jreynish

iTrader: (2)

What could the cause be for wandering at high speeds, I have Replaced the wheel bearrings, springs, the end link for the sway bar bushings looks a little cracked could that cause the wandering? The power steering does turn off after 35kph, so I don't think it is that, it is the car will randomly jerk to one side or ther other.
Anybody with any ideas as to what would cause this?
Thanks in advance

maxcooper

Some tires simply "tramline" more than others. Alignment can make your car wander. Tie rods might have some slop in them.

-Max

jreynish

iTrader: (2)

It just had an allingment. When I jack up one corner and jerk on the wheel at 12 and 6 and 3 and 9 there isn't too much play.
Any other suggestions?
As for the Tires they are just a new set of what I have been usign for a while TOYO Proxies Fz-4's

jimlab

First, alignment changes as the suspension cycles, so if you're on uneven pavement, you're likely to get some minor bump steer. As Max said, some tread types follow grooves in the pavement more than others and will pull the car in one direction or the other to a greater or lesser degree. Your steering rack also has a certain amount of free play in it (the tires can move to some degree without changing the position of the steering wheel, and vice versa). And finally, there are your suspension bushings, which you didn't mention.

Worn/high mileage bushings will deform further than fresh bushings under load and allow the control arms to move, changing alignment. You will not be able to exert enough force on a wheel by hand to find out if this is the problem, however.

I suspect it's a combination of some or all of the above, but given the tread design of your tire choice, I suspect that's the main culprit. They probably make great all-season tires, but their complicated tread design (compare to the Bridgestone S-03 Pole Position in the second photo) is probably largely to blame.

jreynish

iTrader: (2)

Alright then, My next rellevant question would be;
which bushings are most likely to cause the larger amount of this "wandering" over others?
I have been concidering energy bushings but just can't seem to convince myself
As for the Tires, they never did this before, so that is why I don't think it is too much to do with the tires, however it very well play a part but I would like to get rid of the largest part contributor to my problem.... thanks guy's all the help you have and or will give is appreciated.

maxcooper

Even though it is a fresh alignment, it might be that the settings result in a less stable car than your old alignment. You also have new springs, which might change the ride height and throw some non-adjustable alignment properties (rear camber, for instance) into a zone that gives you a wandering car.

-Max

DamonB

First thing to check is the tire pressure.

If it is in fact the tires tramlining the car will act differently on different roads. Smooth asphalt would pose no problems while something like concrete with it's many seams may pull when the tires are on them. If it pulls no matter what the road you need to check into the suspension more thoroughly.

Gene

iTrader: (1)

You said you had an alignment done... what are the settings? Too much camber or too much toe-out can reduce stability at speed.

SiKoPaThX

iTrader: (2)

Drive the car for a week or so and then look at tread wear on the tire. If you notice one side of any tire worn significantly more than the other side, then you're on your way to figuring out your problem.

jimlab

I'd be surprised if his tread showed any wear. The Toyo FZ4s have a tread wear rating of 300...

concept-R

I had some major wandering when I first bought my car. I was told by the original owner that it could be the suspension. Granted, the suspension is shot, but after some general examination of the running bits, I found that it was uneven tire pressure and that I had a slow leak on one of the tires. Setting the tire pressures corrected the wandering (even with shot suspension).

jreynish

iTrader: (2)

Tired Pressure check, The springs were changed to stock springs, because of ride height, so the suspension with the exception of racing beat sway bars the suspension is back to stock so that I can clear winter roads.
I appreciate all of your comments and suggestions, please keep them comming I will check each one as they come across.
Jeffrey

jreynish

iTrader: (2)

ok so I found a killer deal on Energy Suspension full Bushing Set for my Car, I also bough some Billow Ball Camber Plates, and I am going to order some new Struts/shock most likely KYB AGX adjustables, and with my Apex Springs, I am hoping this will go away, Anybody have any suggestions?

jimlab

Yeah... try different tires. If your tread pattern is to blame, you'll still have the problem no matter how much money you throw at your suspension.

If you can find someone to trade wheels and tires with for a few hours, do it. It may save you a considerable amount of money in the long run.

jreynish

iTrader: (2)

Well I have been wanting to replace my bushings anyway and my struts/shocks so this is just a good reason. as for tires I do not really have anobody else with wheels that will fit... unfourtunately. I have the Toyos on the front right now, and I have some Good Year Winter Tires on the back. If I switched them arround for a bit just to see if that made a difference would that show whether or not it was the tires?

jimlab

Well, that's fine. I'd just hate to see you waste your money and not find the fix.

That's too bad. I would assume that a winter tire is going to have a very similar tread design (i.e. lots of smaller tread blocks) to your all-season fronts. What you really need is a higher performance radial with larger tread blocks to see if that eliminates the tendency to wander. Then again, I've had some that liked to wander also (Dunlop SP8000s on my Supra, for example). The Bridgestone Potenza RE-71s that I replaced them with didn't, however.

They've been replaced with the RE-750s, I believe, which are pretty reasonably priced.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes....=Potenza+RE750

jreynish

iTrader: (2)

Thanks Alot for you help, all of you.
I guess I will just deal with it if it continues afterreplacing bushings, and struts/shocks, until spring when I replace all four tires.
Thank You again
Jeffrey

karken29

My S0-3s are about 60%worn ....and, I've noticed they tend to follow lines in the road surface at high speeds more than they use... as opposed to when they were new. Other than that, they've been really great.