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i just picked up a 2000 Camaro Z28 last week. I’ve owned 6 other Camaros, but this is my first 4th gen.
My question is this...the steering seems a bit tough/tight or slow in this car. Is that normal? There isn’t any whining like the pump is low on fluid or anything. I did notice that the last owner must have swapped out the factory 16” rims for 17” rims all around. I can’t tell if they are the factory SS rims, different Camaro rims or maybe Corvette rims. I’ve included a pic of the rear rim and a close up of the center. All of the rims and centers look like this.
However, I did notice two different sized tires on it. The fronts are 275/40ZR17, which would be the stock tire size for the 17” SS rims. The rears are 245/45R17. I don’t know why that size was chosen. That shouldn’t affect the turning of the front tires, right? I’m just wondering why it seems tough to turn compared to other cars I drive. Almost like the power steering is turned on like 80%.
Plus I’m curious if these are factory rims off another year Camaro or Corvette rims. Any way to tell?
Thanks,
Mat
Pass rear rim Center of pass rear rim
Last edited by Z28_Demon; May 13, 2019 at 04:48 PM.
Reason: spelling
Those look like corvette zr1's. The rear tires are Blizzak snow tires, which do not run wide. I run 275/40-17s on similar wheels and steering feels fine. I don't know how good those Blizzaks are at handling turns, etc, but I would get 275's for the rear to take that out of the equation.
I appreciate the info. Ironically the Blizzaks are on the rear rims. Those are the ones that are 245/45R17's. On the front are Sumitomo's that are 275/40ZR17. :-) I also thought that the rear tires (the Blizzaks) seemed to be a bit small (width wise) when I looked at them). Then I saw the size compared to the Sumitomo's on the front and it made sense. The Sumitomo's look normal compared to the Blizzaks. They seem to be "bowed out" to me, meaning they are too small of a tire on a wide rim. Plus, on looking up rims and such, they appear to possibly be 1997-1999 Camaro SS rims that are 17x9. I think they replaced the center caps to ones that look like a Vette. Or, as you said, they may be ZR1 rims with the factory inserts.
It's possible the power steering pump is going bad. I don't know. It isn't like it is really bad, but just feels tight. Maybe it needs an alignment. it did feel a bit "strange" in the rain when I drove it home. So, it might be possible that it needs to be aligned badly and that is why it feels that way. I haven't had time to work on it yet, so I haven't been able to jack it up and check the front end to see if it feels loose or what not. I can't check alignment since I don't have a machine or anything for that, so I'd have to take it to a tire shop and just have them do one. The good thing is the "normal" tires are on the front, so that should help with the alignment. Hopefully I can replace the rear tires with some 275/40ZR17's (like the Sumitomo's) and then get the front end aligned. That will then tell me if it was/is the tires or if the pump is going bad.
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
It's not ironic that the Blizzaks are on the rear - they're snow tires and it's a rear wheel drive car. I suspect that the previous owner put on snow tires for the winter and used that smaller size because the 275/40-17 isn't available. The 245/45-17 has almost exactly the same circumference so that was a wise choice in terms of affecting the speedometer and ABS system. If you can contact the previous owner, it might be worth asking if they still have the other two tires that match the front.
Steering feel is subjective so it's hard to tell whether the tightness you describe is normal or not. My Trans Am definitely had less power steering boost than many other cars I have owned - especially GM family sedans. Getting an alignment is probably a good idea but it wouldn't hurt to ask the mechanic to drive it and see if it feels normal. They drive thousands of cars so they can usually tell when something doesn't feel right. Just make sure you trust the mechanic not to try to sell you repairs you might not need.
It's not ironic that the Blizzaks are on the rear - they're snow tires and it's a rear wheel drive car. I suspect that the previous owner put on snow tires for the winter and used that smaller size because the 275/40-17 isn't available. The 245/45-17 has almost exactly the same circumference so that was a wise choice in terms of affecting the speedometer and ABS system. If you can contact the previous owner, it might be worth asking if they still have the other two tires that match the front.
Steering feel is subjective so it's hard to tell whether the tightness you describe is normal or not. My Trans Am definitely had less power steering boost than many other cars I have owned - especially GM family sedans. Getting an alignment is probably a good idea but it wouldn't hurt to ask the mechanic to drive it and see if it feels normal. They drive thousands of cars so they can usually tell when something doesn't feel right. Just make sure you trust the mechanic not to try to sell you repairs you might not need.
Makes sense. Unfortunately I purchased from a dealer so no way to get previous tires. I’ll probably just buy a new set to replace the Blizzaks. I do know a mechanic I trust so I might try your suggestion out. I’m comparing it to a 2007 Tahoe, a 2019 Equinox and a 2012 Mustang convertible.
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
I would say that my T/A steering was very similar to my '11 Mustang so if your Camaro is tighter/stiffer than your Mustang then there's probably something wrong. The different sizes shouldn't cause the problem... the rear wheels aren't involved in steering and lots of people use staggered tire sizes (usually the other way around - bigger in the back). I would think it's something like alignment, binding in the steering linkage, or the power steering pump. Start with alignment with your trusted mechanic and they will tell you if they find problems in the linkage.
I would say that my T/A steering was very similar to my '11 Mustang so if your Camaro is tighter/stiffer than your Mustang then there's probably something wrong. The different sizes shouldn't cause the problem... the rear wheels aren't involved in steering and lots of people use staggered tire sizes (usually the other way around - bigger in the back). I would think it's something like alignment, binding in the steering linkage, or the power steering pump. Start with alignment with your trusted mechanic and they will tell you if they find problems in the linkage.
WhiteBird...I'm with ya on this. I figured the rear tires wouldn't make any change to the front, but thought I'd ask just in case. I have a feeling they threw the different sized rims and tires on the car and never had it aligned. That is my guess. First gear isn't so hot in the 4L60E either. That's one of the reasons I'd like to dump it for a T-56. The rest of the gears are okay, but first seems like it was hammered out before I got it. Delay and then goes. So, I'm sure it's toast and slipping. Plus, I just like sticks in muscle cars anyway. Just a thing with me. However, if it ends up looking like it is going to be a ton (which that's the way it seems now) to get a used T-56 that isn't totally screwed, rebuild it and put it in, then I may look into a 4L85E. I think that is the one that is equivalent to a TH400. I will just get one and rebuild it so that it is stronger.
However, right now, I don't know where to start, so I'm kind of just starting with little stuff like the steering and stuff like that where I notice issues. I already know the engine is going to be a major money issue as well as the trans, even if I keep it an auto. I just wish I could find someone local willing to swap my auto for their manual. :-/ I've been out of the game way too long...I need to get back into the swing of where to find parts and deals and stuff like that. LOL
Any which way, I'm looking into finding two P275/40ZR17's to replace the Blizzaks with and then have the front end aligned. This way I know all that will be good to go and if there are still issues, I'll go from there.
Question. Would an under drive pulley slow down the steering or make it feel like it is manual steering?
i know it needs an alignment for sure but the more I drive it the more it almost feels like manual steering but the power steering pump is there and the belt is connected. Plus, at idle my volt gauge goes almost into the red on the low side. I’m wondering if an underdrive pulley would do these things...or...I just have a dying alternator and steering pump.
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2000 Z28 steering issues 
Those are the ones that are 245/45R17's. On the front are Sumitomo's that are 275/40ZR17. :-) I also thought that the rear tires (the Blizzaks) seemed to be a bit small (width wise) when I looked at them). Then I saw the size compared to the Sumitomo's on the front and it made sense. The Sumitomo's look normal compared to the Blizzaks. They seem to be "bowed out" to me, meaning they are too small of a tire on a wide rim. Plus, on looking up rims and such, they appear to possibly be 1997-1999 Camaro SS rims that are 17x9. I think they replaced the center caps to ones that look like a Vette. Or, as you said, they may be ZR1 rims with the factory inserts.
