Jerky Ride?

[DocG]

Not being familiar with these cars, when I first got mine, I noticed this happening....either hit a rut in the road and it would yank....or when braking hard, and would hit a rut or a high spot or something, it would yank pretty hard. Does it really bad on one stretch of interstate I drive...but I've also seen other cars in front of me yank to the side about a foot in the same spots. Doesn't do it every time I brake hard, just on certain types of messed up roads...so it makes me think there's not majorly wrong with the car other than the 4x4 suspension. Crappy Cincinnati interstates!

Also, would tire pressure have anything to do with it? I know on other cars if the pressure is a bit high....it tends to sway a little more.

 

[stangGT97]

I have 18x9 rims all around. The front are 245/40/18 and the back are 275/35/18. I cant imagine the tire would not be the right size for the rim, and 245's really should not cause to much tracking, so I thought at least

well isnt an 18x9 wheel a little too big for a 245 width tire?

 

[04GT]

In Pa we don't have 'tracking' problems, the whole width of the road is torn apart

OK...what's with the red-faced guy?

 

[Sick96Stang]

well isnt an 18x9 wheel a little too big for a 245 width tire?

I dont think so but IDK If I go with a fatter tire up front though it will probably just make things worse then.

 

[DropTopPony]

I dont think so but IDK If I go with a fatter tire up front though it will probably just make things worse then.

I run 255 on 8.5's in the front. They fit well, i think 245's on a 9" may expose your wheel to scraping damage. If you go wider its not really going to get worse. 245 is already to big to fit in most ruts so 255 or 265 shouldn't make a difference but could save your wheel from damage.

 

[Sick96Stang]

Bring this thread back from the dead. I have some money now to try and fix this damn problem now. Need some suggestions on what size tires I should buy for the front. After reading through this thread again sounds like I should go with a 255/?/18 up front and then get an alignment after that. The "tracking" does not seem to happen on the highway barely ever if at all. Would I need to replace the rear tires also or do those not have anything to do with my problem? Do you guys think that will fix the problem also any other suggestions for things to do if that does not work?

 

[tomustang]

Bring this thread back from the dead. I have some money now to try and fix this damn problem now. Need some suggestions on what size tires I should buy for the front. After reading through this thread again sounds like I should go with a 255/?/18 up front and then get an alignment after that. The "tracking" does not seem to happen on the highway barely ever if at all. Would I need to replace the rear tires also or do those not have anything to do with my problem? Do you guys think that will fix the problem also any other suggestions for things to do if that does not work?

the only thing that will fix the problem is if you change back to the stock rim/tire size, what size are on the rims now?

 

[Sick96Stang]

the only thing that will fix the problem is if you change back to the stock rim/tire size, what size are on the rims now?

My buddy has an 02 GT with 245/?/17 up front and 275/?/17 out back and his does not have this problem. Not sure what size his rims are though all I know is that he has chromed bullits I think they are factory chrome bullits though. Right now I have 245/40/18 up front and 275/35/18 out back.

 

[Miles]

I have 255/45/17 and 275/45/17 in the back, lowered by 2.5", bullitt shocks and struts, strut tower brace and full length subframe connectors, and yes... I do have the same issue.

From what I've read, any changes to suspension can cause 'wheelhop'. The solution is to install a wheelhop kit (steeda makes one for 125 or so).

I'm also thinking about LCA and UCA's to help compensate.

Something to think about..

 

[Sick96Stang]

I have 255/45/17 and 275/45/17 in the back, lowered by 2.5", bullitt shocks and struts, strut tower brace and full length subframe connectors, and yes... I do have the same issue.

From what I've read, any changes to suspension can cause 'wheelhop'. The solution is to install a wheelhop kit (steeda makes one for 125 or so).

I'm also thinking about LCA and UCA's to help compensate.

Something to think about..

Its not wheel hop at least I dont think it is, from my understanding wheel hop is when you are WOT and your tires are trying to grab traction.

 

[tomustang]

Its not wheel hop at least I dont think it is, from my understanding wheel hop is when you are WOT and your tires are trying to grab traction.

yeah i'd still say (like most in here) it's the tracking on the roads, caused by having wider tires, soon enough you get use to it. i'm suprized in your area you have issues like that, do you have heavy trucking in your area?

 

[Stangsgrl]

Yea i don't think 245's will track too much, my Nitto 245s on the front don't track really.
Probably a good start is just getting an alignment. If your toe is off by alot it can cause you to veer in either direction and might be causing you to track more. And new tires would help too probably...is the tread on your tires now worn in a certain pattern?

 

[MoNsTaMaCk24]

GET YOUR CAR CHECKED BY A MECHANIC IF IT WORRIES YOU THAT MUCH! If your not lowered I cant see how your ride quality would DIFFER that much... Im really low and when I went from my stock 17's to my FR500's I realized it was more bumpy and yes car pulls if it gets in like a rut or groove but for your car to actually JERK thats seems like something up front in your suspension... Just get it looked at. Better safe than sorry...

 

[tomustang]

GET YOUR CAR CHECKED BY A MECHANIC IF IT WORRIES YOU THAT MUCH! If your not lowered I cant see how your ride quality would DIFFER that much... Im really low and when I went from my stock 17's to my FR500's I realized it was more bumpy and yes car pulls if it gets in like a rut or groove but for your car to actually JERK thats seems like something up front in your suspension... Just get it looked at. Better safe than sorry...

bumpsteer kit and a smaller sidewall...

 

[Dan D]

My car did the same thing with the stock rims and tires. I switched rims for the winter with taller and skinnier tires and it dosen't happen anymore.

 

[Sick96Stang]

yeah i'd still say (like most in here) it's the tracking on the roads, caused by having wider tires, soon enough you get use to it. i'm suprized in your area you have issues like that, do you have heavy trucking in your area?

I'm pretty sure it is the tracking on the roads, no I dont have much heavy trucking in my area, and I dont see many ruts in the road. It doesn't seem to happen very much on the freeway.

 

[Sick96Stang]

Yea i don't think 245's will track too much, my Nitto 245s on the front don't track really.
Probably a good start is just getting an alignment. If your toe is off by alot it can cause you to veer in either direction and might be causing you to track more. And new tires would help too probably...is the tread on your tires now worn in a certain pattern?

Heres a couple pictures of my tires before I put them on, not sure if this will help at all.

 

[Sick96Stang]

GET YOUR CAR CHECKED BY A MECHANIC IF IT WORRIES YOU THAT MUCH! If your not lowered I cant see how your ride quality would DIFFER that much... Im really low and when I went from my stock 17's to my FR500's I realized it was more bumpy and yes car pulls if it gets in like a rut or groove but for your car to actually JERK thats seems like something up front in your suspension... Just get it looked at. Better safe than sorry...

I am lowered, I have H&R Sport springs w/ uretane isolators. I dont really think its getting caught in a rut unless they are really really tiny ruts because the roads for the most part are pretty smooth out here. It definetely does just jerk me though. I think I will take it down to discount sometime soon and ask them and see if maybe they know what could be causing it. I dont think its anything with my suspension because it started happening right after I put on the new rims and tires. I'm just trying to figure out if there is anyway to fix this without having to get rid of my 18's.

This is a list of all my mods

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/722270/1

 

[RAT]

tramline

Look for info from '03-04 Cobra owners on this subject. I believe there is a TSB out for the Cobra to fix a similar problem using different alignment specs. Cobra's came with wider front tires from the factory.
Truth be known, many frontend parts going bad or wearing can cause this. Wider frt. tires put more stress on the parts also. The Cobra also has better bushings on the frontend, steering rack, A arms, ect. I would inspect the steering rack bushings and replace them with aftermarket pieces. The GT rack bushings are cheesy. Rack bushings are easy to replace too.