[diver88]

my car handles very well (excellent actually) on smooth pavement but when it comes to slightly uneven or grooved roads it seems to grab and follow the cracks/grooves and seems quite unpredictable. on flat straight road it does not pull either way, runs really straight so I assume the alignment is good and the tires (P-Zeros) might be the culprit.

also, when you hit cracks, expansion joints, and uneven patched road surfaces it seems to sharply jolt and you can feel it in the steering wheel really well. I test drove a GT and didn't get any of that sharp jolt type feeling at all with the same exact tires mine has. I keep my tires at 32PSI but compared with the GT mine feels like it too much air in the tires.

guys that are familiar with front end alignments and such, could a caster/camber, toe in/out adjustments make a car feel like I'm describing? I notice my front wheels look like they are really leaning out at the bottom (noticeable) and the GT I drove with the same tires and wheels the tires looked straight up and down /no leaning out at the bottom. could alignment cause this "jarring" issue? I guess I'm asking if adjustments could improve the ride quality...?

thanks for your help..:bigthumbsup

 

[Siber Express]

Mustangs do not have a Camber adjustment without adding Camber Bolts or Adjustable strut mounts.
My 2010 V6 was the same, when I lowered it I did put in Camber bolts and had it checked, it was well within factory specs while it was borderline with the stock set up.

 

[DBBlackStang]

my car handles very well (excellent actually) on smooth pavement but when it comes to slightly uneven or grooved roads it seems to grab and follow the cracks/grooves and seems quite unpredictable. on flat straight road it does not pull either way, runs really straight so I assume the alignment is good and the tires (P-Zeros) might be the culprit.

also, when you hit cracks, expansion joints, and uneven patched road surfaces it seems to sharply jolt and you can feel it in the steering wheel really well. I test drove a GT and didn't get any of that sharp jolt type feeling at all with the same exact tires mine has. I keep my tires at 32PSI but compared with the GT mine feels like it too much air in the tires.

guys that are familiar with front end alignments and such, could a caster/camber, toe in/out adjustments make a car feel like I'm describing? I notice my front wheels look like they are really leaning out at the bottom (noticeable) and the GT I drove with the same tires and wheels the tires looked straight up and down /no leaning out at the bottom. could alignment cause this "jarring" issue? I guess I'm asking if adjustments could improve the ride quality...?

thanks for your help..:bigthumbsup

Alignment shouldn't effect the ride at all. Also keep in mind that tire pressure increases as the tires heat up.

 

[Blackpenguin69]

Mine follows the cracks too. Hate it. But on a smooth straight road it will go straight for miles without touching the steering wheel. I took my camber bolts out cuz i dont think i even need them and now i make turns like no other.. Love it. Still follows the cracks thoughh

 

[Guest]

Last weekend I put my p-zeros back on and I noticed some of that darty behavior as well. They seem to jump around a bit and there's definitely a lot less grip (235mm vs 255mm). More road noise too. I can't wait until it's Summer (tire season) again.

 

[goodnok]

i think its a car's chasis problem you should have to consult the local mustang dealers to fix it or to a good mechanic

 

[Guest]

It sounds like you guys have a toe-out condition where the front tires point outwards slightly. When this happens, you get great steering feedback and turn-in, at the expense of straight line stability. I believe factory specs call for slight toe-in, this will numb steering response SLIGHTLY but stability will greatly increase.

I've done this back to back and it is a sharp contrast. Also lowering the suspension causes a toe-out condition, just an FYI.

 

[diver88]

It sounds like you guys have a toe-out condition where the front tires point outwards slightly. When this happens, you get great steering feedback and turn-in, at the expense of straight line stability. I believe factory specs call for slight toe-in, this will numb steering response SLIGHTLY but stability will greatly increase.

I've done this back to back and it is a sharp contrast. Also lowering the suspension causes a toe-out condition, just an FYI.

sounds very much like whats going on with me.. I haven't lowered, stock height.

I had my mech last week throw it up on the front end machine and not sure but I think the Camber Specs were 0/+1.5 and mine was a little over the +1.5, he said it was a little aggressive but not enough to mess with. I don't remember him checking or mentioning the toe specs.

thanks, I'll have that checked.:bigthumbsup

 

[Guest]

sounds very much like whats going on with me.. I haven't lowered, stock height.

I had my mech last week throw it up on the front end machine and not sure but I think the Camber Specs were 0/+1.5 and mine was a little over the +1.5, he said it was a little aggressive but not enough to mess with. I don't remember him checking or mentioning the toe specs.

thanks, I'll have that checked.:bigthumbsup

I think you mean -1.5 degrees camber. +1.5 would have the tops of the front tires leaning out of the fenders and would look absurd. For reference here is my car at -1.7 degrees:

 

[diver88]

yea, I'm sure that's it. didn't know what I was talking about, just what I sort of remembered and about 1.7 - 1.8 was what he said about mine.

my mechanic told me not to pay attention to the way it looks after I reverse, he said they really seem to kick out at the bottom after backing up.. I have no idea why but it is what it is and if that's a normal camber for this car it's cool.. now I guess I should check that toe.

thanks..:bigthumbsup

 

[diver88]

I think you mean -1.5 degrees camber. +1.5 would have the tops of the front tires leaning out of the fenders and would look absurd. For reference here is my car at -1.7 degrees:
View attachment 167250

it might be an optical delusion:yelwacko: on my part but it looks like with the wheel straight forward I can visibly see toe out in both front wheels..
from what you said, this is most likely what I'm feeling since the car handles great but is almost unstable feeling going in a straight line when catching uneven road surfaces. I'm sure someone already said no, but might this add to any harshness in ride?

thanks..

 

[sj90]

it might be an optical delusion:yelwacko: on my part but it looks like with the wheel straight forward I can visibly see toe out in both front wheels..
from what you said, this is most likely what I'm feeling since the car handles great but is almost unstable feeling going in a straight line when catching uneven road surfaces. I'm sure someone already said no, but might this add to any harshness in ride?

thanks..

Mine does this too with stock suspension. I've always understood it has a lot to do with the tire and the pressure they're at. Suspension setup may cause this too, but I believe what I'm feeling is caused by the tires on my car. My car is much worse with my summer tires (255 summer only P-Zeros) than with my winters (225 all seasons).

 

[Guest]

it might be an optical delusion:yelwacko: on my part but it looks like with the wheel straight forward I can visibly see toe out in both front wheels..
from what you said, this is most likely what I'm feeling since the car handles great but is almost unstable feeling going in a straight line when catching uneven road surfaces. I'm sure someone already said no, but might this add to any harshness in ride?

thanks..

Even 0.5 degrees toe-out would be enough to cause stability issues but would be damn difficult to nearly impossible to see with your eyes. When you get the alignment checked make sure you/they do a thorough inspection of the tires and go ahead and rotate them as incorrect toe settings will destroy front tires faster than just about anything.