Ok, back when I had my 18" rims my car would false steer like crazy. THen i got a crap front upper camber kit. The false steer pretty much went away. I took them off a lil while ago and its back to false steering. My toe SHOULD be fine since i aligned it a million times in class. Then I read the article about NOT needing one. what could this be if not for the camber?? i'm runnin 15's now with 195/50 tires. it also shakes once I get past 70. thanks

 

Please define "false steer" for us.

Would also probably help to list model and year of the car being discussed.

I recently removed the camber kit from my DC2, putting the camber and caster back closer to stock values (+4* caster back to +0.7*, and -4* camber back to -2*). Without the caster, my car tramlines much more, and requires much more steering correction to stay straight (wondering if that's what you mean by false steer), but the lack of crazy bumpsteer that I had with the caster/camber in place is worth it to me.

 

O i'm sorry, i posted that in a hurry. it's a 95 del sol si. and my buddy told me false steer is when I hit a bump, the steering wheel jerks to one side. and when i go to a stop, right before i come to a complete stop if i let go of the steering wheel, it will shoot to one side. and I only have the car mildly lowered

 

Commonly called bumpsteer. Something our cars have very little of stock or lowered, until we start screwing with suspension geometry (as I did adding 3.3* of caster).

Not sure that is a problem. Mine does that at times at very slow speeds when approaching an intersection. I simply assumed it was the rough pavement that always ends up being there from cars braking.

Post up your current alignment settings, as that might give a clue.

Wheel size has nothing to do with any of these symptoms.

However, offset can, as it changes the scrub radius.
Rubbing could also cause these symptoms.

Steering rack bushings in good shape? Tie rod ends? Ball joints? Suspension bushings? Do a basic suspension inspection and post up any issues and your current alignment numbers.

 

I dont remember my numbers. sorry. I'd like to get in the suspension class at the college but that wont be till at least next semester. I have checked my suspension components SEVERAL times and everything moves the way its supposed to. My toe could possibly be off... but I dont have money for an alignment.....

 

well I was reading some other posts and someone brought up that tires have a big effect on bump steer. I have cooper 195/50/15s. anyone ever use these tires?

 

Tires have an affect on "tramlining", which is when the car will follow grooves or other irregularities in the road. If they cut slits in the top of the freeway surface for water in your area, some tires will cause the car to follow those more than other tires would.

But no, tires have nothing at all to do with bumpsteer. That is purely a mechanic effect from the suspension geometry, including wheel offset.

 

hmmmm... ok thanks

 

tuner is correct about that.

 

I'm going to have my ball joints and tie rod ends checked out

 

If I need to replace my ball joints, should I just go ahead and get a camber kit? or just get oem upper control arms?

 

OEM.

Sliding ball joint camber kits are taller than stock. This reduces the suspension travel available, which is something the car is lacking in stock, and much more so once lowered.

Unless you want dented shock towers from UCA contact. Mine are.

 

eww ya i'll do stock