I completely redid the entire front-end on my 1988 IROC. I used all new high end parts front to back, side to side.

The issue is when I try to turn left or right, the tires feel like the edges are digging in and catching, popping loose, and then digging back in again. My drivers side front tyre now hits the inside wheel-well dead center with the front middle of the wheel. Notice I mention CENTER, not top, so it's not a lowering issue. It did not rub before. I am using the same tyre and wheel as before. The springs I used are progressive wound Hotchkis, which does lower the car closer to the pavement than the IROC factory springs (which are lower than the standard Camaro springs).

I'm at a loss.

ALIGNMENT SPECS:

Left Front Cross Camber Right Front
CAMBER: -0.7 -0.2 CAMBER: -0.5

CASTER: 4.9 Cross Caster CASTER: 5.3
-0.4
TOE: 0.00 Total Toe TOE: 0.00
0.01




REAR-END ALIGNMENT SPECS:

Left Rear Right Rear
CAMBER: -0.2 Total Toe CAMBER: -0.4
-0.16
TOE: -0.14 Thrust Angle TOE: -0.02
-0.06

I drove 400 miles to settle in the new parts, and I also replaced the entire rear suspension at the same time. I don't know what the factory specs are for the rear and am concerned that these rear alignment specs might be contributing to the issue?????

Somebody Please Throw Me A Bone Here!
Sincerely, Nitro-Nicky

 

I wonder if it's the negative camber...





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my car does this too, its all stock 1991 z28 frone end w/ poly for the sway bar ends, everything else os origional, 72000 on car, has c5 brakes and y2k rims w/ 2" spacers. the oly thing i can see it being is my steering gear box, all the seals leak and the thing is probly all loose and wobbly, i can tell for sure but i assume it is. i would love to know why this happens

 

My car was doing this too, but it went away after I had it aligned. Here is a thread that talks about what I was dealing with and shows my new alignment specs:https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...alignment.html

I am running poly graphite up front, and have about 20k on the front end re-build.

 

Yes, while researching before posting my issue I read that thread. The only thing I see different is that I don't have the 3/32nds toe. What am I missing? I'm probably not seeing something obvious. Nitro

 

Bump Please.

 

Is this car a DD, why did you decide to go with 0 toe? I would think that this would create a slight tendency for the car to wander when you are going down the road. A little toe in is good as it helps keep the car from wondering. I don't know if this would contribute to the cornering problem though.

 

It's a weekend player, with an emphasis on lot's of empty mountain roads. I had forgotten to write down the toe amount with the other 'performance' alignment specs and the shop that did the alignment felt zero toe would work best. Every time I turn half way to the left or right it's like I just shoved the front brakes to the floor. If I turn the wheels while backing up it will actually bring the car to a complete stop.
I've had it checked 3 times with the newest laser alignment machines. Once I'm going at speed it corners like on a rail.... I'm wondering with the lower Hotchkis springs if it antagonizes the caster angle or if I just installed something incorrectly???? It's been driving me absolutely nuts. And you're right; it does tend to wander more than I want. Nitro

 

What wheels are you running, if you have gone to a wider wheel, coupled with the caster and a possibly a slight change in scrub radius might cause you to hit the inner fender lining with the inner-sidewall of the tire.

I'm am a little unclear though on the exact issue you are describing. Is the issue that your tire/wheel is making contact somewhere when you get close to full lock?

 

Good Questions.
I am using the factory 16inc wheels and tyre size that came on the 1988 IROC. When I called HOTCHKIS, they told me the springs lower the camaro's 1.5 inches. So it's one inch lower than stock.

The issue happens when the wheel is turned half way to the left or the right. Then it starts plowing hard. When I turn it all the way to the right, the drivers side tire hits the inner fender well. That's the only time it hits anything; which I initially thought was the problem.
The issue isn't a little digging in/plowing like sometimes happens; the tyres dig in hard. So if I'm making a turn at an intersection the tires start doing something and the front end wants to stop the car. It grips hard, releases, grips hard, releases, until I start straightening out. That's some heavy duty plowing!!!

Hopefully that helps you help me!

 

I would check for any play in the ball-joints at all, even if they are new. You might also look at some of the steering parts. I have a friend slowly turn the wheels from side to side, and watch for any binding, or any slop, especialy in the idler arm.

--John

 

Check out this thread. I think Sofakingdom describes your problem.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...tml?highlight=

P.S. Also, I'd like to apologize for my terrible post earlier, I originally posted the link that 85IrocZ-28 did, quickly realized that wasn't your problem and couldn't delete my post...I then went on to make up a half-cocked camber theory...