I don't get it (rant)

[SilverBeam]

Driving on the freeway, my tires grab every grove, seem, and contour of the road. I drive 70 miles up to LA once or twice a week, where I hit some really bad patches of freeway, and my car can't hold the lane for the life of me. I almost hit someone today when it gripped a bit of patched freeway.

And I dont get it. I'm on 225 Kumo 711s with a treadware of 320. The thing is, in my 7 series, I didn't have a problem with my tires pushing me every which way, and I was on 255 Nitto extremes with 300 treadware. So, on paper, the 7 should have been harder for me to keep straight (might this be steering more than tire related?)

I want to get Kumo MXs when the 711s bite the dust, but if its just going to escalate the problem, I don't know if I want to drop down to a tire that much stickier.

[Hyperion]

Its called feeling the road.

Welcome to driving 101.

[SilverBeam]

No hype, its not feeling the road. Aren who drives an E30 (which feels the road a lot more than my E46) thinks is excessive too. Some damn groove in the freeway almost put me into another car tonight. That's not normal. My dad's 540 (another car where you feel the road a lot more than my E46) doesnt' do this. My mom's 996 (likewise) doesn't do this nearly as much. It's something about my car. Perhaps the tires mixed with the looser steering or something. I dont' know, but its not feeling the road, its being surprised and slapped in the face by the road.

I think its the opposite. I think its the loose steering that is attributed my car being thrown around.

[coleco]

camber to aggressive?

[Jyep]

whatever is causing it would get me nervous everytime I get behind the wheel, would check it out at your local indy asap before something bad happens. Don't take any chances with this.......keep us posted.:confused:

[RobH]

The only time I had a problem that was as bad as what you are describing, my rear shock tower mount was going on one side. Since you car is relatively new, I this is your problem, but if you don't feel that it is the tires, then it has to be suspension related.

[kay]

Wheel alignment?

[Perks]

my explorer does that only on really roungh roads but its not enough to really scare me too much. I just assumed it was caused by my relatively deep tread grooves. My dads S80 does it too and it has really loose steering so I think the steering is the cause on the S80. Might as well get everything checked out.

[SilverBeam]

thanks for the suggestions, I'll bring her in sometime next week.

[SilverStreak]

2 hands on the wheel?

[Rob Levinson]

Troubleshooting questions:

Are you using aftermarket wheels with an odd offset, or excessively large wheel spacers?

Has the car been lowered without an alignment?

Did this condition start suddenly, or with the tires you have now, or was it gradual?

You should check:

1) Wheel alignment.

2) Wear pattern on tires (cupping, uneven, etc.) that will give hints as to other problems.

3) Suspension bushings.

- Rob

[SilverStreak]

My brand new ZHP trams quite a bit, follows the seams, etc... with the OEM 18's...

[on a friday]

hmmmmmm....

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=185308

i'd get that checked out.

[SilverBeam]

Yes, I usually have both hands on the wheel.
The wheels are aftermarket, but without spacers
The tires were under inflated for a while, so the sides are worn a little more than the center
Car doesn't seem out of alignment

I'll bring her in to see if it is something with the suspension.

[Rob Levinson]

Originally posted by SilverBeam
The tires were under inflated for a while, so the sides are worn a little more than the center

If you have the same size on the rear, and the rears are not worn in an unusual way, swap front to rear and see if it's better.



Originally posted by SilverBeam
Car doesn't seem out of alignment

From your description, it sure sounds like it could be!

Alignment problems are not just a pull to the left or right. If you do not have enough toe-in, then the car will dart side to side and follow all sorts of ruts in the road. Sound familiar?

Check the tires first (as above), and then the alignment.

- Rob

[dan330]

I would check the tires out.

I have Kumhos and they seam to tram a lot. Not like what you describe. I got some a test set of Goodrich tires that are less sport and are all season. They are also thiner than the Kumho and are the same size on all 4. They do not tram at all.

[Mblaster]

I run MX's with a camber kit and I don't experience bad tramlining.