grabbing grooves

[92typhooner]

Ok at a loss. The ty was grabbing groves all over the road and eating up tires. I replaced the ball joints. I also replaced the factory control arm busing with energy suspension bushings. I had a aligment done and the ty is within factory specs. It is still catching groves. I was driving down I10 last night and caught a grove so bad it almost pulled me off the highway at 80mph. Any ideas on what to do?

 

[Ozrein]

Re: crabbing groves

Re: crabbing groves

What size tires are you running? I know that with my Z06 rims on with 255s on the front the truck catches the grooves all over the road, it's not nearly as noticeable with the stock rims and tire size.

*btw: sorry but the title of this thread is probably one of the most confusing titles ever. When I first read the title, I thought you were wanting to go crapping and maybe there's some special 'groves' where craps are common (?), lol.

 

[alwayscode390]

Re: crabbing groves

Re: crabbing groves

Its your tire size.

My z28 runs 325/35/17's in the rear and beefy fronts and it throws me side to side all the time on the highway.

I didnt really notice it until my Caddy spoiled me ... then I hop in the z28 and I go "whoa" ---

 

[SYO237]

Re: grabbing grooves

thread title fixed...

When I first got my truck, it felt like it was all over the place with how the tires grabbed any sort of groove in the road. When I went to a wider rim/tire, it was even worse. Over time, I got used to knowing just how to drive the truck and how it handles to the point where I dont even notice anymore and to me I dont feel it grabbing or trying to wander.

Not sure if there really is anything you can do beyond having a good alignment and just pay attention to your driving. Your tires being eaten is not a result of catching grooves...poor alignment is.

 

[BMFB]

Re: grabbing grooves

well, if by chance the alignment fixed your tire wear problem you could look at your steering shaft, or check your steering box for play. i know thats an issue with these trucks, alot of people replace them with jeep shafts

 

[13Pelle]

Re: grabbing grooves

I changed my steering shaft to a Jeep one and the box to a Z one, mine still wonders all over the road, stock wheels/tire and all. I was told that our trucks wonder due to the wide stance and tires on them.

 

[92typhooner]

Re: grabbing grooves

Im running Zr1 rims with 245/45/17 in the front and in the rear 315/35/17. It just gave me the pucker factor when it almost pulled me off the highway. What kind of jeep shaft should I be looking for? Is it the same as the low profile steering shaft? Thanks for all your help.

 

[bezerk]

Re: grabbing grooves

pitman arm? idler arm, however you call it..

 

[Sy777]

Re: grabbing grooves

A steering stabilizer may help

 

[CAMSTY]

Re: grabbing grooves

I remember a thread just like this a couple years ago, iirc we chalked it up to..... most trucks have this to a degree, and the combo of the awd system and wide front tires make it worse...... I know my truck got worse when I put the C6 wheels and wider tires on it.

 

[JSM]

Re: grabbing grooves

Im running Zr1 rims with 245/45/17 in the front and in the rear 315/35/17. It just gave me the pucker factor when it almost pulled me off the highway. What kind of jeep shaft should I be looking for? Is it the same as the low profile steering shaft? Thanks for all your help.

So your running larger than stock tires, and a stock alignment most likely performed by some shop monkeys that think within spec is close enough.

Good Luck with that!

Now to be more helpful.

Wider tires will grab ruts more, stock GM alignment specs sucked from the factory IMO. GM basically took a 4x4 s10, lowered it, changed tires, changed to AWD, etc and said yep 4x4 alignment specs will work.

We as owners, lower them further, change rims, tires, parts wear some and wonder why it handles worse.

My suggestion for you would be

Caster 7 deg, both sides EQUAL, not close, not within a spec but EQUAL. Soemtimes they try to adjust 1 side more than another to compensate for crown of the road, but have you seen 2 roads have the exact same crown?

Camber 0 deg to -1/4 deg both sides.

Toe in 1/16"-1/8"


I do my own alignments, I have the same size tires. I just drove an average of 125mph for 120 miles, drive it couple times a week, etc. My truck stays in the lanes, no problem.

 

[CAMSTY]

Re: grabbing grooves

Jeff, I want you to do an alignment on my truck I guess i'll add that to the to do list!

 

[JSM]

Re: grabbing grooves

Jeff, I want you to do an alignment on my truck I guess i'll add that to the to do list!

Buy one of these, less than $100 and you can do it yourself. Try different settings, heck even double check things when you wonder whats up.

It is not rocket science.

 

[CAMSTY]

Re: grabbing grooves

Really........whats it called, where can I buy one?

Edit.......it's called a Intercomp Bubble Caster/Camber Gauge w/ Magnetic Adapter. I've found price around $160

 

[92typhooner]

Re: grabbing grooves

So your running larger than stock tires, and a stock alignment most likely performed by some shop monkeys that think within spec is close enough.

Good Luck with that!

Now to be more helpful.

Wider tires will grab ruts more, stock GM alignment specs sucked from the factory IMO. GM basically took a 4x4 s10, lowered it, changed tires, changed to AWD, etc and said yep 4x4 alignment specs will work.

We as owners, lower them further, change rims, tires, parts wear some and wonder why it handles worse.

My suggestion for you would be

Caster 7 deg, both sides EQUAL, not close, not within a spec but EQUAL. Soemtimes they try to adjust 1 side more than another to compensate for crown of the road, but have you seen 2 roads have the exact same crown?

Camber 0 deg to -1/4 deg both sides.

Toe in 1/16"-1/8"


I do my own alignments, I have the same size tires. I just drove an average of 125mph for 120 miles, drive it couple times a week, etc. My truck stays in the lanes, no problem.

Thanks for the information.

 

[bezerk]

Re: grabbing grooves

awesome!

 

[Poconojoe]

Re: grabbing grooves

Make sure your drag link is level and parallel, I don't know how many times I've seen people replace the idler arm and not get it back where it belongs, causing the drag link to be on an angle