Weird driving feel

[Subfixer]

Went for a couple of joy rides the last 2 days and the car acts a little weird.... I think.

Just had the alignment done, using the specs John and Duke have suggested. Got the printout, and everything is perfect.

Car goes straight just fine, but going around corners, it feels a little "twitchy". Almost like the whole rear end is moving around (left to right). It's be almost 2 years since I drove it last and I'm not sure if it's supposed to feel this way or not. Been driving a Suburban where I'm not sitting just ahead of the rear tires.

Every nut, bolt and rubber part in the suspension has been replaced. The only poly parts are the swaybar links. Rechecked the tightness of every fastener. Could it just be the tires not liking the new tight suspension? They are older 205/70-R15 Sears Weatherbeaters.

 

[youwish2bme]

Paul, Weird eh after rebuilding everything mine too sometimes feels a little twitchy like it wants to step out.. Where as before I rebuilt everything back there I didn't have a problem like that....I guess it could be the tires but I've got those 225/50/17's on mine and it sometimes feels the same way... Maybe it's just all the new found power that you have now... Like I say when watchin NASCAR... sometimes you just have to lift going into the corner.... Dave...

 

[BarryK]

you know i know nothing about these cars - I just drive it!
but, this sounds very similar to what mine was doing last year and it turned out to be the spindle(?) bearings in the rear and they had to be replaced. they had been redone during the restoration incorrectly and wore out after only approx 1000 miles and were allowing the rear wheels a lot of extra play. as soon as it was repaired the car felt a lot more solid during turns

 

[IH2LOSE]

Not that my car or suspention is better then yours


But I am running stock spec on the alignment and stock suspention with radial tires.My car always feels secure and predictable.Power on, or power off thru turns,I can feel when she is starting to come around (I am not sure if thats what your calling twitchy) but it takes some pretty spirited driving for it to get out of shape. Now I am not saying banging the gears (I can put it sideways on the slightest turn with the motor) But normal spirited driving it takes alot to get it in a bad way.

I also drive a pick up as a daily driver and the wifes C5 every now and then and the C5 just cant get into trouble with the traction control on no matter what I ask it to do. But your car should feel secure and pretictable with normal driving

Good luck

What are you running for tire presure.I always run on the soft side of pressure enough to keep the sidewalls firm but a good patch of rubber on the road.

If your pressure is too soft you may be feeling some lateral movement in the side walls check all the pressures.

PS Congrats again on the major rebuild How great is it to know what your riding in you built

 

[JohnZ]

Knowing what you've done to the car and how well you've done it, I'd vote for the problem being the tires.

 

[vintagecorvette]

Could the rear end be crooked? oWEN

 

[youwish2bme]

I guess I forgot to ask in my original post... Now you say you had the alignment shop set the specs as Duke and John have posted... Okay but MOST.. alignment shop techs set it to its in the green it's okay... With the print out what is your thrust? I sometimes talk tongue and cheek so my original post was really just trying to point out that you now have about 50 more horses at the rear wheels.. You will get to the limit of your rear tires much quicker... Even if you are not spinning them... Also those old tires might be alot of the problem... Dave..

 

[Sky65]

Car goes straight just fine, but going around corners, it feels a little "twitchy". Almost like the whole rear end is moving around (left to right). It's be almost 2 years since I drove it last and I'm not sure if it's supposed to feel this way or not. Been driving a Suburban where I'm not sitting just ahead of the rear tires.

I had a "step out" feeling on my car when I got it. Seemed to be there sometimes and sometimes not. As I pondered the symptom and continued to drive the car a clunnk shoed up along with the sensation. I decided it was the rear and changed the diff fluid with the correct gm posi additive. Fiixed both the noise and the step out sensation. The rear must have been locking then letting go making the car feel like it was kicking out in the back. What got me was it didn't make any noise at first, just the sensation.

 

[Subfixer]

Probably is the tires.

I get the feel at all driving conditions, either fast or slow. It feels like something moves just a little at initial turn-in and then the car takes a "set" and corners like it's glued to the road. No noise or anything, just a feeling.

I jacked it up and did the checks for a loose spindle (rebuilt by Bair's), no problem there.

Tire pressure is 32# all around.

Checked the sombrero and front diff mounts, all tight.

I'll take another look at the alignment sheet. I know the thrust angle is there, but I don't have the sheet in front of me.

Thanks for the ideas. I'll keep looking.

 

[Mikey1]

I would bet it is the tires....after my rebuild I had the alignment done and still used the old tires....they felt not too well on hard cornering.

With new tires the problem is gone. However, compared to my every day car (Audi) the rear end feels quite loose.