Steering feels "sqirmy"

[Q451990]

I've noticed something weird lately (last few months) about Q2's steering. It shows up mostly at low speeds on roads with ruts, typically near an intersection where there are ruts or grooves in the pavement from years of stopping.

In any case the car has a lot of side to side squrim in these situations at about 20-30MPH. I've checked for any loosness in the suspension with the wheels off of the ground. I replaced a lot of parts last year (shocks, shock bushings, sway bar bushings and end links/bushings, rack bushings, outer tie rods, upper links, tension rod bushings, etc.) and they all still look fine.

Any ideas on what's going on? Maybe the wider tires have something to do with it?

Heath

[psychic_mechanic]

It could be your toe settings, when is the last time you had the car aligned?

I like to think of alignments as preventative maintenence, tires are expensive.

[duck3986]

If you've noticed this since adding wider tires, then it's definitely the tires. Also, stiffer sidewalls/performance tires do this.

I have an '00 Corvette and it does exactly what you describe in ruts and uneven pavement and it's always more noticeable when breaking.

[Q451990]

Now that you mention it, I think the most notable event was while breaking, and on wet pavement.

I've been running these tires with this car since I started driving it last fall, but these ruts are fairly rare, so I may not have noticed it at first. The tires are 255/50/16 Michelin Pilot XGTH4. With a 99 load rating, I assume the sidewall is fairly stiff, although these are the single-ply version of the tire.

Glad to hear that it may be normal...

Heath

[Q45tech]

Have you checked the metal top hat on front struts, both of nine had the rubber isolator break lose from metal [floating inside] ........... $27 each.Made a serious difference in feel.

[Q451990]

Have you checked the metal top hat on front struts, both of nine had the rubber isolator break lose from metal [floating inside] ........... $27 each.Made a serious difference in feel.

I replaced them last year, about 20K ago... I assume they're OK. I looked at them from the top, but I'm not sure how to check them further without removing the strut assembly.

Heath