Car Unstable Under Full Throttle - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

StlRomAniaN · 02-25-2017, 12:06 PM

All,

I have a bit of a problem, but let me give you the details first. I'm the only owner of my Camaro. I've had my 2010 SS for 8 years now. Relevant modifications to the problem: Lowered on Pedders Xa coilovers, JPSS Black Magic sway bars (28mm front and 32mm rear), and OEM ZL1 wheels (285 front and 305 rear).

The car has driven fine without problems for years and years. However, a few months ago my car started to become very unstable under full throttle no matter what speed I was going. At first, I blamed it on the cold weather, but then I noticed my rear bumper turning black. With that being said, I came to the quick conclusion that my alignment was off. The toe was so bad that it was wearing out the outer 1-2" of my rear tires.

Anyways, I fixed the alignment per Pete's specs (agressive street). The after-alignment specs were right on point. However, the problem persists. It almost feels like the car is skating around in the rear, or that one side raises up while the other side compresses. It's a very strange feeling and a very dangerous problem to have. I can't even enjoy my car's performance because I can't go WOT.

What gives? Unbalanced wheels/tires? A possible suspension problem?

Welker2 · 02-25-2017, 01:12 PM

You said you got the alignment, but did you replace the tires?

StlRomAniaN · 02-25-2017, 01:16 PM

No, the tires weren't replaced. As mentioned, it was only the outer inch or so of the tire and it's just worn down a bit (smooth and not uneven).

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Welker2 · 02-25-2017, 01:24 PM

They may look evenly worn, but they still could be out of balance; I would at least have them checked.

StlRomAniaN · 02-25-2017, 01:34 PM

Have you had a similar experience before? That's what I'm thinking as well. Out of balanced wheels.

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pyroguy · 02-25-2017, 01:50 PM

Wheel balancing is cheap. Get it done if possible. If the tire shop recommends replacement then you probably need new tires. If the problem persists it could be that you have other things broken.

StlRomAniaN · 02-25-2017, 01:51 PM

I fully inspected all the components under the car. Everything is fine so it must be wheel balancing.

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StlRomAniaN · 02-25-2017, 01:52 PM

Thanks guys.

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Welker2 · 02-25-2017, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StlRomAniaN

Have you had a similar experience before? That's what I'm thinking as well. Out of balanced wheels.

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Had a similar problem in the Monte Carlo my wife used to have; rear end felt 'loose' at anything above 50mph, especially under acceleration. Turned out, it was out of alignment and tires/wheels were out of balance. In my case, due to the edge wearing, I replaced the tires, had them balanced and had an alignment done ... problem solved.

Olddudesrule · 02-25-2017, 02:52 PM

I see that you inspected the underside, and I'm assuming you checked on all bushings, specifically the front and rear subframe bushing. I still have to wonder if one or two on one side were bad, it could cause a rear cradle shift so uneven it could cause that type of looseness. Just a thought if the alignment and wheel balance is ruled out.

StlRomAniaN · 02-25-2017, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olddudesrule

I see that you inspected the underside, and I'm assuming you checked on all bushings, specifically the front and rear subframe bushing. I still have to wonder if one or two on one side were bad, it could cause a rear cradle shift so uneven it could cause that type of looseness. Just a thought if the alignment and wheel balance is ruled out.

That's actually a good point. I'll take a second look at all bushings.

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TheFlyingBananaSS · 02-25-2017, 09:08 PM

Wheel balance on big rims cam create big problems. The bigger the rim, the more magnified the issue will be. I had a front wheel off by 1 ounce and it felt like the wheel was going to rip off the car once I hit 70mph. Had it high speed balanced and it's gone!

olblue75 · 02-25-2017, 10:07 PM

And if Toe is out an depending how many miles it was driven you've put a pattern in it and will take a while for it true it self back up if that makes sense??

Jrichards73 · 02-25-2017, 10:19 PM

Mine was a bolt backed out in the toe rod to spindle connection, couldn't see it because the rim was in the way. It allowed the passenger wheel to steer the rear end.

02-25-2017, 12:06 PM	#1
StlRomAniaN Drives: IOM 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: St. Louis Posts: 1,782 View My Garage	Car Unstable Under Full Throttle All, I have a bit of a problem, but let me give you the details first. I'm the only owner of my Camaro. I've had my 2010 SS for 8 years now. Relevant modifications to the problem: Lowered on Pedders Xa coilovers, JPSS Black Magic sway bars (28mm front and 32mm rear), and OEM ZL1 wheels (285 front and 305 rear). The car has driven fine without problems for years and years. However, a few months ago my car started to become very unstable under full throttle no matter what speed I was going. At first, I blamed it on the cold weather, but then I noticed my rear bumper turning black. With that being said, I came to the quick conclusion that my alignment was off. The toe was so bad that it was wearing out the outer 1-2" of my rear tires. Anyways, I fixed the alignment per Pete's specs (agressive street). The after-alignment specs were right on point. However, the problem persists. It almost feels like the car is skating around in the rear, or that one side raises up while the other side compresses. It's a very strange feeling and a very dangerous problem to have. I can't even enjoy my car's performance because I can't go WOT. What gives? Unbalanced wheels/tires? A possible suspension problem? __________________

02-25-2017, 01:12 PM	#2
Welker2 Ret AF, cancer survivor Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS/RS & 2006 Corvette Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Mesquite, NV Posts: 2,741 View My Garage	You said you got the alignment, but did you replace the tires? __________________

02-25-2017, 01:16 PM	#3
StlRomAniaN Drives: IOM 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: St. Louis Posts: 1,782 View My Garage	No, the tires weren't replaced. As mentioned, it was only the outer inch or so of the tire and it's just worn down a bit (smooth and not uneven). Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________

02-25-2017, 01:24 PM	#4
Welker2 Ret AF, cancer survivor Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS/RS & 2006 Corvette Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Mesquite, NV Posts: 2,741 View My Garage	They may look evenly worn, but they still could be out of balance; I would at least have them checked. __________________

02-25-2017, 01:34 PM	#5
StlRomAniaN Drives: IOM 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: St. Louis Posts: 1,782 View My Garage	Have you had a similar experience before? That's what I'm thinking as well. Out of balanced wheels. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________

02-25-2017, 01:50 PM	#6
pyroguy Started#gottalovethatblue Drives: ABM #831 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: TN Posts: 6,954 View My Garage	Wheel balancing is cheap. Get it done if possible. If the tire shop recommends replacement then you probably need new tires. If the problem persists it could be that you have other things broken. __________________ '10 Camaro 2SS/RS \| Aqua Blue #831 of 3,903 \| Silver Stripes Check out my build thread

02-25-2017, 01:51 PM	#7
StlRomAniaN Drives: IOM 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: St. Louis Posts: 1,782 View My Garage	I fully inspected all the components under the car. Everything is fine so it must be wheel balancing. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________

02-25-2017, 01:52 PM	#8
StlRomAniaN Drives: IOM 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: St. Louis Posts: 1,782 View My Garage	Thanks guys. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________

02-25-2017, 02:52 PM	#10
Olddudesrule Resident nomad Drives: 2014 Summit White 1SS/1LE Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 1,765	I see that you inspected the underside, and I'm assuming you checked on all bushings, specifically the front and rear subframe bushing. I still have to wonder if one or two on one side were bad, it could cause a rear cradle shift so uneven it could cause that type of looseness. Just a thought if the alignment and wheel balance is ruled out. __________________ Sold: 2007 Z06 2002 Viper GTS/ACR 2003 Z06 1965 FFR Cobra 2012 Nissan 370Z ADM LSA Stage II, Roto-Fab CAI, Kooks LTH/HFC's, Phastek CC, ported TB, Mishimoto radiator and oil cooler, BC Racing ER Series CO's, JPSS 32mm Black Magic rear bar, JPSS front inserts, R1 Concepts Premier slotted rotors/Goodrich SS lines, Schroth ASM harness, MGW flatstick, Brey-Krause HB, Tuned by NicD, at Cordes Performance Racing.

02-25-2017, 09:08 PM	#12
TheFlyingBananaSS Evil Genius of Chevrolet Drives: 2017 Z06, 2019 XTS, 2013 SS Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: New York Posts: 3,260	Wheel balance on big rims cam create big problems. The bigger the rim, the more magnified the issue will be. I had a front wheel off by 1 ounce and it felt like the wheel was going to rip off the car once I hit 70mph. Had it high speed balanced and it's gone!

02-25-2017, 10:07 PM	#13
olblue75 Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Clarksville Tennesse. Posts: 6,091	And if Toe is out an depending how many miles it was driven you've put a pattern in it and will take a while for it true it self back up if that makes sense?? __________________ Orange Krush II 1LE Front sway bar, Splitter, shocks and struts, Z28 dual mode mufflers, Intake, UCA Bushings, and Toresen 3.91 Diff. 1 piece DSS Drive Shaft, ZL1/C7 Calipers, and 32mm JPSS Rear Bar. ASC race spec splitter and wicker. 6th Gen M017 Wheels. Stainless Works 1 7/8 LTs. DSE and PAFDT Suspension components.

02-25-2017, 10:19 PM	#14
Jrichards73 Drives: 2011 2SS/RS Victory Red Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 921	Mine was a bolt backed out in the toe rod to spindle connection, couldn't see it because the rim was in the way. It allowed the passenger wheel to steer the rear end. __________________ Updates: BTR Stage 2 VVT Cam Kit w/Smith Brothers Trunnions, Fluidampr, RX catch can, B&M Trans pan mod, Kooks Black Headers, Borla S-tunes, Eibach Multi-Pro-R2 coilovers and Swaybars, BMR Full Bushing kit with Toe and Trailing arms, RB Rotors w/EBC Pads, GForce 1400 Axles (now on order). AVH-X5800BHS in Scosche GM5201AB.