Date: Sat, 21 Sep 2002 12:41:31 -0400 From: "Kenneth S." <nimrodnopsams.com> Subject: Re: 900 SE Wander - was Re: Car drifts to the right, normal?
Bob wrote: > > On Fri, 20 Sep 2002 06:09:49 -0400, "Kenneth S." <nimrodnopsams.com> > wrote: > > >Alan Zaza wrote: > > >the fact that the steering is FAR more sensitive to road > >irregularities, like camber and grooves, than any other car I have > >driven. Alignment fixed the drifting to the right problem, but not the > >sensitivity to road irregularities. > > This is a combination of two issues. The first is that wider tires > suffer "groove wander". It's worse the wider they are and the more > worn they are. Some particular tire models seem to do it more. > > The second issue is the toe in. If the toe is set more towards > the "in" side, the car will be more sensitive to irregularities. > At the same time, it will be a little faster to respond. You can > have the toe set closer to the "out" side of the toe spec and > go for less wander if you like. > > You'll need to find a shop that will do this for you. You definitely > want someone with a computerized alignment machine. I'd find an > NTB (national tire and battery) if there's one around you. They > will let you go into the shop and talk to the guy while he does > your car and get it the way you want. They will also display/print > the specs and let you see where the toe is before they do the > alignment and after so you can verify that it is where you want > it. > > Bob Thanks, Bob. I thought my regular garage would have checked the toe-in when I had the alignment done last year. I also thought that they simply set it to manufacturers' specifications, and there was no customer choice involved. Before too long I intend to get two new front tires similar to the Yokohama tires that I bought for the rear from a nearby NTB outlet. I'll raise the toe-in issue then.