2000SSNB

iTrader: (4)

Lately I have noticed that the steering wheel responds much more to
uneven road surfaces (patches and the like) than it used to. I replaced a loose outer tie rod but this did not make a difference. Otherwise,
when road surface is even, it feels fine.
The roads around here are in pretty bad shape because of winter.

What could be the cause of this? The car is a 2000 Camaro SS with about
31,000 miles. I replaced the steering fluid twice since we bought the car (last
summer).

Thanks,

Gert

Zymosis

iTrader: (7)

Mine does it too, especially with wider tires. Even with the stock rims and tires, it was kind of annoying sometimes, especially on really uneven roads.

GXP Lover

I'm forgetting the name of the effect right now but this is common especially with wider tires, like on the SS. The crown in the road essentially changes the steering angle for you, then you have to correct it to go in the direction you want.

z_speedfreak

iTrader: (3)

is it rut trailing? im having a brain fart too. I hate it, specialy late at night when -of course theres a cop right on my ***, i have to give it everything I got to try and make it seem like im not a drunk driver or anything. the roads are compleatly covered in ruts around me from all the trucks

z_speedfreak

iTrader: (3)

-tramlining thats it!

2000SSNB

iTrader: (4)

okay - tramlining - but it seems to have gotten worse
without my tires having gotten wider! So what are
other factors which amplify this effect?

Thanks,

Gert

BlackHawk T/A

iTrader: (3)

Treadwear I believe. How are your tires?

scrmnws6

iTrader: (7)

Baer has a fix for this. They are called Baer Tracker Tie Rod Ends. Had it insatlled, got an alignment, and now I can let go of the steerign wheel on unevern roads and the car will still go straight. Gotta love it.

I did try other things before I found this product. I had purchased new tires and had an alignment done immediately and that didnt fix it. The Baer tracker was the only thing that fixed it.

Cal

iTrader: (1)

It's not really the width of the tires, but the ratio of width to height. Tires with stiff sidewalls make it worse too.

Could be wheel alignment. Any toe out will contribute to tramiling in a big way.

Roadhouse

iTrader: (8)

Worn front end parts like tie rod ends, upper and/or lower ball joints, wheel bearings and even worn bushings in the upper and/or lower A arms. I know your car has just 31k on it but, for some reason those pieces mentioned above don't last very long on these cars so it wouldn't hurt to get those things checked out.

2000SSNB

iTrader: (4)

Thanks for the feedback. Before I go fancy I can check tires
and wheel alignment. If that won't do it I plan to go the Baer
tracker tie rod route.
Thanks,
Gert

Charles Cyrus

scrmnws6, Do you have a part # and a place to buy this kit. Thanks

Zymosis

iTrader: (7)

http://www.baer.com/Products/BaerTracker.aspx

"We are currently in the process of updating our product database. For product inquires please contact us at 602-233-1411."

Charles Cyrus

Thank you scrmnws6 and zymosis. Got one on the way from SDPC.

1993-Up F-Body EradiSpeed Bump Steer Kit


Price: $141.95

Part # BAE3301011
Brand: Baer Brake Systems
QTY:

TripleTransAm

I'm having to deal with this problem myself... it's been close to a year.

Here's the killer... for the first six years of ownership (I bought the car new), the car was as stable as could be. I called it my 'cadillac', it was so easy to drive.

Then, last year the town where I live decided to lay down a second layer of asphalt on part of the road I take to get to a highway, and decided to leave a sharp 3-4 inch height difference between both layers. Next morning I came along at an easy 30-ish MPH and WHAMM! WHAMM! Both front and rear tires hit pretty hard, and the steering's been a b*tch ever since. Tramlining, having to fight the steering with a great deal of force over road irregularities, etc.

I too have swapped out tie rod ends (one slightly worn inner, and a slightly worn outer on the other side) but no improvement. I had the rear end checked for an odd thrust angle... no problems there. I had the alignment checked that morning immediately after the hit... no changes to my specs.

The worst part: every "technician" who has a look at my car says the same thing... it's the wide tires. While they are not the original tires, they are the same exact size, and it doesn't explain why they worked just fine for 2 years prior to the hit.

Wheels and tires appear to be in good shape, no dents or irregularities and no vibes.


I'm pretty much resigned to the reality that I'm not going to get much help in the matter from any of the GM "certified" technician-monkeys, so that means I gotta start replacing things one by one. I've done sway bar end links, no improvement. Changed shocks, front and rear, no improvement. What's next? Spindle? A-arms? Which one would give me the bigger bang for the buck as far as chances of resolving my problem? I just want my car back the way it was for the first 7 years of ownership!

JD_AMG

My car does this an always has (had it now for about 10,000 miles). Everyone one that I know with an fbody, their car does this. I had one of my tie rods replaced a while back(steering wheel shaking) and no difference as far as "tramlining" goes.

TripleTransAm

I'd love to know why my car never did that during the first 6+ years of ownership, though. And why suddenly the problem popped out of nowhere when that incident occurred.

I had that problem pretty bad on my GTA until early 2000 when I replaced the front struts and went as positive with the caster as possible (with something very light like -0.1 camber). The car straightened right up and became a breeze to drive. I believe I'm at max caster that I can get on my WS6 (4.5-ish) but that didn't appear to change when the incident occurred.

From what I understand, high caster should reduce tramlining?

11 Bravo

iTrader: (3)

No one has mentioned to check the air pressure yet, so I will. Alot of folks run too low.

Country Boy

iTrader: (24)

Ive always thought it was called tracking... whats tramlining? Mine has done it forever.

BlkT/A01

I just got a T/a a week ago and i noticed the same thing but never really worried about it. Should i be worried?