Bump steer anyone?
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Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Brooklyn
Bump steer anyone?
Just curious if everyone’s GS does this? I damn near replaced everything except the steering rack and I heard it can cause a wandering steering. I’m going to replace with new oem bushings but the problem i have is very minor after getting new tires. But if I go over a crowned road or uneven pavement you can feel the car slightly move that way and I have to correct the steering. Some cars track straight even on crowned road, I’m thinking it’s just part of the old school RWD or maybe my rack bushings or rack itself could be worn. If I’m going slow in the streets it’s not that bad but on the highway it is worse.
Bump steer is when your toe angle changes under compression enough to feel a change in direction. It is not an innate problem of these cars in stock form. But yes, if your rack bushings are worn it can definitely cause imprecise steering. As far as how normal it is to wander off the crown of the road... it's pretty normal. Some cars will self-center more than others, yeah. Nothing do with being RWD, just a matter of suspension geometry. Tendency to follow grooves can vary a lot from car to car as well, depending on a number of factors. A car that is designed to have responsive steering is going to, of course, give the driver more feedback through the wheel.
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,088
Likes: 188
From: Brooklyn
Bump steer is when your toe angle changes under compression enough to feel a change in direction. It is not an innate problem of these cars in stock form. But yes, if your rack bushings are worn it can definitely cause imprecise steering. As far as how normal it is to wander off the crown of the road... it's pretty normal. Some cars will self-center more than others, yeah. Nothing do with being RWD, just a matter of suspension geometry. Tendency to follow grooves can vary a lot from car to car as well, depending on a number of factors. A car that is designed to have responsive steering is going to, of course, give the driver more feedback through the wheel.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 599
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From: PA
It's probably a combination of your rack bushings and suspension geometry. To be fair, since I got my GS I've always felt the steering wasn't sensitive enough. The steering ratio just seems so long compared to the other cars I have owned, though the steering feel is unparalleled
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,088
Likes: 188
From: Brooklyn
It's probably a combination of your rack bushings and suspension geometry. To be fair, since I got my GS I've always felt the steering wasn't sensitive enough. The steering ratio just seems so long compared to the other cars I have owned, though the steering feel is unparalleled
Pit Crew
Joined: Sep 2021
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From: AL
The issue you are having sounds like tram tramlining, not bump steer. You may need an alignment, or perhaps the tread on your tires is aggressive. You can also check for loose suspension components by lifting the front end, so the front tires come up off of the ground. Then grab a tire and try turning it forward/backward, then up/down. Any movement/noise is an indication of worn components, such as the 3 ball joints in each side (left/right), wheel bearings, etc.
Is your suspension stock?
Is your suspension stock?
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,088
Likes: 188
From: Brooklyn
The issue you are having sounds like tram tramlining, not bump steer. You may need an alignment, or perhaps the tread on your tires is aggressive. You can also check for loose suspension components by lifting the front end, so the front tires come up off of the ground. Then grab a tire and try turning it forward/backward, then up/down. Any movement/noise is an indication of worn components, such as the 3 ball joints in each side (left/right), wheel bearings, etc.
Is your suspension stock?
Is your suspension stock?
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Brooklyn
Do you think having brand new front tires and rear tires with 15k on them even though they still have plenty of tread can cause this? More rubber on the front so the front might be sitting slightly higher then the rear with less rubber
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Joined: Jan 2020
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From: PA
That alone won't really cause an issue. What could cause an issue is tire pressures. If the rear pressure is lower than the front by a significant amount, it will cause a sort of sloshy, tramlining feel. If you go too high it can also cause a similar effect, like the car is floating.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,088
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From: Brooklyn
That alone won't really cause an issue. What could cause an issue is tire pressures. If the rear pressure is lower than the front by a significant amount, it will cause a sort of sloshy, tramlining feel. If you go too high it can also cause a similar effect, like the car is floating.
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From: NJ
Last edited by QLex300; Apr 10, 2022 at 09:29 AM.
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