I just put on some 255/45R17 tires on friday. This was a big jump from my stock 215/65R15 tires. Anyways, last night was the first time that a drove with them and I noticed they they steer a lot harder, and seem to want to do there own thing. When I passed a truck I almost lost control. I think maybe I need a front end alignment. Anyone else have this problem.

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yellow 86 Camaro
LG4 700R4
Pioneer head unit
Kenwood speakers
Infinity Beta Digital 300 amp
2 Infinity Perfect 12s

Now KYB equipped!!

 

I hae the same size up front mine pull but only during hard breaking but not usually during regular driving.

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1992 383 Z-28 w/SuperRam intake and ACCEL DFI, PA Racing K frame,SS hood,SS rims

 

I am not running that size, but I have noticed that with 255-50-16's my car follows the road. Meaning if the road is beat down say from large trucks then my car will follow the depressions in the road. And it is not fun when you are in traffic and it starts wandering like that.

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LOBC-- SS-84

92 RS Heritage package with a 305 3" high-flow cat and pipe with a Dynomax 3" in dual 2 1/2" out.

84 El camino- 383 CID, Performer RPM, GMPP vortec heads, Holley 750 D.P.(0-4779c), Crane Energizer 274,Dual 3" Flowmaster 40 Series Exhaust, Turbo 350 (375b), TCI 2500 stall, Richmond 3.42 gears, PST Poly graphite Suspension bushings, PST steering linkage, PST springs, Monte SS sway bays, Wheels from a Third gen(does that count?)

 

that excately what mine does. It follows the road. If I let go of the steering wheel, it will drift left and then get on the high part in the middle of the road and stay there for a little while, then go back right, and then drift left again. I am seriosly thinking about getting my front-end aligned again. (will be the second time this year)

 

Wider tires are more prone to tramlining.

 

What about the wheels? You went from 15s to 17s. Do the 17s you purchased have the proper backspacing. This could create more steering resistance and driving problems if the backspacing on the front wheels is wrong. Also, how wide are the 17 inch wheels. They should be at least 8 inches wide for 255/45 tires. Anything narrower then that can cause drivability problems too.

 

the wheels are 9" wide. And the back spacing is correct.

 

When you go to wider wheels you have to get the car realigned with this in mind. You have moved the center of the wheels outward, so all of your aligning torques will not be working right. You can't go by the book on this one. The alignment shop is going to have to do some real thinking, either that or some of the people on here have their own caster camber toe measurements that they like to run. I need to brush up on this, but I think that if you go to more aggressive setting with camber and toe it will fix a lot of your problems.

I just thought of this. I'm not exactly sure, and someone correct me if I'm wrong, but the Ackerman angles might also need to be changed for wider wheels. You don't need to worry about this because it involves different spindles. Just a thought.

[This message has been edited by ATOMonkey (edited August 13, 2001).]

 

if you think its hard driving now, try it without power steering! just put headers on, and now need a new bracket for it. I just took the belt off. Its hard to turn at all unless im moving.

 

Would it help to increase caster? or increase caster and camber?

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1983 Firebird
TH700R4 Auto
Small Block 400
LG4 ECM, Intake, Carb, Distributor, etc.
Soon to be non-computer.
Clarion Head Unit 45X4
2 Pioneer 400W 12" Subs
Third Gen Performance
"A four cylinder is half an engine."
"Ponies can run, but birds can fly..."

 

Go bigger, I have 325's out back and they fit mint ... Just joking, 255's look great all around.