S2 tramlining + stability advice?
Discussion
I have a new straight production 944 S2. It is tramlining so strongly that it is hard work to pull back. It is only doing this when the road has depressed tracks from heavy taffic use.
Also it is more stable when accelerating than when cruising.
On the flat the car is surprisingly flickable and holds it's back reasonably well.
Are these normal, have I got a steering or tracking problem?
Also it is more stable when accelerating than when cruising.
On the flat the car is surprisingly flickable and holds it's back reasonably well.
Are these normal, have I got a steering or tracking problem?
I dont run an S2 but my early 2.5 944 and had similar issues. After replacing the front shocks, the lower ball joints and the old Pirelli P6000s it was running on. The tramlining problem ceased. In all honesty I'm not sure which change had the most improvement as they were all done in one go.
Andrew, its very much not normal.
Basically tracking & cambers & tyre pressures are your first check.
Then as interloper says its investigate ball joints (common 944 failing) investigate & perhaps swap tyre type & pos front shocks.
Also Ive had the same on a non porker & its was a shagged steering rack.
My own S2 did it a bit when on aftermarket 17" cup rims with wide rubber, but was much better on the standard rims. The car later needed a pair of wishbones (easier than replacing just the ball joint on an S2) so the problem was perhaps exagerated on the bigger rims.
Basically tracking & cambers & tyre pressures are your first check.
Then as interloper says its investigate ball joints (common 944 failing) investigate & perhaps swap tyre type & pos front shocks.
Also Ive had the same on a non porker & its was a shagged steering rack.
My own S2 did it a bit when on aftermarket 17" cup rims with wide rubber, but was much better on the standard rims. The car later needed a pair of wishbones (easier than replacing just the ball joint on an S2) so the problem was perhaps exagerated on the bigger rims.
If you're talking only about deep ruts caused by HGV's then I think most wide wheeled cars would struggle not to tramline over those.
Simple things to check are tyre pressures correct, have the front tyres worn unevenly ie on the inside or the outside, is the tread low as this will give you more grip in the dry and could follow any imperfections more. Finally are the tyres the correct size - should be 205/55 on the front and 225/50 on the rear.
More stable under acceleration sounds a bit wierd? Ordinarily the front should go a bit light under acceleration as the rear squats down.
Simple things to check are tyre pressures correct, have the front tyres worn unevenly ie on the inside or the outside, is the tread low as this will give you more grip in the dry and could follow any imperfections more. Finally are the tyres the correct size - should be 205/55 on the front and 225/50 on the rear.
More stable under acceleration sounds a bit wierd? Ordinarily the front should go a bit light under acceleration as the rear squats down.
If you decide to install the sport shocks, it will just make the car ride all that much harder.
I had to make a decision on my old '83 928 and '84 944, and decided to go with the Boge gas struts for the 944, which raised the car an inch all around, which I wasn't too thrilled about, and I went with the standard big-a$$ oil shocks on the 928. I'm generally happy I avoided anything stiffer, as the cars both give me all the "feedback" I need (or want). Any increased handling due to sport shocks would have been far overcome with the constant daily pounding of the stiffer setup.
I'd look at the alignment, and also lift each front wheel and pull back and forth to see if you have any play in the wheel bearings. Just a little slop can cause the car to dart.
good luck, P
I had to make a decision on my old '83 928 and '84 944, and decided to go with the Boge gas struts for the 944, which raised the car an inch all around, which I wasn't too thrilled about, and I went with the standard big-a$$ oil shocks on the 928. I'm generally happy I avoided anything stiffer, as the cars both give me all the "feedback" I need (or want). Any increased handling due to sport shocks would have been far overcome with the constant daily pounding of the stiffer setup.
I'd look at the alignment, and also lift each front wheel and pull back and forth to see if you have any play in the wheel bearings. Just a little slop can cause the car to dart.
good luck, P
To the contary I've fitted koni yellow adjustables (standard springs and torsion beams at the mo)and on there softest settings I found them a little too soft. So I know run them a couple of clicks towards hard (there is about 10 clicks betwean hrd and soft).
The ride is in know way jarring and this car is used on some seriously bad roads, actualy it's now quicker on bad roads because it does'nt tram line etc.
But if you're hndling problem is'nt caused by the dampers, changing the dampers won't help at all. It could even make the problem worse !
>> Edited by interloper on Saturday 6th March 09:46
The ride is in know way jarring and this car is used on some seriously bad roads, actualy it's now quicker on bad roads because it does'nt tram line etc.
But if you're hndling problem is'nt caused by the dampers, changing the dampers won't help at all. It could even make the problem worse !
>> Edited by interloper on Saturday 6th March 09:46
tyre pressures set to book and right tyres on car.
front tyres both have wear on inside. I'm going to replace these this week and get tracking done.
From tyre wear seems camber is off 0.00. If possible will get set back. Sussestions on camber setting gratefully recieved. Please bear in mind a lot of my driving is in london where trucks deforming road surface leaving tracks.
Car tries to climb up wall of lorry tracks on roads veering me of course. have to whatch constantly.
Thanks to all for replies. I will update again after tyres replaced and tracking done.
front tyres both have wear on inside. I'm going to replace these this week and get tracking done.
From tyre wear seems camber is off 0.00. If possible will get set back. Sussestions on camber setting gratefully recieved. Please bear in mind a lot of my driving is in london where trucks deforming road surface leaving tracks.
Car tries to climb up wall of lorry tracks on roads veering me of course. have to whatch constantly.
Thanks to all for replies. I will update again after tyres replaced and tracking done.
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