Just got back from a 600 mile road trip with my car on the expressway. I noticed if i hit a grove in the pavement between lanes my tire on that grove will grab and tug my car that way. If i go off on the white line a bit it will rip me off the side to the shoulder. I'm really thinking it's the ball joints I put on during my build last winter. Could it be the ball joints I put in are just junk and not doing their proper job? Any help or insight is appreciated!
-Thanks
Car is perfectly aligned, new control arm bushings, new tie rod ends, and new sway bar end links.
Well I know my car didnt do it with my stock tires and rims on..but when i went to my 17's the car is pulling all over the place.
Ive noticed this on 3 of my jbodies as soon as I put rims on.
Im sure it has to do with a stiffer tire and larger contact patch.
It did start when I put 225's on the front...
Maybe I should stay away from such a large tire and go down to a 215?
mine all have had 225/45/17's/18's
i ran it with 205/55/16's, and 215/45/17's, it was fine, then put 225/50/16's on the front and it started, so i'm gonna try tires
You think it's the ball joints, but say it's perfectly aligned? If the ball joints are bad, the alignment is no good. The problem you're having sounds like a toe problem. A 10mm change in tire width, especially with that sidewall, isn't going to change much. If anything, going from a 215/45/17 to a 225/50/16 will reduce road feel and pull.
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Well now that you say it, i checked the inside of my tires and yep, toe is bad. Inside is well worn compared to the outside of the tire. The car is perfect when on the rack for alignment. What do I need to check for the toe.
I should be putting new struts/springs/mounts on it, will that correct it, or should I get another alignment after that?
Anytime you disassemble the front suspension you will need an alignment.
I'm really not sure how the toe can be "perfect" if the tires are worn like that. Is it the same on both sides?
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I already went and had the alignment, it does not pull with normal driving, and tires are in straight line. Guessing there wasn't a check for toe or any camber. I'm putting a new suspension setup on it anyways, we'll go from there.
Heh, this front end following groves or cracks in the road happens to me as well. But only when my 235/40/18 falken azenis are on. When I go back to stock 16" size it's gone. Just ma two cents.
Stock rims the car would be fine with me, once i put on 17x7 rims (225/45/17) it would track the road. In my opinion, it is just beause of the larger contact patch you have on the road on all 4 corners.
