, MA
I am having same problems in my 02 SS and I did some looking into it because I thought my car was plotting to kill me. This lead me to what some call tramlining or crowning. This was confirmed to definitely be the case per my cars Manual. Section 5, Answers to Commonly Asked Questions.
Under certain conditions, why does my Camaro(SS) have trough wander(pull to the side)?
This is an inherent characteristic of wider wheels and tires. On worn road surfaces, ruts develop due to heavy or extreme traffic. These "ruts" distribute an uneven load across the surface of the tire. In such cases, the load is usually concentrated toward the outer edges of the tread. Load concentration in this manner can lead to the sensation of vehicle wander. This is magnified due to the positive road feel of the Camaro(SS) and should not be a cause for undue concern.
Word for word from Chevy. I just got my car less than a month ago and had my mechanic do a precheck on it and said everything was fine but I still felt the car was out to get me now I know, so be on guard.
Under certain conditions, why does my Camaro(SS) have trough wander(pull to the side)?
This is an inherent characteristic of wider wheels and tires. On worn road surfaces, ruts develop due to heavy or extreme traffic. These "ruts" distribute an uneven load across the surface of the tire. In such cases, the load is usually concentrated toward the outer edges of the tread. Load concentration in this manner can lead to the sensation of vehicle wander. This is magnified due to the positive road feel of the Camaro(SS) and should not be a cause for undue concern.
Word for word from Chevy. I just got my car less than a month ago and had my mechanic do a precheck on it and said everything was fine but I still felt the car was out to get me now I know, so be on guard.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Saint Lucie, FL
I am having same problems in my 02 SS and I did some looking into it because I thought my car was plotting to kill me. This lead me to what some call tramlining or crowning. This was confirmed to definitely be the case per my cars Manual. Section 5, Answers to Commonly Asked Questions.
Under certain conditions, why does my Camaro(SS) have trough wander(pull to the side)?
This is an inherent characteristic of wider wheels and tires. On worn road surfaces, ruts develop due to heavy or extreme traffic. These "ruts" distribute an uneven load across the surface of the tire. In such cases, the load is usually concentrated toward the outer edges of the tread. Load concentration in this manner can lead to the sensation of vehicle wander. This is magnified due to the positive road feel of the Camaro(SS) and should not be a cause for undue concern.
Word for word from Chevy. I just got my car less than a month ago and had my mechanic do a precheck on it and said everything was fine but I still felt the car was out to get me now I know, so be on guard.
Under certain conditions, why does my Camaro(SS) have trough wander(pull to the side)?
This is an inherent characteristic of wider wheels and tires. On worn road surfaces, ruts develop due to heavy or extreme traffic. These "ruts" distribute an uneven load across the surface of the tire. In such cases, the load is usually concentrated toward the outer edges of the tread. Load concentration in this manner can lead to the sensation of vehicle wander. This is magnified due to the positive road feel of the Camaro(SS) and should not be a cause for undue concern.
Word for word from Chevy. I just got my car less than a month ago and had my mechanic do a precheck on it and said everything was fine but I still felt the car was out to get me now I know, so be on guard.
On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Weymouth, MA
No problem, just gotta know where you can floor it hahaha Ive almost pooped my pants a couple times cuz it would just start pulling, girlfriend was like WTF huh
