Car jerks to side
#1
Instructor
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Car jerks to side
A few weeks ago, my car hydroplaned a little on the freeway - not enough to move me into another lane, but enough to notice. What was odd is that it was not raining hard, and I wasn't driving very fast. It hasn't rained since then (and probably won't for another 6 months), but I've noticed that when I'm on the freeway and the road changes to a rough surface (for instance when the road suddenly changes to those long thin grooves) the car will jerk a bit to the right or left - kind of like hydroplaning except it's not raining - until I'm back onto a smooth surace. Tire tread was wearing down, so last week I replaced with new tires (a different brand than what was replaced) and got the alignment done. I'm not sure if any of this makes any sense, but the car just seems unsteady to me at times. On a smooth road (hard to find in So Cal) there are no problems. Maybe it's always done that and I'm just noticing it more since the hydroplaning thing, but I thought new tires would've fixed it, but they didn't. Does this seem like something (steering, suspension, etc) or am I just paranoid?? Power steering fluid is a little low - I'll top it off, but I don't think that's it. Thanks
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#3
Senior Moderator
Tires, inflation psi, alignment, all things that would cause it. What kind of tires do you have? what psi are you running? does the wheel pull at all under normal driving?
#4
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The phenomenon is called tram lining. Some brands of tires are more susceptible to it than others. As other people have suggested, adjusting the tire pressure can sometimes make a difference.
#5
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Originally Posted by fsttyms1
Tires, inflation psi, alignment, all things that would cause it. What kind of tires do you have? what psi are you running? does the wheel pull at all under normal driving?
#6
If the power steering fluid is low- look under the car on the steering rack assembly for possible leaks. Check all the hose fittings too.
For real fun, ride a motorcycle on the freeways these days~
For real fun, ride a motorcycle on the freeways these days~
#7
Instructor
Thread Starter
Just replaced Falkens (POS) with Yokohama AVID TRZ. I run 34 PSI typically. Would running a lower or higher PSI help with this?
Doesn't seem to happen in my wifes car (lexus ES 330 w/ toyo proxes tires), and it really didn't seem to happen prior to a few weeks ago (I've been driving on these crap roads for a while), but again, maybe I'm just being more sensitive to it lately. Just wanted to make sure my steering wheel wasn't about to fall off (happened to my father-in-law once! - American car)
Doesn't seem to happen in my wifes car (lexus ES 330 w/ toyo proxes tires), and it really didn't seem to happen prior to a few weeks ago (I've been driving on these crap roads for a while), but again, maybe I'm just being more sensitive to it lately. Just wanted to make sure my steering wheel wasn't about to fall off (happened to my father-in-law once! - American car)
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#8
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Yeah I had a 2007 nissan maxima as a rental last year and it did the same exact thing on the 280 around here.. my 01 CL-S with Tein S-Tech's doesnt do it at all.. its probably the shitty tires and or stock suspension that were causing it on the maxima.. i'd never buy that car
#10
Suzuka Master
My car did it until I got rid of the stock Michelins MXV4's and got Dunlop SP Sport A/S. I keep my pressure at 38psi front and 36rear. I think it has more to do with crappy grooved roads than it does tires alone though.
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