370Z handling

HerOuji

hi to all Z lovers

i had a question for years since the day i owned a 370z(2009).

Everytime i drove her, i felt the steering wheel is acting wierd compare to other vehicle. It feels like the steering is moving to its own direction left or right when i enter to some minor uneven road and i have to really keep an eye on my arm because i need to react as soon as the steering turns( it doesnt turn much just a tiny small movement) but if i drive it for a long journey like 1h30mins it really bother me because my arm will be cramp controling the steering. sometimes really annoying.

so i wonder do any of you had experience with these problems? or is there anyway to solve these?

thank in advance

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370z 6MT TG 2009

Limeybastard

Is this not tramlining? I have noticed it ocassionally.

MadChemist

Sounds like an alignment problem, specifically the caster. Just take it to Firestone or a dealer and have them check it for you. It'll set you back around 130 at firestone and more at the dealer.

HerOuji

yes it is but is more sensitive on 370 compare to other vehicle i owned.(i do understand 370z got large and low profile tire) sometimes i really felt it is dangerous. just wonder is there any thing we can do to improve the tramlining?

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370z 6MT TG 2009

HerOuji

thanks for the tips, tommorow i try to send her for alignment.

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370z 6MT TG 2009

YzGyz

Do the lifetime alignment. It's worth it. I think it's like $170 for LIFETIME!!!! You pay that much + in 2 alignments worth. Sport car + tight handling + bumps = alignment more often. Lifetime = you can have it done once a week if you want. It just cost you time.

Limeybastard

I remember on my old bmw m3 days. I went down from 225/45 up front to 205/45 tires and this eliminated all the tramlining.

HerOuji

too sad my country dont have this kind of service.

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370z 6MT TG 2009

HerOuji

my tires need replacement soon. maybe i can try step down on my tire but let see how it goes after my alignment on the caster.

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370z 6MT TG 2009

kenchan

try Continental DW tires. those have virtually no tramlining.

i speak from experience.

06PlatinumG

From Tire Rack website

Tramlining: Coping with the Ruts in the Road

The term "tramlining" is being used to describe when directional control is disrupted by the vehicle's tendency to follow the longitudinal ruts and/or grooves in the road. It's name could be compared to the tram or trolley driver who does not steer because his vehicle follows the path established by the tracks.

Any vehicle can exhibit tramlining on certain areas of the highway because of uneven pavement or severe rutting. And all vehicles tramline to some degree rather than obediently following the driver's steering input. For example, there's usually at least a small change in steering resistance felt through the wheel when crossing an uneven expansion joint or asphalt junction during lane changes.

Noticeable increases in tramlining are frequently uncovered when drivers living in the snowbelt make the seasonal changeover from winter tires to summer tires, or when any driver upgrades the performance of their tires using either the same size or going to a "Plus Size" tire and wheel package. The reason that it becomes more pronounced then is because neither the typically narrower and softer handling winter tires nor the Original Equipment tires generate as much grip or responsiveness as the higher performance summer tires. Since the vehicle's suspension works as a complete package, a higher performance tire will also uncover any previously unnoticed looseness in the rest of the suspension.

Components

Tires have the most direct influence on tramlining because they are the part of the vehicle that comes into contact with the road (and the longitudinal ruts and/or grooves that exist there). Unfortunately anything that increases a high performance tire's responsiveness also increases its willingness to tramline.

High performance tires with short sidewalls that develop lots of cornering power at lower slip angles will be more susceptible to tramlining than standard All-Season passenger tires that develop less cornering force until their slip angle increases. A wider treaded tire will encounter more longitudinal ruts and/or grooves in the road than a narrow treaded tire. A tire with large tread blocks that transmits the driver's input to the road with great precision will also transmit the road's imperfections back to the vehicle's suspension. And because tires become more responsive as their tread depth wears away (which is why tires are shaved for competition and track use), a tire will become more likely to tramline as it wears.

Wheels can influence tramlining as well. Installing wider tires or a "Plus Size" tire and wheel package usually requires using wheels with a different offset then the vehicle's original wheels. In some cases, the new wheel will have slightly less offset than the original and in other cases, slightly more. It all depends on the vehicle's suspension design and available wheelwell clearances. You will even find that Original Equipment manufacturers often use different wheel offsets for their different diameter tire and wheel packages.

Usually the amount of offset change is kept to a minimum and vehicle tracking remains relatively unchanged. However if the offset is significantly different, it will alter the way the road forces are transmitted through the tire and wheel to the suspension. Therefore, large changes in wheel offset will increase the likelihood of tramlining.

Suspension bushings, ball joints and shock absorber mounts have a direct influence on tramlining as well. As miles are driven and the years go by, the suspension's wear parts will deteriorate as they age. This often happens so slowly that it isn't very noticeable. Over time the ever-increasing suspension wear permits play that eventually allows the tire to be directed by the irregularities of the road rather than be controlled by the suspension.

Imagine a worn suspension that allows a front wheel and tire to swing between the recommended 1/16-inch of toe-in and 1/16-inch of toe-out when it encounters a rut in the road. This 1/8-inch difference in the direction that the tire is pointed will result in the vehicle tramlining. Replace the worn part to remove the play and you will significantly reduce or remove the tramlining. Many drivers with higher mileage cars have reported that replacing worn suspension components has eliminated tramlining and made the car drive like it is new again...which I guess it essentially is!

Service Adjustments

Using higher tire pressures than recommended by the vehicle manufacturer for your driving conditions will unnecessarily stiffen the tire and make it even more willing to cause tramlining. If you are running higher tire pressures than necessary, simply dropping the tire pressures to those recommended by the vehicle manufacturer will help reduce tramlining.

Alignment settings can be key as well. The "camber" and "toe" settings both play a role in vehicle stability and the propensity for tramlining. Extreme positive or negative camber settings will make a vehicle more sensitive, especially when only one wheel encounters a longitudinal rut and/or groove at a time. Even if all the tires are "aimed" straight ahead when the vehicle is in motion, a tire that is "cambered" wants to turn. This is the result of the "camber thrust" generated by a leaning tire (it is also part of the explanation of how motorcycles turn). A vehicle suspension using lots of negative camber for competition or the track will experience more tramlining on the street.

Additionally, the drivers who use additional toe-out settings to encourage their vehicle to turn into corners better also encourage tramlining because the extra toe-out will reduce vehicle stability in a straight line.

In the case of the competition driver who uses non-factory alignment settings, the amount of tramlining that is acceptable has to be left up to the driver. For only street-driven cars, getting them aligned with negative camber and toe settings within the factory's specifications is an important first step.

Roads

On a multi-lane highway, usually the left lane offers the smoothest road surface because it sees the least amount of heavy truck traffic. Unfortunately, on many interstate highways, it's not legal to continually drive there (pull right except to pass). While the center lane can be almost as smooth on a six-lane highway, there can be exceptions. For example, in the case of I-94 between Chicago and Milwaukee, you will find that when the road was widened from two to three lanes, the center of the new center lane is on top of the original junction between the earlier two lanes. This means that vehicles traveling in the new center lane have their right hand tires on the original right hand truck lane and their left side tires are on the original left lane. This can cause an uncomfortable feeling for miles. Usually the right hand lanes are the least smooth because they are rutted by heavy truck traffic. When you drive in those lanes, or drive across them to exit the highway, it's possible that you'll find your vehicle may feel like it wants to follow the truck ruts and has a mind of its own.

Driving Style

If you experience tramlining, the main thing you want to remember is to keep both hands on the steering wheel in the proper "9- and 3-o'clock" positions. This will help you make the precise steering inputs that will help keep your vehicle on course. You sacrifice precise control if you drive with one hand on the wheel or both hands in the wrong place.

kenchan

Davey

Big, sticky tires will follow the ruts in the road. It does depend some on tire design but I remember my sport package Z being no worse than my NISMO.

Now, if the alignment (toe, specifically) is out, it may tend to just wander left and right for no apparent reason while driving but that feels different from tramlining where you can FEEL the wheel pulling.

I guess what I'm saying is it wouldn't hurt to get the alignment checked but you might just have to get used to it/get different tires. There is one particular light where my Z tries to drift into the other lane because the highway on-ramps are both in the left lane 1/2 block later and LOTS of semis drive through there and it's very rutted.

1flaguy

I just purchases a 11 Nismo I replaced the tires with Michelin pss and had an alignment. It is better than before but from the research I have found the 370 is just a challenge to drive on uneven or choppy pavement.. I will have to learn to deal with it, no biggie keeps me on my toes.

kenchan

Guess you didn't read my post.