Steering Tramlining

[hughba]

Hi guys,

I recently bought my late '05 manual luxury. She's got 30k on her and has the strangest steering I've ever experienced on any car.

While it doesn't pull to one side on a flat road, it is very responsive to road camber. It pulls strongly with only small road camber. The resistance even changes when changing lanes and traversing the tyre ruts in the lane. The wheel also seems very "jittery".

I have the original 225 bridgestones on factory 17s. Two tyres appear to be wearing more heavily on the outside but it's not super-obvious. I'm not sure if they were rotated before I purchased it - so the fact they are on the front may not be very important.

Is this how the euros are meant to steer or do I have a toe/camber problem?

Cheers,
Huw

[aaronng]

When was the last time you had an alignment done? If you haven't within the past 6 months, get it done. Sounds like the suspension has slowly bent from the potholes and imperfections in the road, causing some form of toe or camber change.

[viper8548]

The euro steering does have quite a sensitive responce to road camber, I had this problem to when I first got my euro as the tramlining was significantly more noticeble than previous cars I have driven, I asked about this before on the forums and it appears to be normal, however in your case it seems like its pretty severe, should probably have an alignment and see if it improves.

[Crapdaz]

Sounds like me you need an alignment, also note the euro is sensitive to tramlining but if your a relatively flat road and all it doesn't pull left or right much.

[EUR003act]

tramlining is fun... keeps you awake and involved!

[unity]

I've noticed that if feels worse when I have just pumped my tires up to 36psi. My fronts got down to 30psi and definitley less noticeable at that level.

[Crapdaz]

tramlining is fun... keeps you awake and involved!

Makes my arms tired within 5mins of driving, NOT WHEN IT WAS ON STOCK SUSP THOUGH...

I've noticed that if feels worse when I have just pumped my tires up to 36psi. My fronts got down to 30psi and definitley less noticeable at that level.

yeh higher the tyre pressure the less flex and the harder the tyre would be

how long before it drops to 30psi? Maybe you got a leak from old puncture in the tyres?
is this measuring in hot or cold condition? Always pump during cold tyre condition.

[unity]

Makes my arms tired within 5mins of driving, NOT WHEN IT WAS ON STOCK SUSP THOUGH...


yeh higher the tyre pressure the less flex and the harder the tyre would be

how long before it drops to 30psi? Maybe you got a leak from old puncture in the tyres?
is this measuring in hot or cold condition? Always pump during cold tyre condition.

I have been lazy of late and have not checked it for a few months. I measure at home when the tyres are cold with a portable guage. I would otherwise check the tyre pressure atleast once a month.

[hughba]

Thanks guys. I might drop past bauies and make an appointment for another day. I refuse to deal with pedders in hobart.

I figured it had quite sensitive steering and perhaps my pressures were on the high side - but it does seem abnormally sensitive. How much should I expect to pay for a wheel alignment? The last vehicle I had one done on had a live axle leaf rear!

[unity]

About $100 for alignment and balance

[hughba]

Is it just me or do FWD cars seem to fall out of alignment much more easily that RWD vehicles?

[tat01]

i noticed that too on my euro, i think its quite normal for it to want to tramline :]
recently had new tyres and alignment done - still there lol. havent had a service for a while but i highly doubt it will be the power steering

i keep mine at 37psi (michelin 16" pp2, stock rims no lowering). i noticed the left side was on 34/35 psi (front/rear) and the right side was on 36psi for both :S