car wandering over bumps
car wandering over bumps Car is starting to wander over bumps and feels somewhat unstable above 70mph. I'll be fighting the steering wheel to keep the car from turning on its own, especially over bumps. In town the has no issues except for bumps. Theres slight play in the steering wheel but its overall tight like my SS was. Just curous what you guys think so I can plan on getting the money to fix it.
I don't see anything mentioning better shocks than stock, and your complaint covers the two biggest issues of poor damping. A lack of stability and the car moving around a lot over bumps.
So, as I often find myself doing, I have to recommend some better dampers first and foremost.
So, as I often find myself doing, I have to recommend some better dampers first and foremost.
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www.stranoparts.com --814-849-3450
Results matter. Talk is cheap. We are miles beyond the success anyone else has had with the 4th gens, and C5, C6, C7 Corvettes,
10 SCCA Solo National Championships, 2008 Driver of they Year, 2012 Driver of Eminence
13 SCCA Pro Solo Nationals Championships
2023 UMI King of the Mountain Champion
I have 115k on mine, and it started doign that as well. I started with wheel balance and that didnt help, then looked at alinement and tie rods, once I got the new tie rods and alignment, the play was gone, and less pull now. One issue that will not go away is the pull over bumps and ruts in the road, but that is being cause by the wide tires most of us run on these. To help that, work with the PSI on the front tires until you find a good range that you like the best for your driving.
+1:
I don't see anything mentioning better shocks than stock, and your complaint covers the two biggest issues of poor damping. A lack of stability and the car moving around a lot over bumps.
So, as I often find myself doing, I have to recommend some better dampers first and foremost.
So, as I often find myself doing, I have to recommend some better dampers first and foremost.
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Brett Foote I would say that it's within the realm of possibility, without knowing the condition of the roads that the car has been driven on, bumps, potholes, a lot of wet weather to "wash out" the grease, etc... At 75,000 miles I'd be looking at the front end wear parts very carefully.
I also realize that I have the tools and experience to replace those parts myself, so it's cheaper for me to replace these parts than somebody that has to pay somebody to do it for them. Therefore I sometimes recommend replacement too quickly, but you also have to keep in mind that these are the components that keep your car under control. Break a b/j or tie rod while at speed, and you've got issues on your hands, in short order.
I also realize that I have the tools and experience to replace those parts myself, so it's cheaper for me to replace these parts than somebody that has to pay somebody to do it for them. Therefore I sometimes recommend replacement too quickly, but you also have to keep in mind that these are the components that keep your car under control. Break a b/j or tie rod while at speed, and you've got issues on your hands, in short order.
i'd say before throwing down a gazillion dollars on random ****, you should jack up the front end of the car (using jack stands), grab the tires and check for excessive movement. like for outer tie rods, (hold 9/3 oclock position to check tie rods) if you notice a lot of movement around the outer tie rod area, replace those for like $40 each yourself.
Thanks for input. If all I'm looking at is normal wear and tear items thats ok. I wish I had the coin for some Koni 4/4s. 
Also, I did notice my front swaybar is gone as the previous owner took it off. Will not having the front swaybar have that much effect or is it possibly a number of possible things contributing?
Also, I did notice my front swaybar is gone as the previous owner took it off. Will not having the front swaybar have that much effect or is it possibly a number of possible things contributing?
i was going to say check the sway bar bushings and end links. but if they are not there then could be the problem. but still "shake down" the front end. if it has play side to side on the tire have someone lay under to find out if its inner or outer tie rod ends. outer rods only take about 10mins each side to change. hope this helps.
I had the same issues with wandering on the freeway, was really scary having to snap the steering wheel 15* to counter steer bumps/ruts on the freeway, was more of an issue on the freeway. I went through my suspension links and all was nice and tight.
I gave up troubleshooting the wandering and figured it was just a f-body chassis issue. The wandering did not go away until I put new shocks - which were Koni's, I was doubtful the shocks would help out with the wandering so much, but they sure did.
If Koni's are out of the question, the AGX adjustable's or re-valved Bilsteins Sam sells are right on the money from what I've read.
My steering wander did not go away until the Koni's went on, because my stock struts were completely shot - I tested them after taking them off and they would not de-complress at all
Koni's were a very expensive option for my budget, took me a while to save up for them, and will take me even longer to get a proper working strut from them (adjuster issues different topic)... You pay a big price for Koni's performance, this does NOT mean you will get your money's worth in service or quality control... but that is another different topic...
I gave up troubleshooting the wandering and figured it was just a f-body chassis issue. The wandering did not go away until I put new shocks - which were Koni's, I was doubtful the shocks would help out with the wandering so much, but they sure did.
If Koni's are out of the question, the AGX adjustable's or re-valved Bilsteins Sam sells are right on the money from what I've read.
My steering wander did not go away until the Koni's went on, because my stock struts were completely shot - I tested them after taking them off and they would not de-complress at all
Koni's were a very expensive option for my budget, took me a while to save up for them, and will take me even longer to get a proper working strut from them (adjuster issues different topic)... You pay a big price for Koni's performance, this does NOT mean you will get your money's worth in service or quality control... but that is another different topic...
Last edited by Dmitriy; Aug 16, 2010 at 08:05 AM. Reason: cause i cant fucking spell or structure my sentences to save a drowning child; fuck it
Thanks for input. If all I'm looking at is normal wear and tear items thats ok. I wish I had the coin for some Koni 4/4s.
Also, I did notice my front swaybar is gone as the previous owner took it off. Will not having the front swaybar have that much effect or is it possibly a number of possible things contributing?
Also, I did notice my front swaybar is gone as the previous owner took it off. Will not having the front swaybar have that much effect or is it possibly a number of possible things contributing?
Check the parts forum it's possible to find either a good used aftermarket or stock front swaybar that would certainly help your situation.
I would also agree with checking rod ends and just alignment in general can cause wandering issues.
I'd check on shocks, check the tie rods
and if its ever been apart, like the k member out, check the bolt on the rag joint at the rack, I've had a car that that someone didnt tighten that on good enough and ther steering had play
and if its ever been apart, like the k member out, check the bolt on the rag joint at the rack, I've had a car that that someone didnt tighten that on good enough and ther steering had play
