Steering tracking problems

[kmack]

I know I don't usually ask too many questions, but every once in awhile I'm just clueless on a few things. This is one of those thingies...

When I'm driving down the road at speed (60-70mph, sometimes more...), I've noticed that the car tends to wander a bit from side to side. Sometimes it does this rather abruptly and sharply. I'm trying to figure out what a possible cause and cure might be. So here's the skinny on my setup:

Tires: 215/60r14 on front, 205/60r14 on back.

Yes I have considered that this might be a possible cause for some of this. I will have new tires (all the same size, 205/60R14) on the car by the end of this month, or hopefully sooner.

Suspension: new strut cartridges, stock springs, new swaybar bushings, new TC rod bushings, new ball joints, new tie rods, control arm bushings replaced w/ adjustable camber bushings, new steering rack bushings, new wheel bearings, hard plastic steering coupler, new alignment (done after the above was installed).

There isn't any noticable "play" in the steering when the car is sitting. Ie: sitting in the driveway turning the steering wheel. I'm in a bit of quandry on this as I plan to start running the car in autoX's and time trials. Anybody have any ideas? TIA...

[2ManyZs]

If it isn't something with the tires, I would guess the front toe needs to be tinkered with a bit. What did they set it at? If they set it to the factory spec it may or may not work well with wider tires. I'd try having it set at 0 toe, just to see if it helps. That's what I always used on the IT car and it always drove nice and straight with no wandering, that was with 14x7 wheels and 225/60 tires. Sometimes the size and width of the tires will require a bit different setting than the stock setting with the tall skinny tires.......

[jwc4248]

I have just developed the same problem, with my 1978 280z. It is word for word the same as yours. I have 215-70r14 goodyears on my car but they have been there for some time now. I have not noticed any play in the steering as of yet. I did replace the front diff mount and torqued all the bolts to spec. This is the only thing since the problem arose. I am clueless to the problem also as yet.

[kmack]

For those that may be following this thread...

I have gotten my new tires on the car and the tracking problem has went away. So I can only chaulk it up to different size tires and different tread designs.

I currently have 250/60 R14 tires on the car. I guess having a 215 series tire compounds the tracking problem due to the larger contact patch.

FWIW....

[24OZ]

I bet your pleased you have been able to shed light on this annoying problem and it is has now been fixed.

Thanks for sharing the solution with us.