"Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents" (Ice-man)
12/09/2013 at 00:47 • Filed to: None
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"Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents" (Ice-man)
12/09/2013 at 00:47 • Filed to: None | 0
| 21 |
I drive a 2000 Accord with tyres that are not new but far from old. Here is the issue. Every so often, the car seems to handle like a stiff breeze just blew across the road and the car sways accordingly. Instinctively I check the trees on the side of the road and no, there doesn't seem to be any breeze/wind that strong.
Yes, I know it sounds weird. To more correctly describe how it feels, imagine suddenly driving over those textured roads that have longitudinal grooves. There is a sudden change in grip levels and the car isn't as stable as on smooth asphalt. Now, I am going to rotate the tyres (it is about time for it) and see if it changes anything. But if it doesn't, I'm open to suggestions to poke around and find out what exactly is happening. What I'm describing is a quick slide-like feeling, like sliding a bit while coming out of a corner, except without the slide.
Textured Soy Protein
> Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents
12/09/2013 at 00:50 |
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Does this only happen in winter? Sounds like what happens when you hit a patch of black ice.
Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
> Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents
12/09/2013 at 00:51 |
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Maybe the alignment is off? My mother's van had that issue because, often because she hit the curb on the driveway too fast.
Ian Duer (320b)
> Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents
12/09/2013 at 00:51 |
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Do the tires appear to be worn evenly?
Squid
> Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents
12/09/2013 at 00:51 |
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How often does it happen? Is it on the same section of road? How large is the road crown when it happens? how is your alignment? Is there any noise coming from the suspension? Are the splash guards still in tact under the motor and not flapping around?
It could just be an issue with the road you are driving on or it could be a more sinister alignment issue or it could be an aero issue making the front unstable at speed.
I_AmDeath
> Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents
12/09/2013 at 00:53 |
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If possible jack the car up and check for play in the suspension while your rotating tires.
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I_AmDeath
> Ian Duer (320b)
12/09/2013 at 00:56 |
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If you have a depth gauge take measurements in about four spots of the tire.
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Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents
> Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
12/09/2013 at 01:03 |
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I had an alignment check while getting the current set of tyres. Will get it checked after rotating the tyres.
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Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents
> Squid
12/09/2013 at 01:04 |
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It isn't restricted to a particular stretch of the road. So that is out of the question. There is some noise from the front left wheel which the mechanic said might be a wheel bearing issue. Maybe that is the problem?
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Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents
> Ian Duer (320b)
12/09/2013 at 01:04 |
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Visually there isn't much of a difference between the two front tyres. Would there be such an issue with a difference that isn't even visually identifiable?
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Ian Duer (320b)
> Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents
12/09/2013 at 01:10 |
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Try running your hand across the tire along the axis of the track-width, there can be a "scalloped feel" which could indicate bad alignment or worn bushings.
DailyTurismo
> Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents
12/09/2013 at 01:10 |
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Sounds like a bad case of groove tramlining.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech…
Consider rotating tires and changing air pressure to see if it goes away. I once had a new set of tires that groove tramlined so bad that the manufacturer agree'd to take them back for full credit. Driving over a straight section of grooved freeway in LA was like navigating the corkscrew at Laguna Seca.
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DailyTurismo
> Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents
12/09/2013 at 01:11 |
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If the wheel bearing is bad, definitely replace or adjust it - also you can't get an alignment done properly with a out of spec or bad wheel bearing.
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Ian Duer (320b)
> I_AmDeath
12/09/2013 at 01:11 |
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Not a bad thought. There are guides online that will illuminate what direction of wiggle would indicated a bad tie-rod end etc.
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Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents
> DailyTurismo
12/09/2013 at 01:15 |
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Very interesting. Thanks!
ddavidn
> Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents
12/09/2013 at 01:21 |
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I bet this will be refreshing to hear, but maybe not too much help...
I've had this problem too! I ended up realizing that my alignment was off, and I was overcorrecting when I hit a tiny bump or groove or something (because the steering wheel doesn't line up exactly when the wheels are straight on). But it certainly felt like my car could veer into oncoming traffic at any point it time. Does it always happen above a certain speed? My certain speed was 55. I'm pretty sure the alignment fixed it, along with a tire rotation, but I also replaced my control arms because I was suspicious of them for another, unrelated reason. But I do know exactly what you're describing.
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Squid
> Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents
12/09/2013 at 01:22 |
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A bad wheel bearing could produce excess drag and cause your issue. Do the nascar weave and load up the bearings to see if there is noise, if noise is present then replace the bearing and get an alignment. Fix the problem you know you have then work on identifying if that was the cause of your pull.
tromoly
> DailyTurismo
12/09/2013 at 01:30 |
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That's exactly what I was thinking.
HammerheadFistpunch
> I_AmDeath
12/09/2013 at 02:07 |
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Do this. Jack up each side separately, and then grab the top and bottom of the wheel in the air and attempt to wiggle it (apply alternating pressure top and bottom), if it moves its wheels bearings or a bad steering knuckle joint. Then grab it on each side and wiggle it, if it moves there, its the tie rods. Nothing in either place? Check the rear control arm bushings for leaking fluid or a big greasy mess.
d1ck
> Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents
12/09/2013 at 07:22 |
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My girlfriend's 07 Jeep Compass did this once, and it turned out the pinch bolt for the lower ball joint had rusted away. I took it for a test drive and as soon as I put it in reverse the ball joint came out of the knuckle.
Jeremym19
> Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents
12/09/2013 at 08:51 |
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sounds like a tie rod end bushing
soulboogiehero
> Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents
12/09/2013 at 12:51 |
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Its probably a bad rear wheel bearing. You can find out by jacking up the car and checking for play in the wheels. A bad wheel bearing causes the toe alignment to move in and out. I have a bad bearing in my old Z. No noticeable whine or low droning noise, but it does the whole 'cross wind weave'. Also camber will cause the car to dart from side to side depending the road surface.