malaclypse

Hi All -
I recently upgraded the basic suspension components on my 95 VX, including 16x7 rims, 205-40R16 Kumho 712 tires, Eibach Prokit springs, and KYB AGX shocks. The car now handles much better in terms of road-holding and general traction. However, in SoCal the roads are notoriously torn-up, and in situations where the road surface is uneven (especially with a seam running lengthwise along the road) the tires seem to really grab a hold of the discontinuity and track along it, to the extent that it really can turn the steering wheel pretty hard. This especially happens during braking.
Now, the tire dealer said that this was an inevitable consequence of using fatter tires on a light car with no power steering, which seems kind of reasonable. Also, I have seen other posts in which people mention, sort of in passing, things like "you know, that classic Civic grab-the-seam-and-track-it behavior", so it seems like other people experience it too. Is this something I just need to get used to? If you've experienced something similar, what workarounds are there, or what can be done to improve it? (btw, on a perfect road surface, the car handles like a dream, so I'm not inclined to think that there's a fundamental suspension problem).
Anyway, any info appreciated!

PupaScoopa

This is the case with some wide/low profile and specifically directional tires. No workaround for it

malaclypse

Thanks for the reply -
That's kind of what I suspected. I'm wondering though, is there a way to improve it without compromising the handling improvement? For example, my limited knowledge suggests that perhaps less damping (i.e. the springs move more easily) might improve the tracking, but the tradeoff may be unacceptable. Also, if the Kumho's exhibit the behavior strongly, do other tires (Falken?) maybe show it less?

kommon_sense

I would think that a lower tie bar and possibly a z10 traction kit or radius rods would help.

Big Phat R

Get a GOOD alignment.

You will have to deal with tramlining when using high performance tires with stiffer sidewalls (nb. you are running 40 series 205 width tires!!!!!)

Solracer

I would have your alingment checked, if your car has picked up some toe out it will try to follow the groves in the road and such. It could just be a side effect of the tires but I would still have the aligment checkedto see what your tow settings are front and rear.

malaclypse

Ok, that's a good suggestion - I'll have the alignment checked. I did have a computer alignment done after the suspension mods were installed, but who knows. It's entirely possible that they screwed up the toe.

malaclypse

Also, I saw the Z10 radius rods on the hybrid2 site, I was wondering if that might help (that was one of the people who mentioned the tracking behavior sort of in passing). If the alignment doesn't help I'll start looking that direction.
Thanks!

Archidictus

Z10's will make you track worse unless you get the tensions perfectly even on both sides. Pretty sure you'll end up living with the tracking too: all cars with big tires do it.

malaclypse

That's what I figure too. I'll have the toe checked next time I'm in, but like I say on a perfect surface the car handles great. I...can't...break...these...tires...loose! Anyway, thanks everyone for your responses.