i'm not sure how to explain this...but when i'm driving (most noticeable on hwy) the steering sort of jitters left and right very slightly almost like a vibration. it kind of feels like torque steer... but i'm just cruising and not stepping on it. i have to constantly hold the steering wheel tight. i'm pretty sure that is not normal? is this a wheel alignment issues? tire issue? my base TL auto drove and handled like butter... i barely had to adjust the steering wheel when driving

car info:
stock height 6MT Type S
tires : dunlop sp sport 8000

 

could check the toe settings on the alignment but more than that I would check the tie rod ends. One could be going bad and may give you that feeling.

 

thanks for quick response

i'll take it to the alignment shop to get it checked out. how can you tell if a tie rod end is going bad?
i also noticed that when going into turns there seems to be a lot of body roll... not sure if this issue with the steering is directly affecting this but i know it is not normal...

 

Jack up the front of the car and see if there is "play" in the front wheels. basically, could you turn the wheel slightly without the steering wheel moving or the opposite wheel following? A shop would be able to see if they were bad really easily.

 

Give a read:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=47
Also what model 8000-Load, speed rating and size?

 

thumbsup for my boys taking care of things!

 

Tramlining... that's exactly it!
They're P235/45ZR17 87W

 

Thought so, but make a note, the load rating of the OE Michelin is 93 and the Dunlop is only 87. The 87 would eqaute to a total vehicle loaded weight, 4804 lbs compared to the OE of 5732 lbs. Not that this in itself is dangerous, it's that the tire does not conform to OE minimun standards and being constructed for a lighter vehicle application, if you haven't already, you might want to keep higher than the factory recommended air pressure in the tires. This won't change the "wander" on the roads, but will increase stability.

 

Great info man! Thanks!

These tires are pretty much new but what kind of tires would you suggest? I may get new ones and just sell these ones..the tramlining is no fun

 

also, what if i got bought some tires higher than 93W? would it ride like butter??

 

The tramlining effect is not solely related to a particular tire as many wide tires will cause this condition as stated in the article, regardless of the load rating.

The ride like butter is only as good as the sidewall stiffness. The DWS will afford a soft ride with reduced handling as you can view on the lengthy DWS thread, but the tire is narrow. The new General, although not personally familiar with the tire, the 245/45-17 looks to be one of the widest tread widths at 8.7", similar to the S.4, but can't relate any probability as to the ride characteristics as I've never seen the tire in person. I've said this before, stand the unmounted tire upright and push downward on the tread, some will buckle inward quite a bit, some slightly, while others won't budge and the ride will correspond to the sidewall stiffness.

Don’t notice it very much with the S.4’s on the TL, but our RX7 Turbo with the wide tires will jerk back and forth with the various road conditions. We actually laugh at the condition as we’re driving down the highway and the “ghost” moves the car to one side or another.

At least you know the problem so bear with it and save some money until the tires need replacement.

 

i can afford to get some new tires now (yes it's bugging me that much lol)
i have been looking at the Generals you've mentioned

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....AS03&tab=Sizes

also considering the Hankook Ventus V12 evo K110

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....10XL&tab=Sizes

is there a way to tell how stiff the sidewalls are just by the specs? i don't want to drop money on some new tires and have it tramlining still...

 

Not that I'm aware of as tires are listed with minimum description e.g. steel belts and nylon wraps etc. I still believe that the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S is probably the best tire in 245/45-17, but is expensive. Send Bearcat 94 a PM and ask his opinion of the tires, as he has the Michelin's in 245/45-17.

Just a note, the 8000's are summer only tires with a tread wear rating of only 200 while the Michelin's are A/S tires with a rating 500 @ 2.5 x more. This isn't an industry standard, but a within company discretionary indication of the tread life, but I will say that the longevity with the Michelins are phenomenal.

Another thought is that General Tire is owned by Continental, and being the DWS and the new G-Max AS03are both 24 lbs in the 245/45-17 size, I'd be concerned about the construction of the new tire. Might just be me, but until I physically see the new General, or see replies from true "Motor Heads", I'd hold off.