Front End Wanders at Highway Speeds
11-15-2013, 12:08 PM
#18
Instructor
My 96 C4 was wandering and felt wiggily at highway speeds and above. New tires and an alignment at a shop that knew how to set the kinematic toe corrected it. My alignment was off, so I believe that was most of the problem. If your mechanic looks blank when you mention kinematic toe, find someone else to align the car. Yes, of course the control arm bushings and tie rods need to be good to start with.
11-18-2013, 02:51 AM
#20
Intermediate
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Top of the South
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not sure what size wheels you have but I've noticed that with 18" on these cars there's quite a bit of sensitivity to uneven tyre pressures so need to check regularly.
12-13-2013, 05:14 PM
#22
Advanced
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Sydney, Aust.
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I bought my 96 C4 two years ago and it is my daily driver. Over the past six months, it has begun feeling very loose when driving straight at highway speeds -- it wanders and requires constant correction to keep it going straight. Having been a heavy truck mechanic specializing in front end alignments (MANY years ago), I understand the effects of camber, caster and toe-in, and of worn ball joints and rod ends. I haven't looked at the front suspension of my car, but am about to and am wondering if anyone has any ideas of what might be causing my car to wander the way it does. I'd really appreciate your inputs before I get under the car and take a look. Many thanks.
