Hey Guys,

I recently mounted new wheels and tires. I now have 275/40-17's on all four corners. Today, I took the car down for a front alignment and found that I had a worn ball joint on the passenger side, which I had replaced. With the alignment done, the steering feels a little funny to me. The car pulls to the left just a bit. Also, when I turn either direction, it feels like the car is falling off in the opposite direction and then suddenly turns. Almost like a delayed reaction. I hope this makes sense as I don't know what the correct terminology is to describe this condition. Alignment Specs are as follows:

Left Camber 0.3 --- Right Camber 0.0
Cross Camber 0.2
Left Caster 3.4 --- Right Caster 3.8
Cross Caster -0.5
Left Toe 0.00 --- Right Toe 0.01
Total Toe 0.01
Set Back -0.13

Besides the Toe Adjustment, I don't really know what these readings mean. Help from knowledgeable members appreciated...

 

Sometimes you get what is called "tracking" with wide tires up front. It is noticable in 3rd gens a lot but not so much in 4th gens. What happens is that the tire picks up and follows the tiniest of grooves in the road and sorta steers the car.

 

So, it just feels different and I should get used to it?

 

it may not be a problem, the specs look descent, with 0.5 cross caster, if you are on a flat road it will pull a little. if you are on a road with a crown, it should track pretty smooth. also, with 0 toe, it will probably feel diffrent than if you had like 1/16 toe before. especialy since slight toe adjustments effect ackerman.

you also have 0 camber, for an aggressive car, that should be closer to -1.0 on both sides have -.3 on 1 side, and 0 on the other might be part of why it is pulling a little.

i would also suggest you fix the ball joint.

 

The new tires have less give on the sidewalls- much more responsive and gripping. Since they have faster response and greater tration, what is happing now is the STRUT MOUNT rubber bushings are flexing over to a point, then stabilizing against the side of the mount as you turn- thus the delayed reation in response, then it turns great- correct?

Get rid of those rubber stock strut mounts- 3rd best improvement you can do next to tires and good shocks.

 

Okay, great info... thanks guys. I had been looking into a good spring/shock combination. I just need to set aside the $700 for what I want. Problem is, everytime I do something, I prolong finishing the engine/tranny combo.

***note to self: buy lotto ticket tonight.***

I put about 100 miles on the car today and I am getting used to it. It's different though.

vsixtoy - What you described is exactly how the car is responding. The car also feels like it wants to push under hard cornering as the rear feels planted. This was not the case before.

Thanks again for the responses, guys.

 

vexter, I know this may not be on-topic here, but you have the exact tire size I was thinking of buying.

Did you have to make any modifications to fit those things under the fenders?

Do you have a few pictures of your car? or do you mind taking a few? Maybe some closeups of those wheels .

 

Some pics here...

I didn't roll the lip on the rear, but it needs to be done. I don't have any rubbing in the front, although it's close when the wheels are turned to the stops. I can take more pics if desired.

 

thanks for that link. That is one sweet lookin' ride