Wheel Tech Front wheels turning by themselves

Skaven252 · 11th May 2007, 12:58

I've been running into a strange problem for the last couple of months (I think it started when I switched to summer tyres). Sometimes when I slow down to a stop in the traffic lights, the steering wheel suddenly turns left or right by itself, and has to be resisted by hand if I intend to keep going straight forward.

Someone told me it may be because the wheels' brake force may be assymmetric, and they fixed(?) that at the repair shop, but the problem persists.

It usually only happens on roads where deeper wheel grooves have worn into the asphalt. So, is this just "groove sensitivity" (I don't know the correct term in English), the wheel's edge getting caught on an uneven slope? Is it normal, or should I worry? Anyone else having this?

mes · 11th May 2007, 13:08

hi,

have you made sure that the brakes are all ok. because the front brake calipers seem to be not working properly.

Skaven252 · 11th May 2007, 13:16

Thanks for your reply. I don't know how to check it myself, and they claimed they had "fixed the brake pads" - but if the problem is in the calipers, I guess they just didn't look at them at all?

So, the steering wheel should never turn by itself while braking, even when the car is on a deeply grooved road?

Amnesia · 11th May 2007, 13:21

I have had the same issue since I had the car last March.

The dealership couldn't find a problem and suggested it might be that the front tyre pressures were uneven (even though they were both as per spec). The problem is most pronounced on rough tarmac finishes, and isn't just limited to braking. I can feel the steering 'choose' its own direction when the car is coasting on some occasions....

Mr Lovedog · 11th May 2007, 13:33

This is not an unusual problem at all.

Low profile tyres and larger wheels will always produce this when you drive in ruts in the road.

elfa7 · 11th May 2007, 13:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Lovedog

This is not an unusual problem at all.

Low profile tyres and larger wheels will always produce this when you drive in ruts in the road.

We have some atrocious roads around this area, but I've never had an issue with the steering. Even on motorways, where you get the occasional rut on lane one, no problems whatsoever. Drives straight as an arrow, and the brakes are superb.

TTDegs · 11th May 2007, 14:14

this sort of thing is fairly common - "tramlining" is what it's know as over here.

It only tends to happen at low speed - when the momentum of the car isn't helping it to just ride over the edges of the ruts.

pcr · 11th May 2007, 14:36

Yes, mine does this. The worst aspect of it that I notice is when say a large truck is coming in the opposite direction and the gap is narrow, if I lift off the accelerator then the steering goes loose and vague. Not very pleasant really.

Skaven252 · 11th May 2007, 14:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Lovedog

This is not an unusual problem at all. Low profile tyres and larger wheels will always produce this when you drive in ruts in the road.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TTDegs

this sort of thing is fairly common - "tramlining" is what it's know as over here.

So no worries then? Indeed, I noticed this only when I switched from winter to summer tyres (I got my car in winter). The winter tyres have a higher profile.

czechplastik · 11th May 2007, 16:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skaven252

So no worries then? Indeed, I noticed this only when I switched from winter to summer tyres (I got my car in winter). The winter tyres have a higher profile.

Sounds like you have nothing to worry about, TT explained how 'tramlining' works, I get it daily, its the roads and not your car

sfboy · 11th May 2007, 17:11

Happens to me all the time, at first I thought the my tracking was out, but it is just tramlining. The large wheels definitely help to reduce roll when cornering at high speed though.

czechplastik · 11th May 2007, 17:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfboy

Happens to me all the time, at first I thought the my tracking was out, but it is just tramlining. The large wheels definitely help to reduce roll when cornering at high speed though.

And give more grip...

GHGH · 11th May 2007, 22:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by czechplastik

And give more grip...

And slower acceleration....

repales · 14th May 2007, 19:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skaven252

So no worries then? Indeed, I noticed this only when I switched from winter to summer tyres (I got my car in winter). The winter tyres have a higher profile.

Hi. No need to worrie, its just normal when you have wide tyres like 225/45-17. mine does it. you just have to live with it. And keep enjoyng your car....

sprkeh · 14th May 2007, 19:56

Happens to me alot too, but it is just ruts in the road, just dont let go of the wheel!!!

11th May 2007, 12:58	#1 (permalink)
Skaven252 Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 1st June 2006 Location: Espoo, Finland Posts: 247 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Front wheels turning by themselves I've been running into a strange problem for the last couple of months (I think it started when I switched to summer tyres). Sometimes when I slow down to a stop in the traffic lights, the steering wheel suddenly turns left or right by itself, and has to be resisted by hand if I intend to keep going straight forward. Someone told me it may be because the wheels' brake force may be assymmetric, and they fixed(?) that at the repair shop, but the problem persists. It usually only happens on roads where deeper wheel grooves have worn into the asphalt. So, is this just "groove sensitivity" (I don't know the correct term in English), the wheel's edge getting caught on an uneven slope? Is it normal, or should I worry? Anyone else having this?

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This thread is about: Front wheels turning by themselves, it's in Wheels, Tyres, Suspension and Brakes at the Honda Civic forum Civinfo; I've been running into a strange problem for the last couple of months (I think it started when I switched to summer tyres). Sometimes when ...

11th May 2007, 13:08	#2 (permalink)
mes Valve Cap Join Date: 4th April 2007 Posts: 30 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	hi, have you made sure that the brakes are all ok. because the front brake calipers seem to be not working properly.

11th May 2007, 13:16	#3 (permalink)
Skaven252 Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 1st June 2006 Location: Espoo, Finland Posts: 247 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Thanks for your reply. I don't know how to check it myself, and they claimed they had "fixed the brake pads" - but if the problem is in the calipers, I guess they just didn't look at them at all? So, the steering wheel should never turn by itself while braking, even when the car is on a deeply grooved road?

11th May 2007, 13:21	#4 (permalink)
Amnesia Valve Cap Join Date: 1st April 2007 Location: South Wales Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	I have had the same issue since I had the car last March. The dealership couldn't find a problem and suggested it might be that the front tyre pressures were uneven (even though they were both as per spec). The problem is most pronounced on rough tarmac finishes, and isn't just limited to braking. I can feel the steering 'choose' its own direction when the car is coasting on some occasions....

11th May 2007, 13:33	#5 (permalink)
Mr Lovedog Wheelnut Join Date: 9th August 2006 Location: Canterbury, Kent Posts: 68 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	This is not an unusual problem at all. Low profile tyres and larger wheels will always produce this when you drive in ruts in the road.

11th May 2007, 14:14	#7 (permalink)
TTDegs Super Moderator Civinfo master Join Date: 4th August 2006 Location: Cardiff Posts: 5,638 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	this sort of thing is fairly common - "tramlining" is what it's know as over here. It only tends to happen at low speed - when the momentum of the car isn't helping it to just ride over the edges of the ruts.

11th May 2007, 14:36	#8 (permalink)
pcr Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 5th September 2006 Location: Shropshire Posts: 848 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	Yes, mine does this. The worst aspect of it that I notice is when say a large truck is coming in the opposite direction and the gap is narrow, if I lift off the accelerator then the steering goes loose and vague. Not very pleasant really.

11th May 2007, 17:11	#11 (permalink)
sfboy Wheelnut Join Date: 8th January 2007 Location: UK Posts: 61 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	Happens to me all the time, at first I thought the my tracking was out, but it is just tramlining. The large wheels definitely help to reduce roll when cornering at high speed though.

14th May 2007, 19:56	#15 (permalink)
sprkeh Locking Wheelnut Join Date: 5th May 2007 Location: Gods Own Land - Belfast Posts: 107 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Happens to me alot too, but it is just ruts in the road, just dont let go of the wheel!!!