Highway driving - do you make constant corrections or can you relax?

[Scrappycrow]

tramlining... that's the word for it, where it follows the road dips all over.

... or hunts back-and-forth in ruts in the pavement, even if they're so mild they can't legitimately be called "ruts" and are imperceptible to the eye.

Case in point, my '86 BMW 535i when I was stationed at Fairchild AFB near Spokane, WA and would be traveling on the concrete portions of I-90 east of the city (in both easterly and westerly directions). You could see the difference in color/texture in the concrete where the the average vehicles' track had worn into the concrete, but you couldn't really feel any difference in height across the lane (but you could hear it). The car didn't do that on that section if I drove off-center or when it was on the winter set of tires that were only narrower, and never did that on any other set of tires on any road anywhere else in the country in the over 400K I put on the car.

 

[j91z28d1]

... or hunts back-and-forth in ruts in the pavement, even if they're so mild they can't legitimately be called "ruts" and are imperceptible to the eye.

Case in point, my '86 BMW 535i when I was stationed at Fairchild AFB near Spokane, WA and would be traveling on the concrete portions of I-90 east of the city (in both easterly and westerly directions). You could see the difference in color/texture in the concrete where the the average vehicles' track had worn into the concrete, but you couldn't really feel any difference in height across the lane (but you could hear it). The car didn't do that on that section if I drove off-center or when it was on the winter set of tires that were only narrower, and never did that on any other set of tires on any road anywhere else in the country in the over 400K I put on the car.

I had a 3rd Gen camaro that was so bad about following the ruts in asphalt, back in FL they were always bad down by the phosphate pits from the trucks, I could put the tires in them, let go of the wheel and it would just follow them all the way down the road going side to side in the ruts. you'd almost have to fight to get out of them. kinda like these newer cars with the lane centering if you don't use the blinker to change lanes and it thinks you're running off the road haha.

wide tires at the time seemed way worse about it than today's wide low profile tires. but they still do it more than a soft tall side wall like I have on the yukon. that thing doesn't follow anything haha.

 

[91RS]

I really don’t think it’s tramlining. I am very familiar with it because the Michelin Pilot Super Sport was very bad about it as well as at least one other car I can no matter what tire was on it.

I went ahead and bought the 2” drop springs and matching shock extenders for the rear since found the Maxtrac kit for $200. I’m debating heavily on the Fox coilovers because I found them on eBay for less than I found them for last time I was thinking about them.

 

[91RS]

I had a 3rd Gen camaro that was so bad about following the ruts in asphalt, back in FL they were always bad down by the phosphate pits from the trucks, I could put the tires in them, let go of the wheel and it would just follow them all the way down the road going side to side in the ruts. you'd almost have to fight to get out of them. kinda like these newer cars with the lane centering if you don't use the blinker to change lanes and it thinks you're running off the road haha.

wide tires at the time seemed way worse about it than today's wide low profile tires. but they still do it more than a soft tall side wall like I have on the yukon. that thing doesn't follow anything haha.

Funny you say that because I had a 91 Camaro that was the worst about it.

 

[91RS]

I don't think I've seen this mentioned on here, but Energy Suspension makes polyurethane steering gear bushings for these trucks that includes the right bushing. I wonder if it's a nice fit unlike the OEM one and the one from Amazon. I'm not sure if this is a new product or not because it's out-of-stock a lot of places and there are no reviews.

Energy Suspension 3.10103G Rack & Pinion Bushing Set – Energy Suspension

teamenergysuspension.com

 

[Victranzer]

Did you ever get this sorted out? I’m having the exact same issue. And I’ve replaced everything I can think of and gotten 10+ alignments. Current parts replaced:

Front upper control arms with poly bushings and ball joint
Front lower control arms with poly bushings and ball joint
Front hub bearings
Steering rack
Inner and outer tie rods
Front sway bar links with poly bushings
Front magnaride struts/springs/mounts
Rear magnaride shocks with air bags
Rear track bar
Rear upper trailing arms
Rear lower trailing arms
Rear sway bar bushings
Rear sway bar links
All 4 tires
Intermediate shaft
Tightened joint in steering column
Replaced PS pump output orifice from 3GPM to 2GPM

 

[PG01]

@91RS

 

[Bronson357]

I can pretty much just let mine drive down the road unassisted in most cases.
I think you just need a good alignment shop or take it to the dealer and have there alignment guy take a look at it, I figure that is usually the best solution since that's all the do all day long...............
explain your issue and have the alignment guy drive it
if you are doing the alignment yourself that's great an all, but maybe a fresh set of eye's can see something different.

I can let my hands off the wheel several miles at a time stay steady

 

[91RS]

I am not sure if ours is “fixed” because we haven’t taken any long trips, but I do believe it is improved. I did the Fox coilovers, GM rear air shocks from the K2 trucks for 22” wheels, put the stock steering knuckles back in to put the front at stock ride height again, changed the rear springs to Maxtrac 2” drop springs with the matching shock extenders, removed the rear lower control arm relocators, installed the Energy Suspension steering gear bushing - right side only (because I already have the gel filled K2 bushings installed), and did a custom alignment with higher caster.

It still had a vibration so I ended up replacing a bent left rear axle shaft, warrantying three tires, and balancing the wheels four times in a week. I haven’t driven on the highway since the last balance, but the rear brake pulsation is already back even though I machined the rotors when I replaced the axle, so they may just have to be replaced. The vibration was one of my huge issues on the last long trip so this will have to be sorted for me to be happy.

I like the Fox’s a lot, they are definitely more compliant and comfortable than the Mag Ride. They pair well with the feel of the rear GM air shocks and Maxtrac springs. The truck still has the same “character” so don’t buy them expecting it will make your truck feel like a new GLS or something. It doesn’t handle as well but I would definitely put some of that on raising the ride height. I expected this and don’t care. I wasn’t able to quite get the ride height down to stock height. I went a little lower than they told me I could go (I lowered the collars 16 turns), but it doesn’t bottom out even over speed bumps. The passenger front is still the highest as it was with the stock suspension. I do not miss the Mag Ride at all, but this still goes with what I’ve always said, that getting good results from deleting it will cost as much as keeping it. The cheap crap will feel as such.

I definitely think everyone could benefit from the Energy Suspension steering gear bushing. I bought another set of the bushings and I’m going to try and full kit on my 2008 since I haven’t installed the K2 bushings in that gear yet. You can buy them on Autozone and get a 20% off coupon right now.

 

[CMoore711]

That's a sharp looking ride for sure. That Black Ice Metallic paint is kind of rare.

What are the part numbers for the Energy Suspension steering gear bushings you got?

So your suspension set up is stock springs and stock steering knuckles(spindles) up front and you're running Fox Coilovers in the rear, plus GM rear air shocks from K2XX Gen SUV w/ 22" wheels, and Maxtrac rear 2" lowering springs?
How you are running the Fox Coilovers and GM rear air shocks? Got any pictures on how it's all mounted and installed?
Do you still have the rear air auto-ride compressor hooked up to the rear GM air shocks and working?
What model or part number Fox Coilovers are you using in the rear?

 

[rdezs]

175,000 mi on the 2014 Escalade and it drives like new. Suspension is all OEM, the only thing different is Pirelli Scorpion tires. Drives perfectly straight if you take your hands off the wheel for a long time.

It's only had one alignment in its lifetime, that was last year after replacing the calipers, rotors, brake lines, the upper and lower control arms, hubs, tie rod ends and sway bar links.

 

[91RS]

That's a sharp looking ride for sure. That Black Ice Metallic paint is kind of rare.

What are the part numbers for the Energy Suspension steering gear bushings you got?

So your suspension set up is stock springs and stock steering knuckles(spindles) up front and you're running Fox Coilovers in the rear, plus GM rear air shocks from K2XX Gen SUV w/ 22" wheels, and Maxtrac rear 2" lowering springs?
How you are running the Fox Coilovers and GM rear air shocks? Got any pictures on how it's all mounted and installed?
Do you still have the rear air auto-ride compressor hooked up to the rear GM air shocks and working?
What model or part number Fox Coilovers are you using in the rear?

The color and 2WD is why I bought it, even though I knew I shouldn’t have. Now the only original paint left is the liftgate, I’ve replaced most the the truck inside and out, and I’m fixing to go ahead and delete the AFM hardware and just get it over with since I’m buried in it now.

Energy Suspension Bushings: 3.10103G
Fox Coilovers: 985-02-018
Maxtrac: 201220

The coilovers are in the front with the stock knuckles. The rear air auto leveling suspension is still working. That was my hang up with deleting the Mag Ride in the past was I didn’t want to loose the air and wasn’t sure how the feel of the GM shocks would compare to something else in the front. But I finally got so fed up that I was willing to try it. I’m glad I did. I don’t really care about the auto leveling in the 08, but I feel the Auto Ride is much more comfortable than the Mag Ride and don’t really have the desire to change it.

 

[Victranzer]

I think I figured it out!! The upper steering shaft, u joint had no play in it. But the slip joint was seized!!! Even took a 5lb sledgehammer to it and it wouldn’t budge. I replaced it and wandering is gone!!!! I think since steering rack is mounted to the frame and steering wheel to the body when there’s any body roll, unevenness on the road or any small bumps it’s supposed to extend and retract but instead of doing that it was deflecting the shaft and twisting the lower joint causing the tires to change direction slightly but steering wheel never moved. Holy crap I never would’ve guessed that!!!

 

[MarvinVR]

My 2012 requires CONSTANT mini adjusting. It sounds like youve replaced so many things that you essentially have a new truck! I just bought mine w 118K on it but the dealer had just done most of the front end. Can this be part of that stinking stabilitrak thing? Maybe that steering wheel thing for correcting? Cant remember its acronym. Jesus If I had known how many stupid electronics take these out of driver control Id have kept my 90 surburban Oh wait--I hadnt read that you found the culprit

 

[j91z28d1]

it's only on the newer cars with the lane assistant that can steer the vehicle for you that you might have electronics cause any steering issues. I turn all that off in rental cars. you don't even have an electric steering rack. nothing has any control of your steering but you.

unless you have the mag ride shock z95 option, the stability control is just abs and traction control used in ways to try and keep you from rolling the thing over when you over react and yank the wheel around while panick braking.


a good test would be, because I've notice riding it with other people driving very often. if you find yourself correcting all over the road, just try pointing it down the center of the lane and let go of then wheel for a while and see what it does.

I'm like 90% sure this is all pilot-induced oscillations

 

[MarvinVR]

it's only on the newer cars with the lane assistant that can steer the vehicle for you that you might have electronics cause any steering issues. I turn all that off in rental cars. you don't even have an electric steering rack. nothing has any control of your steering but you.

unless you have the mag ride shock z95 option, the stability control is just abs and traction control used in ways to try and keep you from rolling the thing over when you over react and yank the wheel around while panick braking.


a good test would be, because I've notice riding it with other people driving very often. if you find yourself correcting all over the road, just try pointing it down the center of the lane and let go of then wheel for a while and see what it does.

I'm like 90% sure this is all pilot-induced oscillations

I dont wander in all my other cars and trucks tho. HmmmI didnt consider sloppy tire sidewalls--

 

[91RS]

You’re probably thinking of EVO, which can adjust the amount of steering assist. That was only on the 99-02 trucks. These have no “helpers” as far as the steering goes. The Hybrids have electric power steering, but I’m not sure if it is sophisticated enough to help. The K2 trucks and new absolutely do, they use data from sensors all over the truck to help.

As an update to this thread, I have removed the Fox coilovers and gone back to the stock Mag Ride. My main reason was I wanted the money to spend elsewhere. I thought it was silly that I spent that all that money on new Mag Ride shocks plus new front springs, upper mounts, boots, etc. and let them sit in the attic. I wanted to try the Fox’s for years and I did that. They didn’t change the character of the truck like I had hoped, they are softer/more comfortable but at the expensive of handling. If I hadn’t already replaced all of my stock suspension, I would still be using them.

I think most of my problem was the bent rear axle. I ended up replacing both and getting new rear rotors. I also believe the Energy Suspension steering gear bushing made a big difference as well. I also think the front upper control arms had a little to do with it since they had some cracking in the bushings. The truck drives much better, although I do still have a little vibration on the highway. That’s annoying since my 08 is smooth as glass even if I park it for 2 weeks. I am planning to redo the alignment and give it some negative camber and bring the caster back close to factory spec to see what happens. I changed the alignment on the 08 to high caster close to stock camber and didn’t like it, but the 08 is still lowered. I also did buy that power steering pressure reducer someone mentioned in this thread but haven’t tried to install it yet. I think I want to get a used pump to take apart and not risk mine since it isn’t confirmed the kit works on it.

 

[Scrappycrow]

I also believe the Energy Suspension steering gear bushing made a big difference as well.

Was there an increase in NVH from these? I am not opposed to increased NVH if the benefit is greater than the detriment. I have poly, solid, and/or Johnny Joint components amongst my three other vehicles and the tradeoff is worth it in those, but I'm trying to keep my Tahoe as nice of a ride as possible.

 

[91RS]

I could not tell any difference when I put them in my 08. I used the whole kit on the 08 and just the right bushing on the 13 because I have the K2 gel fill mounts and didn’t want to trash them since I just put them in this year.

 

[Scrappycrow]

I could not tell any difference when I put them in my 08. I used the whole kit on the 08 and just the right bushing on the 13 because I have the K2 gel fill mounts and didn’t want to trash them since I just put them in this year.

Thanks! I might look into the K2 mounts as well.