17 inch wheels - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

lownloud · 01-10-2003, 19:11

I have a EL Fairmont with 17 inch wheels and michelin pilots. The car is also lowered 2 inches with King springs and no other mods. What I find is that since I've done this the car tramlines like a bugger......Anyone else have this problem or know how to fix it?
It's gotta be fixable because my mates Au XR8 ute has 17's and no such problem....
Ideas??????

BIGBADAU · 01-10-2003, 19:17

MMM i had the same problem with my AU3 XR Ute, a change of tyres has seem to fix it.

lownloud · 01-10-2003, 19:17

piccy of car.....hopefully it worked this time!

TIKFD6 · 01-11-2003, 03:37

What tyre pressure are you running?

I had the same problem with my 17s when i first put them on, but i an now running 37psi, they are now good.

Rollin · 01-12-2003, 02:41

get a wheel alignment and check the printout they should give you, check your negative camber settings, any more than 1.5 degrees and you will notice tramlining, i have 2 degrees neg camber but only 15" wheels, so its not as big a deal, but i still notice it - tradeoff is the thing turns like a cat on carpet.

also if you dont have enough caster then you will get tramlining, the more caster the more the steering will want to return to centre after turning a corner.

kryzak260 · 01-12-2003, 04:00

excuse me for my ignorance, but what is tramlining?

Im assuming a hesitance to turn or something?

JC-XR8 · 01-12-2003, 04:45

A tram follows tracks (known as tram lines). When a car does this (tramlines) it is like the car is acting as a tram would on the tracks - so yes, a hesitance to turn, or steer.

I have had this problem with one of my cars with 17" wheels - bad wheel alignments (performed by a Ford dealer, of all people) were the cause. New tyres, a camber/caster kit and a good alignment has seen the problem gone for the last 6 months! Hopefully never to return.

Soxx · 01-12-2003, 12:59

Quote:

Originally posted by lownloud
I have a EL Fairmont with 17 inch wheels and michelin pilots. The car is also lowered 2 inches with King springs and no other mods. What I find is that since I've done this the car tramlines like a bugger......Anyone else have this problem or know how to fix it?
It's gotta be fixable because my mates Au XR8 ute has 17's and no such problem....
Ideas??????

Give the tyres around 36psi pressure and get a wheel alignment.
1 degree negative camber, 4 to 5 degrees postive castor, 1mm toe in.

That should fix it.

Rick.

LTDHO · 01-12-2003, 18:22

Up to 36 or down to 36????

I run mine at 44PSI as per the tyre wall.

As previously mentioned have the alinement checked, it sounds like the camber......

Soxx · 01-12-2003, 18:34

Quote:

Originally posted by LTDHO
Up to 36 or down to 36????
I run mine at 44PSI as per the tyre wall.
As previously mentioned have the alinement checked, it sounds like the camber......

44psi is fine, if you don't get any tramlining. Some tyres are more prone to it than others. I used to prefer higher pressure smyself with 60 profile tyres and the like, but with later 45 and 40 profile tyres it's not as neccasary to run shuch high pressure.
I find 36 is quite good for everything on the road. Obviously the track needs higher, such as 44psi.
I also wouldn't use any more than 1 degree negative camber either, it just ain't needed. More positvie castor is better.

Rick.