Understeering

[93camaro_zzz]

My car has been understeering like a bia these days, and I cant figure it out. Obviously its when i am sprited driving, not just normally. One thing I will tell you is I have 137,000 on my original shocks. So Im not sure if that could cause all of this or not. But here is everything about my car turning, and suspension related:

2001 SS Front Sway Bar.
94 Trans Am rear sway bar.
3.42 posi rear
17x9.5" Zr1's with 275/40 falken tires
1 inch rear drop springs (Eibach)

Other than that its stock. Another thing is I will never buy Falken tires again, they have softer sidewalls thatn my stock Goodyears. And they are a 40 series siderwall. Anyways, when I trun it understeers out of control, so sometimes, I lay into the gas a little, to try to get some oversteer out of it, and nothing happens, it just understeers more. If anyone has any advice I would appreciate it. Also, Im not sure if this is supposed to be in this section or the auto-xing section, but oh well. TIA. ;)

[ October 28, 2004, 03:26 PM: Message edited by: 93camaro_zzz ]

[Dominic]

Our cars understeer from factory, mainly as a safety factor. Changing springrates, tire sizes, and swaybars will all affect how the car handles - even alignment.

However, your car WILL ALWAYS understeer if you enter corners too quickly. Its simply a matter of physics in those scenarios [img]smile.gif[/img] So... If you're not entering the corners too quickly, and its understeering when it shouldn't, it can be fixed,

137K on stock shocks is... not a smart thing to have [img]smile.gif[/img] You should change those for safety reasons alone.

I think most of your problem is driving though. If you're understeering and in a 200hp car and slam on the gas, you just dont have enough power to "swing the rear around". What you need to do instead is brake more and sooner before entering the corner, then apply as firmly to make the rear step out or keep it balanced - depending on what you're trying to accomplish.

Be careful [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Vracer111]

You shocks need to be replaced ASAP! I bought my '98 Camaro with 67,000 miles on it and the stock shock were past dead on it! It won't really cause understeering, but it will affect braking, acceleration, and ride quality. It's more than likely the differential causing the understeering. With the posi you will be getting more grip in the rear, compared to an open differential or regular limited slip. The blown shocks probably are aggrevating problem in conjunction with the posi differential.
Get some good shocks on ASAP! 137k miles on the stock ones is about 100k miles too many - especially with upgraded springs and swaybars!

BTW, Falken makes great performance tires if you get the right one. I would put the Falken Azenis Sports (RT-215) on in a heartbeat if they made the proper size for a 16x8 camaro wheel or 17x9.5 wheel. Those tires run neck and neck with the BFGoodrich G-force KD's for performance while costing half the price! And the sideswalls are stiffer than any other tire I'd had before...you feel every bump or speck of dust on the road with those tires.

P.S. As the previous poster said too, how you drive may be a factor as well! With just the limited upgrades I have on my Camaro it handles great with no understeer (just have upgraded Koni Sport single-adjustable dampers and the Hotchkis Sport sway bar set)...actually I can get it to oversteer. Is the understeering problem something that has is recently developed with your camaro?

[ October 28, 2004, 02:16 AM: Message edited by: Vracer111 ]

[Arctc Wolf]

shocks should be changed for sure. the easiest and cheapest way to reduce understeer is put on a bigger rear swaybar. I have the 1LE 32/21 combo and it works great, for me.

[93camaro_zzz]

First let me thank you guys for the good responses. Now, I would think my rear sway bar is 21mm. It is off of a 94 trans am, cause I bought the whole rear end, including 3.42 gears, disc brakes, and the sway bar attached. Now, I know that almost every manufacturer recommends repLcing the shocks when:

1. They are leaking
2: When jouncing the car, it bounces more than twice
3: After 60,000 miles

Mine only applies to number 3. Hee,hee, I know I need to replace them, but I have not the money to do it right now. I also failed to mention, my car is lowered 1 inch in the rear. But anyways, I have had my car meticulously aligned, cause I work at NTB. Also, I know I cant probably spin the tires loose going 50 or 60 around a corner, but it was my understanding, that if you enter a corner and understeer with a RWD vehicle of at least some power, you lay on the gas, and it shifts most of the weight to the rear tires, taking the weight off the front ones, and allowing more turn in. I dont know, maybe I will find a SAFE road, or old parking lot and experiment some. Thanks again for the replies guys, keep em' coming. ;)

[CamaroRob97]

You only have a 19mm rear.
Why did you only lower the rear? That doesnt help your handling.
Shocks obviously would be a nice replace, but they woudlnt be causing understeer.

Posi wouldnt make your understeer, it will just help you go sideways easier if you get on it [img]smile.gif[/img] .

I really don't think yoru car should be understeering that much, you sure your taking the line?

[V6Bob]

"2001 SS Front Sway Bar.
94 Trans Am rear sway bar.
3.42 posi rear
17x9.5" Zr1's with 275/40 falken tires
1 inch rear drop springs (Eibach)
Other than that its stock"

WARNING. Stiff rear springs, a 19mm rear bar, and the extremely soft stock '95 V6 front springs is a really bad setup. This car should actually oversteer very badly, if everything was in working condition. Something is very wrong here (probably in the front end), and it is likely dangerous.

So the first step is to check every suspension/steering bushing, joint, and fastener very carefully, replacing/tightening any that are worn/loose. Don't drive the car until you've done that. Then replace the shocks.

As a minor point, you simply cannot tune the handling of a car with worn out suspension.

[FunkZ]

Toe-out will promote understeer whereas toe-in will do the opposite. Too much toe-in will make the car feel "twitchy".

Observe any cupping on your front tires? Outside means it's toed-in, inside is toed-out.

Stock camber on the fronts is also slightly positive. Adjusting this to slightly negative helps plant the fronts better. Lowering the front accomplishes this due to the unequal length A-arms.

What size is your front bar?